MXC1624 - Land Rover Support assembly-side step

Land Rover Defender Side Step Support Brace – MXC1624 (90/110/130, Folding & Fixed Step Assemblies)

MXC1624 is the side‑step support brace used across Land Rover Defender 90, 110 and 130 models, fitted to vehicles equipped with folding or fixed side‑step assemblies. The brace forms part of the under‑body mounting structure, linking the step to the chassis outriggers and body sill to provide a stable and load‑bearing support for entry and exit. It is used on Defenders from the late 1980s through the end of L316 production, supporting both single and multi‑step configurations depending on model and trim.

Supplied in black‑finished steel on genuine Land Rover versions, MXC1624 is formed with the correct radius bends, mounting‑plate angles and bolt‑hole spacing to align with factory step brackets and the Defender chassis. The bracing rod features the characteristic curvature and reinforced ends found on original assemblies, ensuring the step remains rigid under load while allowing correct folding‑step articulation where fitted.

The part supersedes earlier step‑brace references such as MTC3019, and is used as the primary structural tie‑bar in the STC7631/STC7632 side‑step kits. When installed, MXC1624 prevents lateral flex, supports vertical weight, and maintains the designed geometry of the step assembly - critical for preserving alignment with the sill and door aperture.

MXC1624 is a common replacement during restoration of high‑mileage Defenders where original supports have corroded, bent from off‑road impacts, or fatigued from repeated step loading. As a chassis‑connected component, ensuring the brace retains the precise factory form is essential for proper step operation, preventing rattles, sagging, and premature hinge wear on folding units. Genuine‑spec assemblies follow the original gauge and welded construction, allowing the brace to integrate cleanly with the Defender’s underbody structure.

For owners restoring or maintaining Defender 90/110/130 models fitted with side steps, MXC1624 provides the correct structural support piece engineered to match the original Land Rover mounting arrangement and step load paths.