Power Running Board Removal

[ExpXLT07]

Hey everyone, I have an 08 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer with power running boards. They don’t work anymore, and due to rust on the drivers side the driver side has fallen off entirely, leaving behind only the mount and the motor. (Attached image for clarity)

Since it’s rust related I can’t replace it with even a basic step since there’s no longer anywhere to mount one so I’m looking for a guide on how to remove both steps completely from both sides.
Any pointers?

 

[J_C]

Failing other ideas, I think I'd jack it up and take the bolts out.

 

[ExpXLT07]

Failing other ideas, I think I'd jack it up and take the bolts out.

I just took another look, and yeah that’d be about it. I didn’t realize the bolts by the motors were the only thing holding it up since the side that fell off is so rusty and “incorrect” looking it made it look a lot more complicated than it is

 

[94Eddie]

Also, don't throw them away. These running boards command a lot of money used and when parting them out.

 

[J_C]

Depending on mileage, it might be worth it to have the rusted areas repaired.

I got a few more years out of my '98 having rocker panels, doglegs, and the inner support rail replaced (that one had to be fabbed from scratch), cost $1770 (fully finished including paint) though this was in 2010 dollars... and now a dozen years later they're rusting through again. Oh well, cost to do that again exceeds my '98's value (once the market settles down again) but maybe not for your '08.

 

[ExpXLT07]

Depending on mileage, it might be worth it to have the rusted areas repaired.

I got a few more years out of my '98 having rocker panels, doglegs, and the inner support rail replaced (that one had to be fabbed from scratch), cost $1770 though this was in 2010 dollars... and now a dozen years later they're rusting through again. Oh well, cost to do that again exceeds my '98's value (once the market settles down again) but maybe not your '08.

It’s sitting at 275,000mi right now, so honestly I’m happy with how it looks as is for that mileage. It isn’t the prettiest one out there but for it’s mileage it’s held up extremely well.