Installing running boards from a woman's viewpoint!

TCRNCOB

I got one side of my running boards on today!! I can't belive I did it all by myself. (well I did have to spend some time on the net learning about the different names of the nuts and bolts...) The drivers side took me about 4 hours, not bad for someone who does not know what she was doing!!

This one is after I pulled off the rocker panel, I still needed to take out the tabs under the door.

This one is all the tools I used and the parts that came with the boards.

This is one of the brackets that hold up the running boards.

This is all 3 of the brackets.

Running board on!!! It just slides on and you then tighten up 3 bolts that are underneath the board and at the ends.

YES I KNOW my car is very dirty.... I will give her a bath after I get the other running board on. I had to quit for the night, it got to dark and the bugs were eating me alive.

Day 2... Got the 2nd one on, only took me a little over an hour for this side now that I know what I am doing. The printed directions that come with the running boards are very good with good pictures as long as you know what the different bolts are called!!

A few hints if you ever do this yourself....
1. I don't have a Torx wrench and got some of the nuts to tight, if the carriage bolt is to tight (bottom one on bracket), the square head bolt (the ones under the running board) won't slide into the bracket notch like it should. I know it might sound confusing unless you are doing it (then again maybe not to you guys who understand this stuff).
2. You really need a deep 13mm socket for the square head bolts (thank goodness I have one).
3. The box works for a good ground cover!!

I am having the greatest time learning what I can do with this car.

Theresa

I moved this thread, hoped it worked ok.
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Bob

Great how-to!!

CJ N Shagy

Thanks Theresa
I will make it a sticky
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Gambler

looks pretty much like the same point of view male or female. either way you did a great job on this.

Helichuck · CHF Member Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Posts: 20

Hi HHR People,
Well today starts the battle for my free running boards! I have put 2500 miles on mine with mud flaps on it, and I stll have sand blasted panels just behind the rear door. I am calling the dealer now to try to get them to furnish them under warranty. Wish me luck.

Chuck
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Thanks,
Chuck

Love that HHR

CJ N Shagy

good luck
hope it works out
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Chevy owner since age 14. 40th year. 2.2 LS Auto- 100+ mods and re-mods
2006 HHR of the Year Click here HERE to try our CHAT Room!!!
http://my.prostreetonline.com/member/CJandShagy/

Sean Joseph (Shagy) Krause 11/1/1986- 5/1/2005
Click HERE to view our Son Sean's Memorial with pics, guest book and biography.
Sean and Gpa's, together again. We miss you bud.
Guests, quit reading and click here HERE to join this great group of people!!!

SMOKE

Lots of luck my friend. I tried that route when I knew what was happening too and it was a no go. They charged me cost for the boards and $100 to install. Oh well...had they been on the car when I bought it off the lot, I would have paid for them anyway...so I feel like I'm just out the labor money. Back then there weren't all the great how-to's there are now either.
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CowboyBornLate

I wish you much Luck Chuck! I'm not aware of anyone that has been able to obtain FREE running boards. Some of the dealers sold them at cost others charged full cost plus labor. Let us know what you are able to get worked out....

CBL
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Midnight

My dealer said they are being discontinued. What's up with that???
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Owners Mark & Deb Durtche
Black stubby antenna ,vent visors, CGS intake, stock XM radio, pioneer speakers and sub, front end bra, IMCO muffler, tinted front windows, Buick portholes, running boards, OEM molded mudflaps, Progress lowered springs, lower grille mod, chrome on fender wells and 3 bar grille mod

CowboyBornLate

Never heard that one before!!! I'm not that fond of the running boards myself... but I can see then need for them especially in the colder climates where de-icer is used on roads... I surprisingly don't have much damage on Trigger really and I drive down white rock roads all the time... I just go slowly... lol

CBL
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