Unable to Install Running Boards

I bought Clamber running boards for my 2020 Tundra Crewmax.

The bolts that came with it won’t thread all the way in. They make it about 1/3 to 1/2 way and then become stuck.

I bought some M8x1.25x25mm bolts to check if the manufacturer sent the wrong size but still having the same issue. I also cleaned the inside of the threads with a wire brush.

Here’s a picture of the bolt getting stuck.

Any ideas? Thanks

 

Are you the original owner? I'm wondering if there were steps installed previously and the threads might have gotten boogered up. Did you have bolts in the holes when you went to install yours? There should be some M8x1.25x20 (I think that's the length) bolts in there from the factory. Grab a tap and chase the threads maybe?

BTW I like the screen name #gocubsgo

 

I’m not the original owner. I just bought it certified pre owned from a Toyota dealer. The original bolts that come installed from the factory were not there when I bought it.

I guess a tap and die set would be the best option if they are messed up?

Go cubs!

 

Yep, you can try a thread chaser tap like this.

$14 BILITOOLS M8x1.25 Thread Repair Kit, HSS Drill Helicoil Repair Kit Metric

https://smile.amazon.com/BILITOOLS-...75&sprefix=m8x1.25+chaser,aps,167&sr=8-8&th=1

Go slow and use WD-40 or another oil/lube to slowly work through the threads. You could also get under there with a flashlight and see if there's rust or something else stuck and clear it out with a pick.

Do any of the other holes work with the bolts you have?

 

I’ve got 2 to work. The rear ones are really bad and the bolt will only go in a few turns. Here’s some pics of the inside of those 2- kind of hard to see.

 

Ah, those just look rusty. Hit them with some PB or other penetrating oil and work them slowly with a spare M8x1.25. That's a bummer that the factory bolts were removed. They would have prevented this.

 

Ok- I’ll give that a try. I tried a wire brush to clean them out but guess it wasn’t enough to take care of the rust.

Thanks for the help.

 

If you've got rust inside that area due to the missing bolts, might be the time to spray some Fluid Film or WoolWax inside there first before closing off the area with the bolts. Ounce of prevention and all that.

 

Yup. Tap the bolt holes to clean them up. They look pretty rusty and are probably preventing the bolts from threading in. Use the die, on the bolts only if you have to/ if you tried to force the bolts in just in case you messed up the threads on them.