Steps - Lubricate or not? Replacements available?

[JavaJelly]

My steps stopped retracting and extending all the way. The manual and a sticker on the front clearly state do not lubricate.

I take it to the dealer. He says they don't know what they are talking about and lubricates them anyway. Now I have steps that barely work. I demanded new steps and a motor w/o success.

Any advice out there?

Secondly, is it possible to upgrade steps to a new style such as on the high line models?

Third, I have camped in my coach about 10 times all Summer, in my own campground no less! Stuff is still breaking. When does the recreational part of RV kick in?

[JavaJelly]

My steps stopped retracting and extending all the way. The manual and a sticker on the front clearly state do not lubricate.

I take it to the dealer. He says they don't know what they are talking about and lubricates them anyway. Now I have steps that barely work. I demanded new steps and a motor w/o success.

Any advice out there?

Secondly, is it possible to upgrade steps to a new style such as on the high line models?

Third, I have camped in my coach about 10 times all Summer, in my own campground no less! Stuff is still breaking. When does the recreational part of RV kick in?

[Lug_Nut]

Scott, That is rediculous that your steps don't work. I don't recall anything that said lube or don't lube the steps, and generally I read everything. And I'm talking my last coach, same steps as yours. I think I lubed mine once, and that was only to quiet a squeek. Contact the step manufacturer and explain your issue. Many times I find going to the OEM a quick way to get things done and sometime on warranty.

The fun part kicks in real soon, just ask Bob.

Peter

["007"]

I would buy some lube for your step and lube. I have replaced steps rebent steps back to there original position and lube all piviot points including the knuckles that operate the steps outward.
Salt from roadways in your area will do a job on piviot points and motor gears.
If you need new steps this LINK will get you started Google for other sites there are cheaper prices.

[Iowa Travelers]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by JavaJelly:
My steps stopped retracting and extending all the way. The manual and a sticker on the front clearly state do not lubricate.

I take it to the dealer. He says they don't know what they are talking about and lubricates them anyway. Now I have steps that barely work. I demanded new steps and a motor w/o success.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

We experienced the same thing with our 2005 DSDP. Three months after delivery the steps would not retract. We are in a campground so fiddle with some spray stuff etc and about two hours later finally get them to work with some partial retractions and then fully retract.

There is a yellow sticker on the top step that clearly states "No Lubrication Required". Next time we are in for service I add this item to the list.

When we are checking out the service manager tells me they could find nothing wrong with the steps. They disassembled them, cleaned to parts that rotate etc. "Since this is obviously a maintenance issue that we did not perform, he will have to charge me for the labor (If I recall 1.5 hours)" For some reason we were tired of being there for 3 or maybe 4 days (imagine that) and I just paid the bill and we left.

I keep trying to remember to bring it up again and show him the label on the stairs!!

["007"]

I just replaced my three step Kwikee step and there is no sticker on them someone at Newmar is putting the yellow sticker in the wrong location.

[Larry3570]

Kwikee's site says: "With minimal periodic maintenance Kwikee automatic electric steps will provide years of trouble-free operation.
Kwikee recommends lubricating all the moving parts (bearing, pivot points, slides, clevis pin and drive linkage ball) every 30 days with a good quality moisture and heat resistant penetrating grease, such as KwikLube®."

[waterboy]

I have a 2005 DSDP and Newmar service has replaced the steps three times under warranty because of not retracting fully and large amount of rust. Warranty runs out the 22 of November hope that I don't have to replace them yearly like Newmar. I was on the Newmar Maritime Caravan and my friend and his wife, with a brand new 2006 leftover Essex that they just bought 3 months ago. His wife had the steps fall apart dropping her to the ground, they are the same as my DSDP steps so watch the bolts that hold them together.

[Bob&Pat]

I have the Kwikee steps on my 2003 Itasca, after about eighteen months they would not retract all the way especially in the cold. I used spray-lubricating oil and they would work for a short time and would squeak. In couple of months they would not retract all the way.

I purchased the KwikLube aerosol GREASE and have used it twice 6 months apart and the steps work smooth and quietly.


From Kwikee steps PDF
"KwikLubeTM is a unique aerosol grease that has hundreds of automotive, household,
and industrial uses in addition to lubricating Kwikee Electric Steps. It sprays on and
into hard to reach places. KwikLubeTM changes from a penetrating fluid to a tough,
protective grease in a matter of minutes! The cured film is impervious to moisture
and can withstand temperatures above 400? F (204? C). This formulation also contains
additives to prevent rust and reduce wear."�
NOTE: Silicone lubricants and WD-40 are not recommended as they have a tendency to
evaporate and dry the mating surfaces which leave them vulnerable to the elements.

[Tom N]

KwikLubeTM is lithium grease.

Walmart sells white lithium grease in a spray can for $1.79.

-Tom

[KayLarGo]

We had the same issue before we left for Cour D'ALene ID a couple of weeks ago. Sometimes they wouldn't even move. WD-40 seemed to make matters worse.

Ran into an RV mechanic there and he says never use WD-40 or similar but use silicone spray often. I cleaned the steps and joints really well with a degreaser ( simple green) then applied the silicone spray to the joints. Since I did that no squeaks or binds. You also need to get that one under the steps when they are all the way out. Works for me.

["007"]

You should in your monthly or yearly inspections of outside items on coach be checking the step mountings. In most cases you should have four bolts that are welded to the square-D hollow tubing what happens if who ever mounted the steps used just a nut and lock washer the vibrations these nuts receive can loosen up the steps. If your steps can be moved up and down by hand , while closed, check the nuts. I mounted my new steps with nylon lock nuts and star locking washers and the steps do not loosen up like they use to.

[Joe Gilbert]

I may be wrong but I think that the step motor current is monitored as a means to determine when the step has driven all the way in or out. When the step drives to its in or out physical stop the motor stall current will spike and the controler will shut off the motor. If the motor is working too hard, i.e. the steps are not traveling freely due to dry pivot points, the motor current will spike and the motor will shut down even though the steps are not fully in or out.