Is this he new gear strip for the slides?

[Mauro]

I have seen a few pictures of the gear strips with mangled teeth on this forum. I just noticed that my gear strips are different from the ones shown in those pictures, and I am wondering whether this new design constitute the change Thore made to the system in order to prevent slide failure. Has anybody got this new type of gear strip? More importantly, has anybody had a failure of the slides with this new design? So far all I can see is some minor scratching on the sides of the "garland" as shown on the picture. Thanks
Mauro
2014 Palazzo 33.2
2014 Jeep Cherokee

[Palazzoblues]

Originally Posted by Mauro

I have seen a few pictures of the gear strips with mangled teeth on this forum. I just noticed that my gear strips are different from the ones shown in those pictures, and I am wondering whether this new design constitute the change Thore made to the system in order to prevent slide failure. Has anybody got this new type of gear strip? More importantly, has anybody had a failure of the slides with this new design? So far all I can see is some minor scratching on the sides of the "garland" as shown on the picture. Thanks
Mauro
2014 Palazzo 33.2
2014 Jeep Cherokee

Nothing has changed with the tracks as you show. The only upgrade thor has made is with the larger motors and they did put more rivets in to hold the tracks to the side wall. They also adjusted the rollers on the bottom side of the slide to carry the weigh better. What you see is normal wear cause the large slide is so heavy. Compare that to the small slide.

[Mauro]

Please compare my picture with the one shown by BoDu in "lubricating Scwintek slide out", page 2. The gear strips are different. Mine is an interrupted garland, his is not and you can see distinct teeth projecting into the curves. Those free floating teeth may have been the weak point.
Mauro
2014 Palazzo 33.2
2014 Jeep Cherokee

[Palazzoblues]

Originally Posted by Mauro

Please compare my picture with the one shown by BoDu in "lubricating Scwintek slide out", page 2. The gear strips are different. Mine is an interrupted garland, his is not and you can see distinct teeth projecting into the curves. Those free floating teeth may have been the weak point.
Mauro
2014 Palazzo 33.2
2014 Jeep Cherokee

Yup that's exactly what the rails looked like on the first palazzo I had when the slide out failed. Between that one and the 35.1, nothing has changed. I know because I've had 2 I entirely different palazzos.

[BoDu]

I have checked my pictures, including those I did not post and believe we have the same gear track. Mine was just chewed up enough that it looked different. This was a track that had been replaced completely so I am sure it was newer that most of what is currently operating. We had only about ten cycles on the track, so I think there was a shim to hold the gear in place that was missing. We also heard a metallic rattle on the way to the dealer's shop for the Thor tech's replacement activity. Sounded like it was coming from the area of the interface between the gear and track. I am hoping we are getting closer to a carefree large slide. Time will tell. I think many of those that are successfully operating had a better initial build. We plan to contact Tony at Thor tomorrow to determine if there is any feedback on the work from Dennis the tech.

[Palazzoblues]

Originally Posted by BoDu

I have checked my pictures, including those I did not post and believe we have the same gear track. Mine was just chewed up enough that it looked different. This was a track that had been replaced completely so I am sure it was newer that most of what is currently operating. We had only about ten cycles on the track, so I think there was a shim to hold the gear in place that was missing. We also heard a metallic rattle on the way to the dealer's shop for the Thor tech's replacement activity. Sounded like it was coming from the area of the interface between the gear and track. I am hoping we are getting closer to a carefree large slide. Time will tell. I think many of those that are successfully operating had a better initial build. We plan to contact Tony at Thor tomorrow to determine if there is any feedback on the work from Dennis the tech.

bodus photo has not as close up as yours. I can assure you, those tracks have not changed. The cause of the teeth eating up the track is because it is aluminum on a steel gear trying to push and pull too much weight. When the thing gets chewed up that bad is because something is misaligned and the rollers under the slide does not properly carry the weight. The only upgrade they can make to make it better is to upgrade the rails to steel too. They will tell you they will not do this because steel rusts. Well if they change to a completely steel system and use lube, the rust is minimized. That is the solution I would propose to solve our slide out problems for good. But I know Thor does not want to hear this. Stainless steel would not rust and be stronger too!

[Mauro]

WOW! That was some serious chewing up to make it look so different. I will call Thor on Monday to know if at least the improvements you mention are in my coach or not. Thank you for your clarification.
Mauro
2014 Palazzo 33.2
2014 Jeep Cherokee

[94-Newmar]

Ahh Schwintek slides; the bane of RV techs across the USA. I cannot imagine how well these units are going to continue working with 10yrs of age on them once the clearances on the worm gear and tracks begin to increase. For now however, the largest problem I run across when these come in with issues is the wiring harness at the top of the motors themselves - very very small wiring with a very poor strain relief behind the slide seal - everytime the slide opens it smashes the entire wiring harness, by design.

[streamcamper]

Originally Posted by 94-Newmar

Ahh Schwintek slides; the bane of RV techs across the USA. I cannot imagine how well these units are going to continue working with 10yrs of age on them once the clearances on the worm gear and tracks begin to increase. For now however, the largest problem I run across when these come in with issues is the wiring harness at the top of the motors themselves - very very small wiring with a very poor strain relief behind the slide seal - everytime the slide opens it smashes the entire wiring harness, by design.

Hi 94-Newmar... Your description is very clear, but I wanted to make sure I completely understand.... the harness that can fail due to pressure from the slide is the section of wiring that is directly connected to the motor and connects, via a connector, to the home-run cable that runs back to the controller. Does this sound about right?

In your experience, have you seen issues with what I am calling above, the home run cable, which appears to be a heavier constructed cable. Thanks.

[94-Newmar]

In the section between where the wires run into the motor and exit the slide pocket.