Lippert components Electric Automatic Coach step rebuild

[nwcanopies]

Placemarking this thread for the rebuild. I'll be posting many images soon.

When we bought Our brand new coach in Nov 2010, it had rusty steps. After 4500 miles of travel this summer, we finally did a no-no.

Finally read the owners manual and it says:

"CAUTION: With the power switch ON, steps extended and the door open, it will be possible to start the vehicle and drive away with the steps extended. This combination of events is discouraged since damage to the steps and vehicle is possible."

Well, thats what happened after picking up some groceries, we turned left and they drug the ground pretty hard with the lean. It happened to be downpouring, so I encouraged them back in with a sledge and unplugged the power to them.

The metal bars which allow the steps to glide open and close were bent to HEDoubleHockysticks.

Yesterday I took the whole thing apart. Like tinkertoys, really basic. Having the right tools help.

I didn't get a picture of the steps assembled, but here are a few after bending the metal back into place in prep for sandblasting. Hopefully, they don't warp the step portion. You can see the rust.

I plan on priming and painting these. You knick powdercoat and it flakes from the inside out over time.

[nwcanopies]

Who, I don't feel bad now about spending a few bucks restoring this setup. $600 NEW! Here is the PDF link.

Lippert Components, Inc Shopping Cart

[ctpres]

Was there a cover on the bottom to protect components? If there is - mine is missing.

[anotherone]

Thats some nasty corrosion for such a new coach. Is that normal for that brand or is road salt the culprit?

[nwcanopies]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctpres Was there a cover on the bottom to protect components? If there is - mine is missing.

No Cover on mine. the electronic box (not shown) is sealed though. I don't see a need for a cover.

Quote:

Originally Posted by anotherone Thats some nasty corrosion for such a new coach. Is that normal for that brand or is road salt the culprit?

I know. I picked it up in Salt Lake City, It had 1700 miles on it (driven from napernee indiana). There is no corrosion anywhere else on the coach to my knowledge. I think powdercoating is a mistake with these steps. They see the ground and feet. A simple nick to the metal and the pc will start to flake. Thats my 2 cents.

[Melmoses]

On another forum, a guy cleaned his up and then sprayed on a coating made for truck beds. No rust anymore and works great according to him. I am thinking about doing the same to our Lippert steps.

[ctpres]

How about painting leading edge of steps some contrasting/brighter color that will make steps more visable in side mirror. On my list of things to do.

[Eric_H_E]

Looking at the Picts, th steps say they are 08 model. 2 year old steps on a new coach?

[nwcanopies]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric_H_E Looking at the Picts, th steps say they are 08 model. 2 year old steps on a new coach?

Yea I noticed that too. Don't know when they were installed on the coach... but think my coach was built in 08/09.

I called them and they said take it to a dealer for warranty work, they might have sent me a new step... bummer. They are already at the blasters and I'm not going to go pick them up and reassemble it and take it to the dealer in 40 days cause thats how far out they are. I'll just restore the succer and call it a day.

Can't wait to get them reassembled... the first step is almost 2' off the ground. Taller than my youngest kid

[Cruzer]

I agree on the powder coating. Most powder coatings are too porous and salt, etc can penetrate and rust from behind. Chips are the same thing. I can't begin to recount how much of my construction equipment had to be reworked for that same reason.

Sandblasting them, priming them with a good 2 part epoxy primer, and then covering with a good urethane paint is way better. I did my towbar that way and used Eastwood's ceramic chassis black paint over their epoxy primer. When that stuff is hard you can whack it with a hammer and it won't chip.

www.eastwood.com

[nwcanopies]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruzer I agree on the powder coating. Most powder coatings are too porous and salt, etc can penetrate and rust from behind. Chips are the same thing. I can't begin to recount how much of my construction equipment had to be reworked for that same reason. Sandblasting them, priming them with a good 2 part epoxy primer, and then covering with a good urethane paint is way better. I did my towbar that way and used Eastwood's ceramic chassis black paint over their epoxy primer. When that stuff is hard you can whack it with a hammer and it won't chip. www.eastwood.com

I like good ol'e rustoleum. Cheap - rattle can so can be done anywhere with no additional expense. 2 coats of primer and throw a rustoleum Gloss up on top.

Update: Woke up at 6:30am, exchanged $70 for sandlbasted parts (RIP OFF, but only thing in the area)... and came home. Stacked 3 chords of wood in the Inlaws wood shed and got to work on the parts.

I was very carfull to handle the larger steps and only touch one or 2 areas when moving. Grease off your hands can cause rust... been down this road before. I sanded up all the parts, created a makeshift hanging rack and threw 2 coats of rustoleum primer on. Waited an hour and let them dry in the sun and threw two coats of rustoleum gloss on top.

Started to assemble but forgot about the tin (thin) metal part so had to sand it down by hand and put some primer on it.

Assembly and adjusting should be quick, Hope to have it together by tomorrow night.

[nwcanopies]

Today, was able to get to the assembly... took my time... why rush... its the weekend! I'm GLAD I TOOK PICTURES BEFORE I TOOK THE ASSEMBLY apart. Make putting it back together so much quicker.


Total time 16 hours.
2 for dissassembling
3 driving to sandblasters and back
6 for da /primer / paint.
2 Driving to Lowes/Home Depot for replacement parts
3 Slowly putting it back together

Total cost: $135
$70 for Sandblasters (this can be done much cheaper... they robbed me but were up front about it)
$25 for gas to sandblasters and lowes/Home Depot
$15 for treads
$10 for replacement stainless self tapping screws
$15 for 2 cans of Rustoleum primer and 2 cans of paint.

You could probably do it for $100 if you have competing sandblasting shops in town.

Some pictures... yes I drink my coffee black.

[nwcanopies]

Here is what I won't miss... and the finished product.

My steps have character from the sledgehammer when I was stranded in the rain. I wouldn't trade the dents for a new set of steps. Thats history!

[nwcanopies]

From this to this.