[jmanb]

Hey everyone,

I installed some nerf bars on my 2011 truck. They hook into the mounts for the cab. Problem is after I tighten the bolts, within a couple of days they start to make a creaking noise mostly when I come to a stop. Unfortunately I don't have a decent torque wrench but the instructions that came with the nerf bars said to torque to about 75lbs. I've tried that and I've tried tighter. Same result. Anyone else have this problem and if so, how did you get rid of it?

Thanks!

 

[mfleetwood]

Try loosening all the nuts/bolts slightly so that the bar gets back to it's natural position. Then re-tighten each bolt in stages (like a headbolts vs lugnuts) so that they tighten back up as evenly as possible. Not sure if it will work for you but I had the same problem with the creaking and continual tightening did not help. However, after I tried this (about a year ago), the creaking went away and has not come back, knock on wood.

If you try this, please let us know if it worked. I'm curious to know if this is a helpful suggestion.

 

[jmanb]

Hey thanks for the tip. Tried that and I think it's working. I got a hold of a torque wrench as well and think I had the bolts too tight. One key to what you said was to let them settle in a more natural spot. There is a slot in the mounting plate so that you can adjust them in and out. I had them pushed all the way to one side. When I centered them and torqued them to the correct place, it seems to have solved the problem (at least for now). I may have to re-torque them in a day or two but if that doesn't work, will let you know. Thanks!

 

[mfleetwood]

Thanks for the update....glad it is working so far; and yes, please update if things start to creak again. I hope you end up as fortunate as I and the creak doesn't come back.

 

[Rockstarrchevy81]

Thanks for the update....glad it is working so far; and yes, please update if things start to creak again. I hope you end up as fortunate as I and the creak doesn't come back.

Yeah i have one side on my N Fabs that are creeking when i go in and out it's on the passenger side. When i installed them one of the bolt's wasn't right and i think that's the problem. I'll just get under there one day and replace it and see if that work's because the other side has not a creak what so ever..

 

[BigBlueLB756]

MAKE SURE you're not having any contact between the nerf bar flanges and the body mount cups. You might need to insert large washers between the bars and the body for clearance before you torque the bolts.

 

[troutbug]

MAKE SURE you're not having any contact between the nerf bar flanges and the body mount cups. You might need to insert large washers between the bars and the body for clearance before you torque the bolts.

Ditto on what BigBlue said. This is exactly what I had to do to mine 3 years ago and I haven't had a problem since.

 

[jmanb]

Ditto on what BigBlue said. This is exactly what I had to do to mine 3 years ago and I haven't had a problem since.

Interesting. The bars came with spacers for the fronts and nothing for the back mounts. The spacers were crap. They were just pieces of round tube that were not even cut straight. I replaced them with some thick washers in front but have nothing between the bar bracket and the flanges. If they start making noise again, I'll put washers in there to. Thanks for the tip!

 

[jmanb]

Added washers and seems to have solved the problem. Thanks!

 

[jmanb]

Update: still having this problem. I think that the metal plates built into the body mount cups got bent out of shape when I used the cheap 1/16" round tube spacers that came with the nerf bars. Recommend anyone installing these just buy some large washers for spacers and not use the ones that come with the bars. Thinking now that I'll need to buy new body mount cups if I can't get these to flatten out.