I decided to upsize the steps bolts to AN4 and the hardware arrived this past week. I finished up the steps today and got them permanently installed.
I had previously prepped and primed the steps.
![](https://airplane.allanglen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pxl_20220129_1718296417533565161622991037.jpg)
I made a jig to set the step sweep angle.
![](https://airplane.allanglen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pxl_20220205_1923302034028900904369020802.jpg)
I decided to install the bolts on an angle such that the bolt would be possible to remove in the future via an access panel.
I 3d printed a drill guide to make sure I had enough clearance and I drilled the pilot hole using a bushing.
![](https://airplane.allanglen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pxl_20220205_2004589203200474945918439857.jpg)
I then drilled to 15/64 and finished the hole with an .247 reamer. That gave me a nice clean hole with no play in the bolt which will hopefully keep the steps nice and tight in the future.
![](https://airplane.allanglen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pxl_20220205_202140572416168667514856753.jpg)
![](https://airplane.allanglen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pxl_20220205_2110516994264898973823364955.jpg)
![](https://airplane.allanglen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pxl_20220205_211047299480302360070527628.jpg)
![](https://airplane.allanglen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pxl_20220205_2111016248073962867364303198.jpg)
![](https://airplane.allanglen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pxl_20220205_2111055054369504601022807898.jpg)
I treated the inside of the step tubes (and the step brackets) with Corrosion X and installed TCW step bushings to avoid deformation of the tube when torquing the bolts.
The steps came out rock solid and will hopefully stay that way.
![](https://airplane.allanglen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pxl_20220205_2135334421330278058745989193.jpg)
![](https://airplane.allanglen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pxl_20220205_2236083621024281602228354072.jpg)
![](file:///data/user/0/org.wordpress.android/cache/pxl_20220205_2135359238062748941758465025.jpg)
Another section completed!