Kwikee step motor replacement

[harleyjt]

Originally Posted by tap4154

I just put that same motor in my Kwikee steps. The old motor failed when they were out. so it was easy. Just make sure the battery switch is off, and don't lose the locator pin that goes inside the gear, as well as 2 spacer washers that go underneath the gear. The new bolts that came with it were a bit long, so I used the old ones. It seems to work very well.

Interesting. Mine only had one spacer washer under the gear. Don’t remember a locator pin. But I’ve slept since then.
jt

[tap4154]

Originally Posted by harleyjt

Interesting. Mine only had one spacer washer under the gear. Don’t remember a locator pin. But I’ve slept since then.
jt

One washer would probably be fine. The locater pin, or dowel, goes in the middle of the gear. It will work without it, but eventually the gear could move a bit, and not engage with the arm gear as well. If you turn the motor over, it falls out and rolls away, or disappears into the grass or dirt.

[THenne1713]

Originally Posted by rapidroy5858

I have ordered a replacement motor for the steps on our coach.
I am trying to find out if it matters whether the steps are in the up or down position when I install the new motor.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.

On my single step, pretty sure difficult/ impossible to reach motor when retracted?

[harleyjt]

Ok, wasn’t thinking of that as a locator pin. Obviously mine had that.

[tap4154]

Originally Posted by harleyjt

Ok, wasn’t thinking of that as a locator pin. Obviously mine had that.

I didn't know what else to call it

[alank]

Originally Posted by SoDonald

Ultimately, yes… Again, not an engineer- but from what I seen the weight is borne by all components. Step weight is transferred to the pivot, then to the gearbox arm, then to the gearbox/gearbox plate/four bolts), then finally to the mounting base/four main bolts. When I would observe flex it was gearbox plate torsion, stressing the 4 gearbox mounting bolts with a shear load - which are significantly smaller than the 4 base corner bolts. I’ve not observed any flex in the base plate so those bolts receive a tensile load. Admittedly, I’m 240# which is why I tried beefing up the weak link in the chain.

Just going off personal experience. I purchased the MH used 9mos ago, and prior to changing the motor/gearbox/bolts there was an inch or more of “give” when stepping on bottom step. With everything replaced, including the old bolts - one of which snapped like a twig with minimal torque, now the “give” is very slight - perhaps 1/16th of an inch. Prior to replacing the bolts I couldn’t torque enough to remove the torsion/twisting of the gearbox plate.

If your steps work like mine, when the steps are fully extended, they go to an "over center" lock out position and stay there. You can then stand on the steps with no motor being attached. A persons weight is supported by the step mounting bolts and none of the drive mechanism, although the drive mechanism could have some minimal parallel tension on it.

[THenne1713]

Originally Posted by tap4154

I Just make sure the battery switch is off,

BEWARE, AND Double check at Breaker by battery, but some brands of coaches/ models of steps are wired so STEP still works when BATTERY SWITCH= OFF, or so I seem to recall from some posts?

[VolDawg]

I just uninstalled my Kwikee stairs due to metal fatigue around one of the 4 mounting bolts. The metal literally tore off at the corner. I took it to a weld shop, had them repair the torn section and then weld a 1/8" plate over the area of the 4 corner mounting bolts to strengthen it. If anyone ever has sagging stairs be sure to check in the area of the mounting bolts for metal fatigue. This could also cause premature failure of the motor since the stair are no longer level.

While I'm in there I refreshed the lubrication in the 22 year old gear box and motor and painted the entire assembly. Looks as good as new.

[harleyjt]

The Kwikee steps on my 2019 Phaeton have been welded up twice.