Aries Nerf Bars install Q's

JohnLee1988 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008, 03:50 AM

So I finally got my Aries 4" deluxe oval tubes today. I installed them but I have a few problems. I have 12 nuts left over, I didn't use any of them is that normal? I sorta tightened my bolts in to tight and warped a couple of washer locks so they're really expanded and might fall off in the future? Do you think Lowes or Home Depot might sell extra washer locks of the same size, or do I even need those washer locks? BTW it took me 6 hours in 40 degree weather with rain and those instructions SUCK! Anyways any answer would be helpful thank you.

Songdog · #2 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008, 04:23 AM

Don't worry about the nuts. There is nothing special about the washers so replacements from the hardware store are fine. Mine showed up missing a flat washer so I went to Lowes and got one. The instructions do suck, but you need to follow the instruction about retightening the bolts after a few days of driving. Enjoy the new bars, they make a world of difference.

JohnLee1988 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008, 04:53 AM

Ahh thank god i don't need the nuts, I was staring at them for like 30 min thinking where they would go haha. In my question I was reguarding the washer LOCKS not the washers themselves. Another thing came to mind... the washers are suppose to bend a little as you screw the bolts in right? Thank you for the reply.

JohnLee1988 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008, 06:12 PM

Where did all the Aries owners go!!?

Songdog · #5 (**permalink**) 02-24-2008, 12:11 AM

If you are talking about the lock washers (the little split ring things) there is nothing different or special about them. Take one of the bolts into a hardware store and find a new one that fits. Yes, the washers bent on mine too.

johns019 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 05:51 PM

I installed mine today - my problem is that they interfere with the mud flaps that came on my Tundra. The mud flaps are now pushed forward - but I don't want to remove them

chixdigit · #7 (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johns019

I installed mine today - my problem is that they interfere with the mud flaps that came on my Tundra. The mud flaps are now pushed forward - but I don't want to remove them

My deluxe ovals are installed on my truck and they do NOT push my mud flaps forward. I'm betting you have some of the mounts mounted backwards, and that is messing you up. I'll go take a picture of how my mounts look and post it here for you in a few minutes.

chixdigit · #8 (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 06:24 PM

Just in case you can't tell from the pictures, the front 2 mounts should face backwards (the support part under the nerf bar), and the rear mount should face forward. Is that how yours are?

johns019 · #9 (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chixdigit

Just in case you can't tell from the pictures, the front 2 mounts should face backwards (the support part under the nerf bar), and the rear mount should face forward. Is that how yours are?

Here is their picture - but mine push the flaps forward at the curved part. I have the CrewMax - maybe that is part of what is wrong??

chixdigit · #10 (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 06:48 PM

It looks like your truck is a Double Cab... Do you mean that you have the Aries bars for the Crew Max? If so, that is definitely your problem.. You need the bars that are made for the Double Cab.

johns019 · #11 (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 07:00 PM

No - Sorry - this is their picture from their website.
I have a CM and bought tubes for a CM - hopefully thats what I got.
Just copied their pic to show you what the tubes look like.

jrdavis65 · #12 (**permalink**) 07-21-2008, 02:04 PM

Don't worry about the nuts....mine came the same way.
As to the bars pushing the mud flaps forward......it has got to be the a mis-mounted mounting bracket. I have to look extra close at the insturctions before I caught the fact that one of the brakets is mounted opposite the other two.

BTW.... Had these bars for about a year and still LOVE them. Get lots of compliments on how they look on the truck. (Pyrite DC, Ltd, 4x4)

ggoug · #13 (**permalink**) 07-21-2008, 02:28 PM

Please let me know if the directions you received with your bars is the same as follows. I wrote new instructions for Aries - they said they were going to use them. If the instructions that follow are the ones you recieved - I failed! I had hoped to make it easier for those who purchased the bars after me. My bars are an essential add-on, my 92 year old father in law can now get in the truck (not to mention my somewhat younger wife).

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

ARIES SIDE BAR PART #222013/222013-2
2007 TOYOTA TUNDRA CREWMAX

Parts list

# of items Part Name

(2) Side Tubes with steps (see illustration on back)
(2) Front mounting bracket (see illustration on back)
(2) Center mounting bracket (see illustration on back)
(2) Rear mounting bracket (see illustration on back)
(12) 3/8”x1” hex head bolts
(12) 3/8” SAE flat washers
(12) 8mm x 30mm 1.25 pitch hex head bolts
(12) 8mm flat washers
(12) 8mm lock washers

PROCEEDURE (Read ALL the instructions before you start).

1. Unpack tubes and check for damage; notify your vendor if any is found.
2. Lay tubes on the floor opposite each other so that the threaded holes (“Nutserts”) on each tube are directly across from those of the adjacent tube (one tube should be the mirror image of the other.)
3. Using the diagram on the back of this page, start with the PASSENGER side bar and lay the brackets on the floor opposite the Nutserts mounting holes in the bar. Make sure that the tabs on the brackets that will mount to the truck’s rocker panel are oriented as shown on the diagram.
4. Do the same for the DRIVER’s side bar.
5. Double check your layout as follows: the front brackets and the front Nutsert mounting holes should be approximately 13” from the FRONT of the bar; the middle brackets and Nutsert mounting holes should be approximately 35” from the FRONT of the bar; the rear brackets and Nutsert mounting holes should be approximately 79” from the FRONT of the bar (approximately 15 ½” from the REAR of bar).
6. Your truck’s rocker panel has threaded mounting holes for the 8mm bolts. These holes may be filled plastic plugs or a short bolt (requiring a 12mm socket to remove). Remove plugs/bolts starting with the front. Note that the front mounting holes are uniquely further apart than the rest of the mounting holes to the rear. Using the measurements in #15 above, locate and remove the plugs/bolts that correspond with the bracket location.
7. Starting with the PASSENGER side: attach the Front, Center and Rear mount brackets to the existing holes in the rocker panel using the 8mm bolt fitted with the lock washer then the flat washer. DO NOT TIGHTEN!

8. Attach the Passenger side tube to the brackets using the 3/8” SAE bolts fitted with the 3/8” SAE flat washers.
9. If the mounting holes on the truck, the brackets and the Nutserts in the bar are all aligned, tighten bolts (no more than 20 ft-lbs on 3/8” and no more than 15 ft-lbs on 8mm).
10. Repeat this process for Driver’s side of truck.

NOTE: It is advisable to use a non-hardening thread sealant on all bolts and to re-check all bolts for tightness after one week.

You can now put the stool away that your partner used to get into the truck.

johns019 · #14 (**permalink**) 07-21-2008, 06:16 PM

Those are nothing like the directions that come with the bars

Would have saved me a lot of time though.
I had the bars on the opposite sides that they should have been on.
The picture makes it look like the longer section (after the step) should be to the front, but that is not right. the section of the tubes that have the longest distance between holes goes to the rear. The picture does show that - but I was looking at the length after the step

Went on real easy once I had them on the correct side.

chixdigit · #15 (**permalink**) 07-22-2008, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johns019

Those are nothing like the directions that come with the bars

Would have saved me a lot of time though.
I had the bars on the opposite sides that they should have been on.
The picture makes it look like the longer section (after the step) should be to the front, but that is not right. the section of the tubes that have the longest distance between holes goes to the rear. The picture does show that - but I was looking at the length after the step

Went on real easy once I had them on the correct side.

That really makes me mad that their directions are sooo misleading...
The picture that came with my bars for my Double Cab was totally misleading also, and even the "drawing" of the bracket directions in the picture was off!!
ARIES, your directions suck!
You need to hire/ pay ggoug to write you some helpful directions for your Double Cab steps also!! Hell, you need to pay ggoug for doing your job on the Crew Max steps!
(I hope they heard me...)
Kudo's to you for the effort and concern on helping others out with better directions ggoug...