westin running board removal

Tucker0074 · 04-03-2012, 05:25 PM

looking to remove my westin running boards and go under the truck, turns out half the bolt you cant get to with a wrench. anybody got tips for removing these other then cutting them off? thanks. mine are mounted to the frame of my 2000 xlt 4 door

airgus · 04-03-2012, 07:20 PM

This is a pretty easy thing to do, but rust is the enemy. Spray all the mounting points down with wd-40 before doing this. First, get a socket extender, and unbolt the single bolt on the front mount that secures it to the frame. It is much easier when you unbolt the westin in the front and then take the mount off. The mount will slide backwards about a foot and will slide off from on top of the frame. The second mount is much more difficult. First, unbolt the small bolt on the back-topside of the mount that secures it to the frame. Once this is completed, the hard part begins. You will need a ratchet strap to wrap around the axle. You will then run the ratchet part of the strap to the 3/4in hole that is in on the frame behind the tire. You will then need to cinch the strap down as tight as possible (to what you think is safe). This will prevent the strut from shifting way out of its mount when the pin that holds the strut in its mount and the west in to the frame is pulled out partially. Once that is done, slowly start to unbolt the large bolt on the face of the mount. Every 5 or so turns, take a hammer and pound it back to its seated position so that it doesn't thread its way out of the back hole. Once the back bolt is off, slowly start to tap the bolt out of its housing. When it is about 3/4's of the way out stop, and the westin should come rite off. If this process is done without the strap, you will have a serious "OH SHIT" moment, because it will be nearly impossible to get the strut to realign with both holes. To get the strut to move in minor increments, take a big flat head screwdriver and drive it between the strut and the housing to get it to move down. Once the hole is aligned, pound the pin back through and make sure the nut is seated in its proper fashion (check opposite side). Then repeat for the other side. You will also need to jack the car up in the rear and on the frame rail in front of the front strut mount.

Tucker0074 · 04-03-2012, 11:04 PM

Thank you man. Turns out the rust was my enemy but I got them out. Thanks for your help man

O.G. · 04-08-2012, 10:40 AM

Sounds complicated.

04-03-2012, 05:25 PM	#1
Tucker0074 Wannabe Elite Explorer Lubbock texas 00 XLT Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 31 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	westin running board removal looking to remove my westin running boards and go under the truck, turns out half the bolt you cant get to with a wrench. anybody got tips for removing these other then cutting them off? thanks. mine are mounted to the frame of my 2000 xlt 4 door __________________ My Explorer

04-03-2012, 11:04 PM	#3
Tucker0074 Wannabe Elite Explorer Lubbock texas 00 XLT Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 31 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Thank you man. Turns out the rust was my enemy but I got them out. Thanks for your help man __________________ My Explorer

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04-03-2012, 07:20 PM	#2
airgus Wannabe Elite Explorer The SOUTH 1997 xlt Explorer Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 7 Vehicle Specs	This is a pretty easy thing to do, but rust is the enemy. Spray all the mounting points down with wd-40 before doing this. First, get a socket extender, and unbolt the single bolt on the front mount that secures it to the frame. It is much easier when you unbolt the westin in the front and then take the mount off. The mount will slide backwards about a foot and will slide off from on top of the frame. The second mount is much more difficult. First, unbolt the small bolt on the back-topside of the mount that secures it to the frame. Once this is completed, the hard part begins. You will need a ratchet strap to wrap around the axle. You will then run the ratchet part of the strap to the 3/4in hole that is in on the frame behind the tire. You will then need to cinch the strap down as tight as possible (to what you think is safe). This will prevent the strut from shifting way out of its mount when the pin that holds the strut in its mount and the west in to the frame is pulled out partially. Once that is done, slowly start to unbolt the large bolt on the face of the mount. Every 5 or so turns, take a hammer and pound it back to its seated position so that it doesn't thread its way out of the back hole. Once the back bolt is off, slowly start to tap the bolt out of its housing. When it is about 3/4's of the way out stop, and the westin should come rite off. If this process is done without the strap, you will have a serious "OH SHIT" moment, because it will be nearly impossible to get the strut to realign with both holes. To get the strut to move in minor increments, take a big flat head screwdriver and drive it between the strut and the housing to get it to move down. Once the hole is aligned, pound the pin back through and make sure the nut is seated in its proper fashion (check opposite side). Then repeat for the other side. You will also need to jack the car up in the rear and on the frame rail in front of the front strut mount.

04-08-2012, 10:40 AM	#4
O.G. Wannabe Elite Explorer Missouri, south of St. Louis Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 28 Vehicle Specs	Sounds complicated.