Amp Research powersteps fitment problem

[JimmyJam26]

Hi all hoping someone here has solved this problem already,

I just installed Amp Research powersteps on my 2018 crew cab and they are hitting the pinch welds and getting stuck is there some adjusting to them past the bouncing on the steps as is said in the instructions really dont want to grind the pinch welds if i dont have too

thanks for the help

Jim

EDIT: got them fitting right with the bounce method 4-5 times per side and a little filing of the plastic end caps
Post 14 has the official procedure from AMP

 

[naumaa1]

I've installed a few on them onto rams, mine included. I've had to jump on every one after installation to get them to clear the pinch welds. If/when they get stuck behind the pinch weld, I used a plastic tool between the board and pinch weld then open the door. Once open 3-5 good bounces by each of the 4 brackets and haven't had a problem yet

 

[JimmyJam26]

thanks did you loosen up the mounts at all before bouncing on them? also was going to try a dead blow hammer or would you just stick to bouncing

 

[Graygoose]

yes, stand, or lightly jump on it to help align it.

 

[Tim Garceau]

Notch and paint to protect against vibration/corrosion or if any large mammals are climbing in often.

If she ain’t 280, she ain’t a lady.

 

[smoothee]

If/when they get stuck behind the pinch weld, I used a plastic tool between the board and pinch weld then open the door. Once open 3-5 good bounces by each of the 4 brackets and haven't had a problem yet

This

 

[WilliamS]

I had a larger friend jump several time to them. If you ain’t moving the truck your not doing it right. It took a few tries to get them to stop jamming and they never jammed again. You really got to get your weight moving. Just avoid sharp stomping just bounce them and it’ll stop. Only fun part is getting them out so you can jump on them.

I’ve installed on 2 trucks, had to do this on both.

 

[Pull Ya]

Somehow I just can't imagine the instructions saying something like,"Have one of your fat friends jump up and down on the steps till it works properly".
Jay

 

[buddy guy]

he said large, not fat could be a muscly bouncer!

 

[Pull Ya]

"Bouncer" is the key word---LOL
Jay

 

[Graygoose]

Somehow I just can't imagine the instructions saying something like,"Have one of your fat friends jump up and down on the steps till it works properly".
Jay

The guys that did my RBP install said they sell a ton of the AMP, stated this is only an issue on the Rams. Its not any fault of AMP, but the Ram pinch welds.
Why they loved the Rolling Big Power, they fit perfect, without the Big Boy Hustle needed.

 

[Quick_Shifter]

I’m 210 my buddy is 230 we walked up and down? Bounced rocked and did everything humanly possible with spacers and engineering thoughts. No other way around cutting the pinch welds on my truck

 

[JimmyJam26]

Thanks guys, the bouncing and adjusting the pinch weld bolts worked of course I had to do the process at least 4 times but it all worked out.

I also filed the plastic end cap just a little bit to gain the last bit of clearance needed

thanks again for the help

 

[JimmyJam26]

in case anyone wanted to know this is the instructions i got from amp for getting them adjusted

"In the case of a new installation for the 2010 and newer Ram vehicles, there is a specific seating process for the running boards. It's one of the last items in the instructions manual. It might not be as well illustrated as it could be, but this is what the process entails:

1. Place the boards in their fully deployed position. In most cases, it may be easier to remove the motors from the motor linkages to allow the steps to fully deploy, and proceed with the rest of the process.
2. Verify that the pinch weld holes are lining up with the holes for the linkages. You may need to enlarge the holes in the pinch weld if they do not line up or are catching the bolt threads as you install the steps.
3. Verify that the rear of the running board is flush with the rear linkage. If it is not, adjust the running board forward so that the end cap is flush with the linkage.
4. Make sure that ALL HARDWARE IS TIGHTENED PROPERLY.
5. Have someone walk the length of the board, taking bouncing steps or shifting their weight up and down as they walk. DO NOT JUMP on the running boards. Only shift your weight up and down while moving the entire length of the running board, like you are performing a suspension check.
6. With the boards still in the down position, loosen the button head Torx head bolts that go through the pinch weld. DO NOT loosen the hex head bolts on the back of the rocker panel. Then, either have someone sit on the center of the board or put some weight on the center of the board. While there is weight on the board, retighten the button head bolts going through the pinch weld.
7. Remove the weight from the board, and try moving the board up to the completely stowed position. Check to see if the board clears the pinch weld. If it clears, reinstall the motors and complete the installation. In some cases where the pinch weld is more uneven, you may need to do this complete procedure a second or third time. If the step still does not clear the pinch weld after several seating attempts, please continue on to Step 8.
8. With the boards still deployed, use a dead blow or mallet to gently tap the pinch weld away (towards the outside of the truck) from the steps, allowing the board to stow behind the pinch weld of the vehicle. You should use a wooden block between the mallet and the pinch weld to keep from damaging the paint.

This procedure is generally for contact issues with the pinch weld, and more often than not will resolve the contact issues. The Ram vehicles tend to have an irregular pinch weld, so if this process is not performed there could be clearance issues."

 

[crash]

sorry for the old thread resurrection. thanks for post 14 JimmyJam26. I finally got around to installing them (after 3 yrs sitting in my garage) on my 1500 crew. no matter what I tried I couldn't get them to totally clear. my instructions don't mention anything about removing the motors but I thought about this laying in bed last night. having no motor to restrict movement would be so much easier. going to try this today.
I still don't understand how having the top hardware of the linkages TIGHT and only those button head hex bolts loose allows enough play for the bouncing adjustment but I'll try it. one last thing is that I have to go over all of my hardware. I have 8 small black washers left over. I thought they were to mount the step boards to the linkages but they aren't. I'm not sure where they should have gone.
the instructions are worse than Ikea instructions.