Installing Steps - Mounting holes not lining up

I'm trying to install Havoc HS2 steps on my new 2021. I tried for close to an hour today trying to get these on. I have put steps on my last 3 Jeeps, Tundra, and my wife's 4Runner and never took more than 20 min. On both the driver and passenger side, I either can get the front 2 bolts in or the back 2, but not both. The bolt hole in the bracket is covering about 1/3 of the hole. Any suggestions?

 

Looks like you've encountered the extreme ends of manufacturing tolerances. All pieces may be built the same ou are always going to be off by a hair here and there, your truck may be a hair long and your steps a hair short.

Assuming you can't bend the brackets a little to reach I personally if I had to have those steps would use my dremel to hog out the holes a little bit and use a larger fender washer and call it a day.

Otherwise return for an exchange and hope they line up a little better.

If they don't then do the hogging and washers.

 

I don't think I can get the brackets to bend. I'm going to reach out to Havoc before I go the dermal route. I have a 5 year old that needs steps to get in and out. I don't necessarily need these, but will need some kind of steps for now.

 

those will fit, get all the screws in at 2-3 threads/ tuns each before you hammer down on the tightening. I have seen worse.

 

This is with all the other bolts in just enough so they don't fall out. I can't get the holes in the last 2 to line up enough to get them started. I gave up after an hour of trying. Will try once again tomorrow

 

Take a philips screw driver, put it in one of the holes and push it at a angle, this will force it into alignment. Then just run the other bolt in, remove screw driver and put in the last bolt.

 

Are there additional bolts from the bracket to the step, like the oem steps? If there are, loosen them as well.

 

just ream the hole a little bit, easy to do and done it before, had to on my bed stiffeners and they knew about it...not a big deal

 

There are 6 bolts total. I'm getting the 2 middle in just started with 2 or 3 turns, just so the bott doesnt fall out. Do the same with the rear holes then cant get the front bracket to line up. If I put 2 in the front bracket, cant get the rear to line up.

 

I gotcha. I thought maybe they were like the OEM steps that have bolts as pictured below.

 

OP,

Sorry this is happening to you. I would also go back and check your truck (Year / Model), confirm what year / model the steps are for and then check the documentation. It is very possible they sent you the wrong steps. Depending on where you bought from, they sometimes get returns and mix up the brackets in the boxes. Happened to me once. I got the steps but the brackets were for the wrong year. They had to send a whole replacement unit (steps and brackets) because those things are packed in kits and they can't break them out.

Might not be your problem ... and everyone here has more experience than I do and I would also follow the methods suggested ... but worth double checking / triple checking to make sure you have the right brackets and the right steps.

 

The brackets are welded on. I'm going to give it another try this weekend. I sent pictures to Havoc and they agree its not lining up right. The suggested to see if I'm able to get the front and rear bolts in, then see if it lines up with the middle holes.

 

If you are sure these are the correct ones for your truck. 3 Options, send them back, bend the brackets or use a die grinder and elongate the holes a touch.

 

Did you have the brackets hanging on the bolt heads when you tried this. That usually gives you a lot of slop to play with.

 

I did. Going to give it another shot after work this afternoon. I recruited a little more help with holding them up while trying to get bolts in.

 

Good luck, Chuck. You may have to do a bit of mod, or send them back. My steps rusted after 6 months and they sent me a new set.

 

I just got them on. I'll get a picture in the daylight over the weekend. I had a little more help holding them this afternoon. I was able to use a bar between the frame and bracket and push just enough to get the bolt in. I have the HS2 steps. They are advertised as powder coated stainless steel. Shouldnt have any rust issues unless at the welds.

 

Agree. I installed the Havoc steps on my 2018 long bed. Just start each bolt loosely. Then tighten each bolt a little at a time going from one bolt to the next. Keep doing that until they are all tight.

 

Got them on after using a bar pushed between the mount and the truck to push over just enough to get the bolts in.

 

Here they are