I simply cannot believe this thread has been up this long and no one has given you the right answer yet!!
It's pretty simple: if you're having a hard time screwing in steps... Or you've got a step that needs an "installer" sold along with it, or if you need a drill to drill out a pilot hole... YOU'RE USING THE WRONG SCREW-IN STEPS!!!
Seriously. Spend an extra buck or two to buy Cranfords. They're usually only found at your more knowledgeable pro shops, but they're easy as pie to screw in. I won't use anything else. They're UNBELIEVABLY so much better than anything else on the market.
I have no sponsorship ties to Cranford at all (I tried; talked to the owner, but no dice... they just don't have the budget for it). I'll still push them this strongly, as the second-place step is so far behind them I have no idea who it is.