sticking step

mach buster · 11-17-2010, 07:12 PM

Any suggestions for extenda step that does not want to fully retract? I have lubed the step on regular intervals.

Wanabee FTer · 11-17-2010, 11:21 PM

I just finished removing and re-installing my kwikee step today for a similar problem. A previous owner must have left the step out and clipped it on something. All the brackets were bent and caused it to bind opening and closing. It took allot of metal fabrication to straighten it back out, but it works perfectly now.

**Route 66** · 11-18-2010, 04:54 AM

If nothing is binding, then the step controller needs to be replaced.

John Wayne · 11-18-2010, 07:25 PM

Pull the pin that goes to the steps from the motor. can you move the steps with out the motor attached any binding?? does the motor work with out the steps attached??

deputydog · 11-18-2010, 07:28 PM

Low house battery made mine do it when I first purchases MH. Had been sitting on lot. Once charged up worked perfect since.

deputydog · 11-18-2010, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wanabee FTer

I just finished removing and re-installing my kwikee step today for a similar problem. A previous owner must have left the step out and clipped it on something. All the brackets were bent and caused it to bind opening and closing. It took allot of metal fabrication to straighten it back out, but it works perfectly now.

Hey Wanabee - My door came open the other day and bumped the curb in the driveway and bent mine a bit. How did you re-bend your's? Did you drill out hinges and then straighten? That's the only way I could get mine back perfect. Works now, but bugs me. Took it out and did a bit of work on it, but together I just couldn't get it.

Wanabee FTer · 11-18-2010, 08:15 PM

Hi deputydog,
I was not sure at first if I could fix my step. I wanted to replace just the step and reuse my controller and motor, but decided to devote a day and give it a shot. I removed the step then I used a big hammer (sledge like but shorter handle) and hammered the side frame straight on the concrete floor, then used wood 2x4 blocks for support to hammer the step brackets straight. I also used about 2.5' of wood beam standing on end to work the metal side brackets. The last part that was difficult was to bend the inside brackets back into shape. They have a squiggle shape so they can retract back into the mounting bracket, and were bent somewhat straight.
As you already stated it would be difficult to remove the bracket from the frame, so I stood it on end and laid a 7/8" combo wrench between the bracket and frame and hammered it back to the correct shape.
I only ran into one issue, the weld broke for the cross support rod during the metal work. I hammered it back into position and took it to my local body shop and had him weld it for me. 2 hours later I picked it up and reinstalled the step into my RV. (He didn't even charge me, but I gave him some lunch money for his effort

)
Since I have never had a fully functioning step, I was delighted with the results. Hope this helps,

John

deputydog · 11-18-2010, 09:08 PM

Thanks - that's how I did mine and it's pretty close and works fine. I started to drill out all the riveted hinges but that would have been a project for sure.

While doing mine I found a defect in my from the factory - the actuator arms that are welded at each end of the round horizontal rod that the gear moves are not welded on the same. they are about 20 degrees or so out of being at the same angle on the shaft so when one side of the step is full up, the other side is down maybe an inch or two. The only fix would be to cut one off the rod and re-weld to match the other or cut the shaft just inside one or the other, align them and re-weld the rod. I have all the tools and a tig welder, but lost my motivation.

Pretty crummy quality control from the mfg.

I ought to send them some photo's and the inspector's number. They could probably pick him out - he either has the "coke bottle glasses" or the red and white cane.