Slideout Squealing Noise

[Gadget Man]

My front street side slideout has made a squealing noise when moving it in/out, since the day I bought it. I had the selling dealer look at it and they said the sound was normal. Several years ago I had an RV repair shop look at it and they said the sound was from the rubber weather seals sliding against the surface of the slide. I thought this was an odd explanation, since the opposing slide made no such noise.

I just had the slide re-checked by a mobile RV tech that I recently started using. He quickly diagnosed the sound. The slideout has eight rollers that help guide the slide in/out. All eight rollers are stuck/frozen. The sound is from the slide arms sliding across the frozen rubber roller wheels. It's amazing that it took so long to get the right diagnosis. I'm lucky I didn't suffer a burnt out slide motor as a result.

If you own a Fleetwood with a Power Gear slideout and you have a similar squealing noise, have the slide's rubber rollers checked. Lubing them will be a part of my annual PM from now on.

Craig

[zorro2kita]

My big slide was not retracting on occasion - had to push it in by hand sometimes - anyway, the 4 outside rollers were NOT rolling - ordered 4 new ones from Fleetwood and replaced - that did help but occasionally, the big slide would not retract - an excellent RV dealer in Las Vegas checked the motor - up to spec - the "fix" was lubing the rails with "slide lubricant" and runnning them in and out multiple times --

Now I spray lube them EVERY time I retract - no further problems !!

[DebbieMH]

Where do you get slide lubricant? And where do you spray it?

[Gadget Man]

Originally Posted by DebbieMH

Where do you get slide lubricant? And where do you spray it?

Protect-All makes a very good slide lubricant. I lube the slide gear tracks with it once a year. From now on I will be using on the roller shafts as well.

Craig

[Jonnyboy 316]

My bedroom slide on the street side has sometimes made a squeak or squeal a few times as well. Thanks for the tip. I will lube it the next time I have the chance. Jonnyboy

[zorro2kita]

I use Thereford Premium Slide Out lubricant -- I spray it on the 8 plastic rollers and the rails every time I bring the slides in -- Instructions say "Do not use on rubber"

I spray Silicone on the rubber gaskets for the smaller slide - no rails or rollers involved --

I purchased the lubricant at Walmart or Camping world or other large RV supply houses - it works for me so I use it continually - the slide must be worked a number of times when you first apply it - this will help spread the lubricant on the rails and wheels --

[Jonnyboy 316]

Both of my larger slides are visible from underneath the MH, and consequently have been lubricated almost every time we've used the MH. The bedroom slide has an enclosed bottom, so it is a little more difficult to tend to. I suspect I'll find the access under the bed.