Hello everyone. I just got a set of Westin nerf bars in the mail to put on my brand new 06 CC LBZ. I'm confused about re-torqueing the cab bolts. I read on an earlier thread the cab bolts should be torqued to 55 ft-lbs but the Westin instructions state the factory bolts should be torqued to 100 ft-lbs and the replacements cab bolts (for 05 and older) to 65 ft-lbs. Since the instructions call for the 06 model year to use the existing factory cab bolts instead of the included replacement bolts, do I torque them to 55ft-lbs, 65 ft-lbs or 100 ft-lbs?

Thanks in advance for the help!

I installed the bars from a 2005 onto a 2006 using the 2006 bolts, I would like the correct torque as well, I used the 2005 specs but am getting creaking sounds as if the cab has movement thank you

There is a torque spec?? On the ones sold to my father in law for his truck there was no mention of a torque spec. Someone fill me in, I think I need to adjust some bolts!!

I also had no idea the bolts were to be torqued, I just made sure they were tight and so far no problems..

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one confused about this. Someone mentioned earlier that overtightening the bolts could crush the rubber bushings. Hopefully someone will chime in soon with an answer!

I got the factory GM step bars from the dealer when I bought my truck. According to the instruction sheet that came with them, the cab bolts should be torqued to 60-65 ft.lbs. This is from the OFFICAL GM accessories install sheet. Has to be right! :rolleyes: (This is using orginial bolts)

I torqued mine to 65, per the instruction sheet from NASTA. A friend checked with a service guy at a local dealer...the service guy didn't know, they just always got them real tight. He then pulled the manual and did look it up and it said 55. I rechecked my bolts the day after installation and the two rear bolts had loosened a little...still had the torque wrench set at 65, so I re-torqued back to that setting. I haven't checked them since....been about 10 days. I'll probably check again this weekend.

I torqued mine to 65, per the instruction sheet from NASTA. A friend checked with a service guy at a local dealer...the service guy didn't know, they just always got them real tight. He then pulled the manual and did look it up and it said 55. I rechecked my bolts the day after installation and the two rear bolts had loosened a little...still had the torque wrench set at 65, so I re-torqued back to that setting. I haven't checked them since....been about 10 days. I'll probably check again this weekend.

This is good info to know, guys. Thanks for doing the research. However, [naughty, naughty] you shouldn't leave your torque wrench set at anything but zero when you're not using it. ;)

Thanks for the info. guess I have some work to re-do now.

I torqued mine to 55 ft-lbs. I guess I'll know they weren't tight enough if the cab falls off the truck!

I installed the bars from a 2005 onto a 2006 using the 2006 bolts

Me too. Torque? about 2.5 setting on the Ingersol gun. Somewhere around where they were on the '05 for 38k miles. Don't have any problems...

I did not torque them to 65 because I thought it was too much. No problems so far.

This is good info to know, guys. Thanks for doing the research. However, [naughty, naughty] you shouldn't leave your torque wrench set at anything but zero when you're not using it. ;)

It all depends on what Torque wrench you have.

If you have a click type torque wrench & the body is round, then it has a coil spring in it, and yes it should be backed off after using it.

If you have one that uses a rectangular body, it has a tuning fork in it, & does not need to be backed off.

Hope this helps all tool users out there, this does not apply dial, electronic or the old torsion beam pointer type torque wrenches.

I installed the bars from a 2005 onto a 2006 using the 2006 bolts, I would like the correct torque as well, I used the 2005 specs but am getting creaking sounds as if the cab has movement thank you

I had same creaking sound. I had to take pasanger front bolt out and grind down mount it was rubing against frame when body had any bounce.