Community Forums

Steve N Sal · 07-15-2010, 07:24 AM

I don't know if this is a silly question or not but is there somewhere any part of the slide mechanism needs to be lubricated? My livingroom slide squeaks a bit but looking underneath it I don't realy see anywhere any lube might help the situation. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

edj · 07-15-2010, 07:42 AM

Is it a mechanical squeak or the squeal of the rubber seals rubbing on the side of the slide? If it is the rubber seals, spraying the rubber seals with some silicone spray or 303 will help.

RVDude · 07-15-2010, 08:44 AM

Newmar does not lube the slide mechanisms - lube collects dirt and there is nothing that needs lube. Look at the mechanism and you'll understand that better.
Newmar does "lube" the seals using Talc - and NOTHING else. Here's the secret trick. Get a pair of $1 brown jersey gloves and a 50cent bottle of baby powder. Apply a pile of powder to the fingers of the glove and wipe the seals with your powdered fingers (with the slide mostly open). Viola, slide seal lubed AND cleaned all in one fresh smelling step.

Romeo · 07-15-2010, 12:52 PM

My slide has the LOUD metallic squeek and squeal.... sure shounds like somthing needs to be lubricated.

Steve N Sal · 07-15-2010, 06:21 PM

Yeah, it's a metallic squeak for sure. If it doesn't need lubricating then I won't worry about it. Thanks for the help.

"007" · 07-16-2010, 11:57 AM

I can agree with RVDude and Newmar but had a bang when rail for slide would drop in housing for it, I sprayed with KWIKEE LUBE and it stopped didn't use much because of dirt problem. Only time I see dirt problem is when slide is open.
The talc I can agree plus waxing the slide sidewalls.

RVDude · 07-16-2010, 07:07 PM

Spot on 007!

So often we over-think these things. If you got a squeak, by all means go lube it! I think the "point" of the Newmar recommendation is don't go out there on a daily basis and slather white lith all over the slide mechanisms. But if you got a problem area, by all means lube it.

BTW if you do gravel/dusty roads, the dust simply loves to thoroughly coat many of the slide mechanisms - in the closed position. Especially the DS bed slide with the mechanism inside the rear wheel well! Minimal mechanism lube is the operating guideline.

As far as anything but talc on the rubber seals, well, talc should be the only thing applied, ever. It's also by far the cheapest and easiest material to apply.

007 - Good add for waxing the slideout wall. It's easy to overlook waxing that area and very beneficial.

jmp1177 · 09-23-2010, 04:30 PM

I have had the same mechanical squeak in my Kountry Star for awhile. The last time we put the couch slide out I found an handful of greasy bearings on the carpet. I found this site trying to learn how to replace the bearing (it sounds like lots of fun). I believe the squeak has been this bearing slowly dying. Just for your info. - Mike

Romeo · 09-24-2010, 09:40 AM

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH: While at the Redmond rally last month, I had the Newmar techs replace my livingroom slideout, bulb seal. While they were replacing it I asked them about the slideout squeeking and squalling. They said that it emanated from an inaccessible bearing somewhere in the center of the slideout. They said that in order to get at it, one would have to pull the slideout out and tip it up (???). He also said that he had recommended a method to make it possible to lube the bearing, to Newmar mgmt, but they didnt implement it. So.... I guess we endure the squeeking-squalling until the bearing crumbles.

"007" · 09-24-2010, 09:58 AM

Maybe the saddle wheel, did they tell you their fix or is it privileged info from them.

Romeo · 09-24-2010, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by "007"

Maybe the saddle wheel, did they tell you their fix or is it privileged info from them.

They didnt give any real specifics on the replacement. They just indicated that it was a major job and much more trouble to fix than to leave as-is. They indicated that it was not much of a problem, just annoying.

I assume that I would not want to pay for the time it would take to relieve a squeek, so havent pursued it any further.