Stairs are very hard to pull out

[gazingm42]

From day one our stairs were very difficult to pull out. Both the front and rear bathroom stairs had this issue. Several times in the first year we mention this to the dealer but kept being told they just need to break in.

Now 18 months later it still a issue. The front ones seem to be much much
better. But the rear are worst to the point it all I can do to pull them out and back in.

I have used a spray dry lube with no luck. I don't see any signs of rust etc.

As most stairs this as a single step that flips up and down. Then the top 2
stairs roll out as you pull on the handle. All 3 steps have the issue in this case. I thought maybe they were installed in a angle which caused it to bind. But with the single stop not attach to the stair frame has the issue
I think it just may need some black magic at this point.

Any ideas.

[AE Gary]

I assume that you have checked the linkage for alignment and everything is ok. I have found that using a product called Power Lube by CRC is a good choice for this kind of problem. I get mine from Napa, comes in a red and white can. The best thing about it: it lubes without attracting dust. Try it, I use it on my electric steps all of the time and they operate real easy.

[RVGuy1966]

I had the same issue and used wd 40 a few times and they are much better now

[gazingm42]

Have not tried WD-40 as I was afraid of the dust factor.

I have used the same oil free lub one uses on a slide out which is a dry spray type. But has not really change things.

I checked for alignment and they appear to be fine. Even the stop stair when folded up or bottom when it out. Which is not attached to the frame but rather the middle stair. Appears to have a issue too.

[schrod]

Originally Posted by gazingm42

Have not tried WD-40 as I was afraid of the dust factor.

I have used the same oil free lub one uses on a slide out which is a dry spray type. But has not really change things.

I checked for alignment and they appear to be fine. Even the stop stair when folded up or bottom when it out. Which is not attached to the frame but rather the middle stair. Appears to have a issue too.

Most likely the pivot rivets were over riveted. I would lube them up very liberally and hammer a stiff steel putty knife similar to using a chisel between the two mating surfaces where the rivet secures them. This could give the tight joint some moving room as we are most likely talking in thousandth's for clearance. After trying this then fold and unfold several times to move the lubricant into joints. If you are afraid of dirt sticking you can power wash them after completion of loosening them up.

[no3putt]

Don't use WD-40 but use the silcon version and won't attract the dirt.

[spade]

Use Break Free. Saturate them and work it up and down a few times. Why use dry lube on stairs? Lube them up heavy.

[Labracorn]

Use a good penetrating lubricant to free the joints ,don't worry about dirt.

[Cumminsfan]

Originally Posted by Labracorn

Use a good penetrating lubricant to free the joints ,don't worry about dirt.

x2. Just this weekend my steps were creaking when steeping on them. Squirted some WD40 on and after about 10x going in and out. They were quiet. I use WD40 on them 2x a year to keep them moving easy. I won't use WD40 on everything but sometimes you just need to lather stuff up to get it to work right.

[RVGuy1966]

WD has never failed me in over 30 years of using it..... if you want to lube it up just wait until the WD does its work then hit it with other stuff to keep it free

[Timay]

Or, do like I did and loan your rig to your son...VERY tight steps...he side swiped a pickup bumper when turning right...hit the trailer at the beginning of the step and slid all the way back to the fender, stopping just as the hitch on the bumper contacted the stairs. I am replacing the fender skirt and the step/door trim but the steps work great now!

A bit heavy handed, but the steps work slick now. I have a feeling they were installed in a bit of a bind...

Tim

[gazingm42]

Ouch, I will skip that idea...