Community Forums

tom chelbana · 03-14-2017, 09:42 AM

After doing a seminar at Newmar International rally before FMCA rally surprised by the number of coaches with lose slide out motor bolts. Over 20 coaches had lose bolts that hold the slide out motor. There wasn't any coach that had all 4 bolts for the 2 front slides tight. After finding that problem we also found the answer. Last year when I 1st posted this issue I put Lock Tight red on Essex bolts and after assisting many owners tightening their lose bolts I check ours and they were all tight. Recommending for those who haven't check their slide out motor bolts to check them and then remove one bolt at a time and put red Lock Tight on threads and tighten them to about 35 ft. lbs. The tools you need are a 9/16 socket, ratchet, 6 inch extension, and 9/16 combination wrench. This is a big issue and a major cause of slide out problems.

powderman · 03-14-2017, 10:27 AM

You would think after knowing of this problem, and the cost of a coach that the mfg could afford to put a dab of loctite on the bolts when building.

Mr JP · 03-14-2017, 10:52 AM

Good reminder Tom it`s on my spring pretrip to do list.
Thanks
JP

dennis45 · 03-14-2017, 11:04 AM

Don't forget the Torx Head Screws on the gearbox and the 5/16" headed screws on the motor. I have found them loose also.

tom chelbana · 03-14-2017, 01:12 PM

Thanks to Dennis for photos of slide out motor, bolts,gear box and tools.

garyre · 03-14-2017, 01:23 PM

I would caution everyone about using "RED" Loctite (High strength/temp), a better product is using the "BLUE" Loctite (Medium strength).
If you use 'RED" each application will require heat with a torch to remove. There is no need for the the "RED" in this application, the 'Blue" will serve the same purpose and yet allow removal without heating each bolt/nut.

dennis45 · 03-14-2017, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garyre

I would caution everyone about using "RED" Loctite (High strength/temp), a better product is using the "BLUE" Loctite (Medium strength).
If you use 'RED" each application will require heat with a torch to remove. There is no need for the the "RED" in this application, the 'Blue" will serve the same purpose and yet allow removal without heating each bolt/nut.

Good catch. I agree.

Stuart W · 03-14-2017, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennis45

Don't forget the Torx Head Screws on the gearbox and the 5/16" headed screws on the motor. I have found them loose also.

in the 9/16 bolts in your middle picture: on my bedroom slide the bracket has slots that the bolts go threw. They used lock washers that tilted into the slots making them useless, a lock washer needs to be on a flat surface to work. When I called to talk to Newmar customer service they said" I'm not sure what they did, must have been a one-off mistake"

tom chelbana · 03-14-2017, 09:46 PM

Have used red Lock Tight and with one drop on bolts and it works great. Keeps bolt tight but still can be removed. You only need one drop.

bruceisla · 03-15-2017, 09:48 AM

Checked mine last week ... still tight (6 months and at least 30 activations) after refastening with flat washers (not lock washers) and Blue Loctite.

OakHillFarm · 03-15-2017, 10:05 AM

My CS3710 uses smaller bolts (1/2' wrench) on the bedroom slide motor. Some of the Torx head bolts are completely inaccessible due to brackets, etc. Just have to do the best you can to get/keep the accessible ones tight.

msy4us · 03-15-2017, 06:06 PM

Where are the location of these motors? We have 2 slides on curb side and 1 full wall slide.

Sandy Swede · 03-15-2017, 08:16 PM

Finally tightened mine last month. Several were loose by 1/4/to 1/2 turn, one by a full turn. I used Blue Loctite and Nord-Lock washers. Washers were pricey but they do no move under vibration. I also used some White-out to mark a line from the bolt head to the motor case so that a visual inspection will indicate if there has been any movement.

Nord-Lock wedge-locking washers | Secure your critical bolted joints with the original lock washer from the bolting experts

Motors on the front slides were not hard to locate, but you need to be somewhat of a contortionist to get at some of the bolts. The rear bedroom slide motor was easy as it was located under the bed. Assembling the proper tools probably took more time than the job itself. If I recall, I used a #26 torx bit to tighten the gearbox screws.

tom chelbana · 03-16-2017, 06:20 PM

Larry Slide out motors are located in the outside cabinets. They are close to the door and you will need to look at the back side of motor to find the 4 bolts. Pictures are very good on #4 response. With full wall I think you have 2 slide out motors which will need to be checked.