Running Board Brackets

Mike in NRN IN

Mike in NRN IN

Senior Member
I am in no way putting my car in Fine Point judging - hence this question.

When replacing the front running board brackets are the 'replacement bolts' a suitable substitute for riviets?

I had to remove the brackets as they have suffered fatigue breaks at the top hole and were barely being held on with the two lower rivets.

It was easy enough to grind off the rivet heads and pull the bracket.

Thoughts on the replacement bolts are greatly appreciated.

I do realize that a full, body off restoration would make the process much easier, but I'm not there yet. Getting closer with every bolt I remove though.

:D
 
Because of the localized stress I would use at least a grade 5 and probably a grade 8 bolt. You can calculate it by using the weight of the person stepping on the running board and multiplying it by the length of the lever arm. Because of the other bracket taking some of the load as well as the fender, I would reduce the calculated load by maybe a factor of 4 to get close. I don't remember the allowable stress values for each of the materials but they are fairly easy to find. On my coupe both sides were broken and I had to replace the brackets. In addition I added a washer to the bolt head and the nut to spread the stress. I am pretty sure that this was overkill.

Vic
 
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