Community Forums

MrsChilerick · 09-17-2016, 07:31 AM

Picked up our MH from the mechanic yesterday after having two new tires put on the front and the entry steps were not fully retracted into to the body of the MH. The best way I can describe it is that they are kinda droopy. The DH crawled underneath when we got her home and lubricated the "gearing". After a few trys, the steps retracted. Once more to be sure and they were back to being droopy. More lube, they retracted, then droopy again. Any ideas?

tacaem · 09-17-2016, 08:12 AM

Mine was doing the same thing this spring i sprayed WD-40 on all the rod that the step pivots on problem solved. Let us know if that works for you

Cat320 · 09-17-2016, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tacaem

Mine was doing the same thing this spring i sprayed WD-40 on all the rod that the step pivots on problem solved. Let us know if that works for you

Yep, they have to be cleaned and lubed or will not work.

tdyltc46 · 09-17-2016, 03:37 PM

Cleaning and lubing is a must, but are you sure your house batteries are fully charged. If not, the step will not fully retract.

MrsChilerick · 09-17-2016, 05:58 PM

Hmmm, never thought about the batteries as they will not retract even if the engine is running. We'll check that and we have a new lubricant we will try tomorrow. We do keep them clean and lubricated, but not with this new stuff. I'll post back our results. Thanks for the help.

Cat320 · 09-17-2016, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdyltc46

Cleaning and lubing is a must, but are you sure your house batteries are fully charged. If not, the step will not fully retract.

Don't know about yours, but on my coach, and most coaches, it's the chassis batteries that work the steps, not the coach/house batteries.

MrsChilerick · 09-18-2016, 12:35 PM

Our chassis battery was reading 12.2, house, 12.4. After re-lubing with spray Lithium grease, stairs appeared to be working fine, then we tried the one time too many (genny running, coach engine off) and they hung up again. DH started the engine, revved the engine and they went right up. All that said, they do make a horrible clunking noise when extending. Our next step is to have the chassis battery tested. We're open to any other input. Thanks again

Baggerman · 09-18-2016, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsChilerick

Our chassis battery was reading 12.2, house, 12.4. After re-lubing with spray Lithium grease, stairs appeared to be working fine, then we tried the one time too many (genny running, coach engine off) and they hung up again. DH started the engine, revved the engine and they went right up. All that said, they do make a horrible clunking noise when extending. Our next step is to have the chassis battery tested. We're open to any other input. Thanks again

12.2 and 12.4V is to low for the batteries. If they are lead acid have you checked the water levels? Here is a chart that should help you.

MrsChilerick · 09-19-2016, 08:31 AM

Thanks for the chart, it's very helpful. We are thinking our mechanic left the coach sitting with the batteries on for the 4 days he had it. Now to figure out if our chassis battery needs replacing.

MrsChilerick · 09-20-2016, 11:23 AM

Ok, we still think it's the battery, but AAA was just here and said it tested out fine. We are wondering if there could be something happening in the coach that is putting an unusual drain on the chassis battery or causing it not to charge while on shore power.

Thanks for everyone's help, we would've never looked at the battery without your input.

vettenuts · 09-20-2016, 04:58 PM

Sounds like something is bent and binding just enough to trigger the shutoff. Don't forget the linkage doesn't have the same leverage as pushing by hand. Also, I would avoid spray grease which will attract dirt and make things worse. Silicone spray is what the manufacturer will tell you to use if it must be lubricated. I use a drying PTFE spray on the gears.

NA Tradition · 09-20-2016, 10:22 PM

My coach just did the same thing after taking it out of storage. The next day, they worked fine. Could have been the batteries. Good Luck

Cameron
42F American Tradition

KJINTF · 09-21-2016, 06:55 AM

Hope you do not have the same problem I just had

My Steps are the Kwikee 32 series with the IMGL 9510 gear motor assembly
An internal white plastic gear had rounded off causing the motor to draw high current and thus shut off before coming all the way in as it should.
The bad news is that neither AM engineering, Lippert or Power Gear / Kwikee will sell you the defective part they want to sell the entire motor assembly for $75 - Not the simple $2.00 plastic part

If anyone has been able to find the White Plastic Gear please share with us where you obtained it