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kep5niner's avatar
kep5niner
Explorer
Dec 19, 2016

Large slide squeals when retracting

The last two times that I had the FW out before the end of the season, when retracting the largest slide, there is a high-pitched squeal. I figured it was a warranty issue so I wasn't too concerned. But now, having the pleasure of working with my local dealer, their ability leads me to believe I'm on my own for fixing the slide issue.

Any idea what could be making that sound when retracting? It's a LCI electric slideout system. I've researched the LCI slideout owners manual, and based upon the parts diagram, I don't really see anything that could be making that sound. I almost thought it sounded like a failed roll-bearing of some sort, but I didn't see any indication of such. I've lubricated everything I can see (dry lube). I haven't opened up the underbelly yet - if I do, that won't happen until the spring.

Here's a link to the LCI slideout owners manual, in case I'm missing something:

LINK

Any suggestions on what it may be? Thanks!
  • greende wrote:
    See my post above
    about the gear pack. It stopped my squealing.


    Good copy. I downloaded that and emailed it to myself for reference back at the hooch. Much appreciation!
  • Looking forward to spring so I can get under the rig and see what needs my attention. Dont mind trouble shooting this stuff myself as I prefer to do my own work. Thanks for the reference material.

    Daryll
  • greende wrote:
    I had two of my 3 slide outs squeal. I found info on LCIs website on the procedure for lubricating the gear pack. I do not know how to do links. Go to the LCI website, click on customer service at the very top of the page and click on the Slideout tab, then through frame tab, then 2 X 2 Electric slide mechanism, Manuals, then click service manual and it is on page 9. I did this on mine and it quieted it down significantly.

    Much appreciated thanks
  • Well, I had the 5er out for the first time of the season this past weekend, and sad to say the slide squeal did not magically heal itself over the winter break...

    I tried the LCI bearing pack lubrication procedure. Unfortunately, that did not solve the problem. There are two bearing packs on this slide, and I disassembled and lubricated them both, actuated the slide multiple times, with no luck.

    It's seems very hard to pinpoint exactly where the squeal / grinding is coming from. It almost seems like it's inside the floor, as if the internal end of the ram is dragging as it retracts into the floor. Really hope I can find a solution, as I do not want to live without my trailer for a month as the dealer....probably just makes it worse.
  • A follow up to my slide squeal. I took my FW to a reputable trailer shop (Transwest - they have locations in MO and CO), and they fixed the issue. No parts required, just lube and adjustment. Here is the write-up from the work order:

    CHECKED SLIDE, LUBED RAMS, STILL NOISY, FOUND RAMS PUSHING HARD ON NYLON TUBES, ADJUSTED RAMS SIDE TO SIDE TO SET IN CENTER OF OUTER TUBE TO TAKE PRESSURE OFF THE NYLON TUBES, NOW SLIDE OUT IS QUIET. RAN IN AND OUT SEVERAL TIMES NOISE IS
    GONE.

    I'll pick it up today, and should be good to go! Hope this may help someone in the future.
  • I wonder if the nylon tubes they describe are above the coroplast basement cover. I can see the frame cut-outs where the rams enter the floor area, just cant get to anything else without dropping the cover. Certainly sounds like a plausible solution to my noise. Perhaps when its warmer I can unbolt a section and look up into the floor cavity for these tubes.

    Daryll