[StLouisPenguin]

Okay I am ready to start adding some serious options/extras to my E.....so hubby and I are trying to decide if it is feasibe to install the side steps ourselves.....so I need the 411...

1. How hard were they to install?

2. What tools do we need?

3. How long did it take?

4. Advice/techniques.....words of wisdom

5. Will hubby and I end up in divorce court if we attempt this together??? Should I install them by myself?

I know there have been a couple of posts concerning the side steps, but would really like to hear everyone personal experiences.

Thanks a Bunch!

 

[Eazy E]

It is about a 4 out of 10 on how hard it is...If he sends you packing...call me...hows that :shock: I did with another person in about 1.5 hours if that....put the E up on a jack though..so much easier.

I would personally hold out till chrome ones show up which should be soon......if chrome is not your style, that I would bet the used OEM ones would show up FS once some chorme ones appear.........EE

 

[StLouisPenguin]

Eazy E-

Thanks for the response! I have been checking EBay for side steps....and the used ones are just as much as the ones on H and A.....so maybe I will wait a bit. Perhaps I will wait and see if anyone on this board sells theirs....because as internet savy as I am I still haven't purchased from EBay...it's kinda like the worlds biggest garage sale, I am not sure if I want my first purchase to be $200+ and have it come back to bite me in the butt!

 

[1manparty]

Have you downloaded the installation instructions from HandA yet? It shows how to install and what tools are needed. I have not installed yet but it does not look too hard. Probably easier if 2 people do it so one can help hold up the step and the other tighten the bolts. Good luck!

 

[Element]

If you have a high curb or a incline driveway, it really helps with the install. It took me about 2 1/2 hours so i suggest having another set of hands to help you. I don't use the side steps, but it helps my mom and my smaller cousins get in the back easy

 

[E-Rich]

I just got my sides yesterday from H and A. Arrived in 3 days in perfect shape. I had ordered smaller items from them previously, so I was ready to try something big. The installation went smooth. The instructions were clear and I was able to do it alone. I used the 'drive two wheels up on the curb in front of my house' method, and it worked great (Thanks for the tip Element). The only tools I used were a small screwdriver to pry the 5 plastic plugs loose from the botton of the frame, a 13 and 18mm socket, a 13mm box wrench, and a medium size crescent (since I had no 18mm box wrench). Instructions say you need a 17mm combination wrench, but I don't know why...nothing was that size. You should also have a torque wrench to check the tightness.

The steps work great and seem very sturdy. Not that heavy either. I recommend putting on one of the two large nuts toward the rear first, and then the upper-middle small flange bolt in the center. This will hold the step in place while you put on all the other bolts, then tighten everything. A couple of hours should be more than enought time. It was also nice to work on such a clean car (since it just passed the 1000 mile point). Go for it! They look great.

 

[Kayakin' Dan]

I don't know what it is with the E's side steps, but they don't appeal to me even a little bit. But they look real easy if you follow the instructions and put 'em on while the significant other is at work, or the game, or doing the dishes or whatever. That's a one people job, IM(notsofriggin)HO

 

[E-lated]

Looks = OK
Install = easy
functionality = zero (hinders rear seat access and egress)
Too old and tired to remove them

 

[Element]

No Problem E-Rich

 

[Element]

E-Lated,

It's very useful when you have older and younger people comming and going into your "E". Also when you wash your car, it helps when you can step on the side steps and wash the roof. I personally don't use it, but others seem to

 

[E-Rich]

I agree. I got them because my parents had such a hard time getting in, especially the rear seat. My 10 yr old nephew was the first to use them. however. I didn't like the looks at first, but now they are growing on me. And I get alot of compliments on them. Go figure.

 

[GYPSYTDA]

the suggestion of chrome, well i don't like the chrome, gets way too messy at that location.. and i think the color that Honda has available fhe Element to be perfect..

i did get them, they are more ornamental then practical, but they do help for people in the back, or for cleaning or for placing anything on the roof rack, so it has uses.. but overall they are for looks.. and i love the look of mine.

ebay well don't bother with the accessories on ebay there are no deals for the accessories there, i have been checking for the past six months and it has been consistantly not a bargain.. and does not seem for the most part that they are used but seems they are sold from parts businesses.. so at least that is cool.. Above all i would suggest H and A also they have been awesome, service and delivery, plus you have recorse if there are problems by dealing directly rather then through ebay.. realize you are drilling into the vehicle and your car is an investment, so bargain basement is not always the best scenario.

good luck!

 

[E-Rich]

Drilling? If you drilled to put yours on, you did it wrong. The holes are already there. You just remove some plastic plugs.

 

[GYPSYTDA]

sorry i had it installed by the factory, that was an error on my part,.. i just figured it did have drilling, but hey much easier then eh.. thank you for the correction!

 

[E-Rich]

No problem. Natural mistake. That's the beauty of buying parts for the E yourself. You save on the discounted price, get full instructions (at least from H and A) and most of the authorized accessories have been 'pre-formated', so to speak. That is, the holes are ready, electrical/electronic plugs are already in the vehicle, etc. Plus you can look over the installation instructions before you buy to decide if you can handle the job. It almost makes up for the fact that most of these things should have come with the car in the first place! Especially in the EX. I love the car, but it wasn't really that cheap for all the things they left out.

 

[Element]

I wish the side-steps, keyless entry and the alarm system all came factory installed instead of letting the dealer do it. It's all the goughing they do to my car gets me upset :shock: