Help Installing Aluminum running boards on E70

[HudsonE92]

I have done some searching around on this topic and haven't found a great DIY on this. My wife has a 2007 X5 and i wanted to upgrade the looks of it by adding the aluminum running boards. I purchased the boards from a local dealer at a good price but they wanted 4-5 hours worth of labor for install. I said screw that, i will attempt on my own.

I have the instructions, but have some questions.

1) Is it necessary to punch the rivets in on the rear fenders? or can i just use this tool and pull out?

Amazon.com: Auto-Body Technician's Best Friend - No-Scratch Trim and Molding Removal Tool Kit Set: Home Improvement

2) If i use the tool, can i reuse those rivets? I read somewhere that people punching the rivets back in using this tool:

Amazon.com: Klik Plastic Rivet Setter with Pouch: Home Improvement

a) Is this tool really needed? or can i push them back in by hand.

3) I know there are a bunch of screws on the bottom of the running board that need to be removed but How do you get them out? they look like they could be turned counter clock wise? i didnt see a place to use a screw driver.

Any help is appreciated.

[blue dragon]

You punch out the old rivets, they are not reusable. The existing rivets are holding the wheel arches, you need to remove those so that the running boards can fit under. You will need the tool to set the new rivets, you cannot set them by hand. I did the same retrofit, it took me about two hours.
There are some rivets that are pop rivets under the car. I used a flat head screwdriver for those.

[HudsonE92]

Originally Posted by blue dragon

You punch out the old rivets, they are not reusable. The existing rivets are holding the wheel arches, you need to remove those so that the running boards can fit under. You will need the tool to set the new rivets, you cannot set them by hand. I did the same retrofit, it took me about two hours.
There are some rivets that are pop rivets under the car. I used a flat head screwdriver for those.

Thanks for the info.

Ok so i should order the rivet tool. And the old rivets cannot be reused? does the kit come with new ones? i havent had a chance to check yet.

The screws on the bottom, didnt really seem to have a place to pry them.. Only look like i can turn them . They sorta look like outverted flat head screws.

[blue dragon]

I don't remember, since I did the fender flares at the same time.

[mavic1010]

The rivets underneath the running boards just pop off and can be re-used. You just need to get something underneath it so you have leverage. As for the fender flares, I didn't need to remove them to install my running boards.

[HudsonE92]

^ Oh ok. Thanks for the info.

[Craigmitch]

I just completed this last Saturday. I have the sport package with 20" wheels and flares. The entire process took me about 4 hours - 3 for the first side, and 1 for the second . I shopped around locally and found the kit for $330.

A few tips i picked up:

The instructions show to remove 2 rivets in the rear fender flares, but you should remove 3 to give yourself enough room to get the running board connector out/back in.

You also need to remove 2 rivets in the front - there is a small lip that fits inside the top of the running board.

The large connectors in the bottom can be easily removed with a pair of needlenose pliers - just pull straight down, and new ones are included in the kit.

When you remove the old trim, quite a few of the panel connectors will break and remain in the car. A panel trim remover comes in handy here. I picked one up at the auto parts store for $7.

After you have removed the trim, make sure all of the rubber O-rings are removed from the car. Or the new trim will not fit correctly.

The new running boards actuall come with no assembly instructions. it takes a few minutes, but they are not that hard to figure out. Dont throw away the black styrofoam pieces.

The only other issue is replacing the rivets. If you are not removing the tires (as I did), you have to use a 90 degree rivet gun. The other option is to buy rivets from BMW (or Advance Auto, etc) that are the plastice screw in type.

Hope this helps.

[HudsonE92]

Originally Posted by Craigmitch

I just completed this last Saturday. I have the sport package with 20" wheels and flares. The entire process took me about 4 hours - 3 for the first side, and 1 for the second . I shopped around locally and found the kit for $330.

A few tips i picked up:

The instructions show to remove 2 rivets in the rear fender flares, but you should remove 3 to give yourself enough room to get the running board connector out/back in.

You also need to remove 2 rivets in the front - there is a small lip that fits inside the top of the running board.

The large connectors in the bottom can be easily removed with a pair of needlenose pliers - just pull straight down, and new ones are included in the kit.

When you remove the old trim, quite a few of the panel connectors will break and remain in the car. A panel trim remover comes in handy here. I picked one up at the auto parts store for $7.

After you have removed the trim, make sure all of the rubber O-rings are removed from the car. Or the new trim will not fit correctly.

The new running boards actuall come with no assembly instructions. it takes a few minutes, but they are not that hard to figure out. Dont throw away the black styrofoam pieces.

The only other issue is replacing the rivets. If you are not removing the tires (as I did), you have to use a 90 degree rivet gun. The other option is to buy rivets from BMW (or Advance Auto, etc) that are the plastice screw in type.

Hope this helps.

Thank you for the valuable information! I am going to attempt to tackle this project on Saturday.