Front slideout

[dajudge]

I was just wondering if anybody can tell me what is causing this problem.
Went out in the mh saturday, levelled it, then opened the front slide. Everything worked fine, slide out went out smoothly. That afternoon, when I closed it, it would move in jerks and make a loud snap everytime it jerked. About halfway, it stopped. I didn't have a wrench big enough to move it manually, so I tried again and was able to close it all the way, again with the jerk and snap.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Something in the way as it came in? Something got caught under the lip and went underneath?

[paz]

If the slide is electric as opposed to hydraulic, it's a good chance you sheared a bolt on the drive mechanism. There is a recent discussion about this HERE. The snapping is likely the remnant of the bolt that remained in the hole periodically catching as the shaft tries to rotate. You'll have to climb under the slide to check it out.

There seems to be a difference of opinion about what to use to replace the bolt, but the wise advice seems to use a special bolt supplied by Power Gear.

[doc]

sounds like you may have nailed it paz

[dajudge]

No sheared pin. I crawled under the mh and the pins look ok. The problem seems to be in the brake attached to the motor. Sounds like the brake is engaging and disengaging as the slide goes in. Does that make any sense?

[Batman_777]

Low voltage... Bat low

Some RV slide motors lock when the bat is low. It's full strength battery that will unlock the motor and permit operation. I think this is the braking action that prevents the slide from moving after the power is dropped.

I know an RV (Jayco) that has the front slide low voltage (9v DC) while the others are all @ 13.00.

Also, agree as mentioned above, check and look for something blocking underneath the flap.

[dajudge]

Nothing caught under, lubricated the slide, the voltage is good. I think the brake is defective. Rv guy I talked to concurred it maybe a brake problem. RV guy coming to check it tomorrow.

[Rex]

Well it it is the break, disengage it and see if the operation is smooth. If this is a Power Gear motor, the break lever should have some sort of mark showing which way the brake is on or off. The function of the break is to keep the slide from moving when power is NOT applied to the motor. The break is electro-mechanical and releases when power is applied to the motor to move the slide.

I had one fail but the indication was the slide would inch out while going down the road. Power Gear wanted around $700 through a dealer and would not sell the break by itself. I took the break off the motor, found the manufacturers name, called them and arranged to purchase through one of their dealers for $130 delivered to my house.

[dajudge]

Thanks for all who tried to help. The drive mechanism on the motor has a broken tooth in the gear and that is what is causing the problem. I have a new unit coming from Tiffin. Cost $636 plus shipping. I am going to change it myself. Wish me luck.