GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 GMC_Truck 🢒 2000 🢒 Safari - 2WD 🢒 Body and Accessories 🢒 Frame and Underbody 🢒 Assist Step Replacement

Removal Procedure

    Object Number: 350657 Size: SH
  1. Remove the screws from the front edge of the assist step extension. Open the door to expose the inner screw.

    2. Object Number: 350737 Size: SH
  2. Remove the push clips from the front edge of the assist step extension.
  3. Raise the vehicle to a suitable height.
  4. Remove the nut from the front lower corner of the assist step extension.

    5. Object Number: 350651 Size: SH
  5. Remove the assist step pad nuts.
  6. Remove the assist step pad.
    7. 6.1. Insert a plastic tool along the edge.
    6.2. Pull upward on the assist step pad until it is fully released from the assist step plate.

    Object Number: 350668 Size: SH
  7. Remove the front section of the assist step extension as follows:
    8. 7.1. Lift in the center of the assist step extension.
    7.2. Slide the front section forward.
    7.3. Lift upward on the assist step extension to release it from the retainer and assist plate.

    Object Number: 394786 Size: SH
  8. Remove the screws from the right rear inner and outer wheel well. Open the sliding door to expose the inner screw.

    9. Object Number: 350672 Size: SH
  9. Remove the screws from the rear outer edge of the assist step extension. If the vehicle is equipped with assist steps, the cladding is shorter on the left side (bottom edge).

    10. Object Number: 350668 Size: SH
  10. Remove the rear section of the assist step extension, by lifting upward until fully released from the retainer.

    11. Object Number: 350679 Size: SH
  11. Remove the nuts that attach the assist step plate to the assist step support bracket .

    12. Object Number: 350685 Size: SH
  12. Remove the bolt (1) from the assist step support brace.

    13. Object Number: 350689 Size: SH
  13. The assist step support brackets are to be numbered (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) when removing.

    14. Object Number: 350685 Size: SH
  14. Remove the bolts (2) from the underbody.
  15. Remove the assist step support bracket .

    16. Object Number: 394776 Size: SH
  16. Remove the nuts and bolts from the rear assist step support bracket.
  17. Remove the rear assist step support bracket.

    18. Object Number: 350698 Size: SH
  18. Remove the nuts and bolts from the rear anchor that attaches to the inner pinchwell flange and to the inner rocker panel.

    19. Object Number: 350694 Size: SH

    Important: Do not use a sharp tool in the removal of the assist step retainer, it will damage the paint. Use a plastic tool to assist in the removal of the assist step retainer. The assist step retainer is held in place by a double backing tape.

  19. Remove the screws from the assist step retainer. The right side is a one piece retainer, the left side is a two piece retainer.
  20. Remove the assist step retainer from the rocker panel.

Installation Procedure

    Object Number: 350694 Size: SH
  1. Install the assist step retainer to the rocker panel.

    2. The right side is a one piece retainer, the left side is a two piece retainer.

    1.1. Clean the rocker panel with isopropyl cleaner or equivalent to remove all of the old double backing tape.
    1.2. Remove the strip from the double back tape if replacing retainer.
    1.3. Align the assist step retainer to the holes in the rocker panel and press in place.

    Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

  2. Install the screws to the assist step retainer.

    3. Tighten
    Tighten the screws to the assist step retainer to 2 N·m (18 lb in).


    Object Number: 350698 Size: SH
  3. Install the nuts and bolts to the rear anchor that attaches to the inner pinchwell flange and to the inner rocker panel.

    4. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts and bolts to the rear anchor that attaches to the inner pinchwell flange and to the inner rocker panel to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).


    Object Number: 394776 Size: SH
  4. Install the rear assist step support bracket.
  5. Install the nuts and bolts to the rear assist step support bracket.

    6. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts and bolts to rear assist step support bracket to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).


    Object Number: 350689 Size: SH
  6. Lay out the assist step support brackets in the order in which they were removed (1, 2, 3, 4, 5).

    7. Object Number: 350685 Size: SH
  7. Install the assist step support brackets and bolts (2) to the underbody.

    8. Tighten
    Tighten the assist step support bracket and bolts (2) to the underbody to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).

  8. Install the bolt from the inside of the pinchweld flange.
  9. Install the assist step support brace bolt (1) to the pinchweld flange.

    10. Tighten
    Tighten the assist step support brace bolt (1) to the pinchweld flange to 10 N·m (89 lb in).


    Object Number: 350679 Size: SH
  10. Install the nuts that attach the assist step plate to the support bracket .

    11. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts that attach the assist step plate to the support bracket to 10 N·m (89 lb in).


    Object Number: 350668 Size: SH
  11. When installing the assist step, check the height and the alignment to rocker panel, cladding and to the body.
  12. Install the rear section of the assist step extension.

    13. Align the rear edge of assist step extension with the rear edge of the retainer and pushing downward until fully seated.


    Object Number: 350672 Size: SH
  13. Install the screws to the rear outer edge of the assist step extension. If the vehicle is equipped with running boards, the cladding will be shorter on the left side only.

    14. Tighten
    Tighten the screws to the rear outer edge of the assist step extension to 2 N·m (18 lb in).


    Object Number: 394786 Size: SH
  14. Install the screws to the right rear inner and outer wheel well. Open the sliding door to expose the inner screw.

    15. Tighten
    Tighten the screws to the right rear inner and outer wheel well to 2 N·m (18 lb in).


    Object Number: 350668 Size: SH

    Important: Use the following steps when installing the assist step extensions to the retainer:

       • Check to ensure that the front assist step extension fits over the center of the rear extension.
       • Check for a suitable fit to the step well and the door opening.
       • Check the height and the alignment to the rocker panel and to the door opening.
       • Check the alignment to the cladding and to the body.
       • Check the alignment gaps between the wheel well molding and body.
       • Check the lower edge of the assist step extensions to ensure an even gap along the lower edge of the body.

  15. Install the assist step extensions to the retainer.
  16. Install the nut to the front lower corner of the assist step extension.

    17. Tighten
    Tighten the nut to the front lower corner of the assist step extension to 10 N·m (89 lb in).

  17. Lower the vehicle to a suitable height.
  18. Install the screws to the front assist step extension. Open the door to expose the inner screw.

    19. Tighten
    Tighten the front assist step extension screws to 2 N·m (18 lb in).


    Object Number: 350657 Size: SH
  19. Install the push clips to the front edge of the assist step extension.

    20. Object Number: 350737 Size: SH
  20. Install the screws to the front edge of the assist step extension.

    21. Tighten
    Tighten the screws to the front edge of the assist step extension to 7 N·m (62 lb in).


    Object Number: 350651 Size: SH
  21. Install the assist step pad.
  22. Align the assist step pad to the assist step plate and press downward firmly until fully seated. The nuts are to be hand torqued.
  23. Install the assist step pad nuts.

    24. Tighten
    Tighten the assist step pad nuts to 2 N·m (18 lb in).

  24. Lower the vehicle.