WTF? Stupid cheap tube steps

[Richard Kolb]

So WTF? I had my westin tube steps linexed so they'd stop rusting. I went to put them back on tonight and somehow I broke the weld that holds the nut in for the bolt that holds the tube to the bracket. I was testing the hole when I was doing this to make sure I could get the bolt in, so now the tube is off the bracket with an f-ing bolt sticking out of it that I can't get off. Since the weld broke it just spins and spins. Any ideas? The only one I have is to cut the bolt out and try to reweld the nut in place. That'd really f-up the linex I just had put on them.

 

[Dale Paris]

Rich,

you just found out why I have always said that Westin was junk.



Sorry about the problem, but besides welding it in place not much will work.

Maybe JB Weld?

 

[Peter Vincent]

I bought my truck in December and put a Westin Bar on the front and it is rusted almost through already...POS

 

[C B]

Does anyone have any experience with the Westin Bed Extenders? Are they junk too?

 

[William Washington]

I'm surprised to hear this. I had Westin Step Bars on my Ranger for 8 years and they were solid to the end. Oh well!:unsure:



Of course I live in Cali. maybe the weather makes a diff.

 

[Daniel Park 2]

Yea I have a westin Grill gaurd (Black) and I've had it for 3 years with out any problems, or rust.

 

[Chet 02]

Same here. It's been about 2 1/2 years since I got my grill guard (Westin) and I have had no problems at all so far.

 

[Jeff C]

Chet, are you just goin back and forth between here and Wayne's site, like me, lol.

 

[Chet 02]

Yeah...I'm addicted to both...lol

 

[Richard Kolb]

I really don't need opinions on the quality, but ideas on how to fix it. I think weather does make a difference, if you don't get road salt you probably dont' rust as much.



-edit-



and to clarify, I didn't buy these they came on the truck when I bought it used.

 

[Daniel Park 2]

obviously you need to get them re-welding, you can go to a shop and get them spot welded on, a place near me does each spot weld for $10.

 

[Richard Kolb]

Yeah, because obviously I thought of that already and didn't think it would mess up the linex I just paid to have put on it.

 

[Jim Reeves]

(In response to CB's questionHad my Bed Extender for 3 years with no problems. It still looks new, but it's not steel, so rust shouldn't be a problem. It's held up quite well, and got it for less than half what the local Ford dealer wanted.



[Broken External Image]:

 

[C B]

BigBearCarolina - Thanks for the info on the Westin bed extender. I'll be looking for one for an '07. I know the Westin version will probably get in the way of the tiny storage bins but the stock Ford bed extender doesn't look like it provides very good access either.

 

[Richard Kolb]

Well, we fixed them last night. We tried to dimple the collar of the nut to hold it in place, that didn't work, so we drilled a hole through the collar and inserted a nail into it. That held it enough to take out the bolt and it'll hold it enough to put it back on the truck.

 

[Gavin Allan]

TIG (or heliarc) welding would be the best. Lowest amount of heat required.