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nwa07's avatar
nwa07
Explorer
Aug 12, 2015

Leaking Atwood Landing Gear Motor

Seen lots of posts of gear issues here, but not anything like the problem I am having. I have a 2003 Alfa Sun 32 with a single motor Atwood landing gear system. Never had problems until last unhook; when I went to raise it to pull my truck away it went up REAL slow and sounded like it was working extra hard. No reason for that as it is parked on level concrete in a pole barn. At first I was 'assuming' it was the gear box but it did not make any grinding noises. After further inspection and crawling into the forward compartment to get a better look I noticed that the section of the motor between the motor and gearbox had leaked fluid. Anyone have this issue? I know replacement parts are out there; I found a gearbox actually on Amazon. I am thinking if the motor needs replacement to replace the gearbox at the same time since I will have it all apart. Any ideas or suggestions?
Thank all!
  • nwa07 wrote:
    Donn0128..... why do you think the screws also have issues? Would them failing cause the motor to seize and thus leak fluids?
    Thanks...


    BT,DT. Before I changed to a dual motor system I broke a tab off the gear reduction box. Upon inspection I discovered that one of the legs jack screws was galled. I could barely move it by hand. That prompted me to convert to a dual motor landing gear. End of problems.
  • The motor drive assembly is comprised of electric motor connected to a drive gear.
    The drive gear section is factory lubricated....the lube has gotten hot and leaked out between motor/drive gear

    The gear reduction assembly is a 3:1 gear assembly that is also factory lubed. If leaking it has also gotten hot.

    Motor/drive and reduction gear are not serviceable (as in no rebuild parts). They are to be replaced when failed.

    Failure could be due to landing gear assembly having bent tube, worm gear/bevel gear worn, screw shaft/drive nut galled up

    With 5rv hooked up to truck can you manually raise/lower landing gear easily?
    Disconnect cross bar on motor driven side.......can you manually turn cross bar and easily move opposite side landing gear??

    Any binding...needs to be repaired before a new motor/reduction gear install (OR low battery voltage causing slow motor/overheating)
  • Donn0128..... why do you think the screws also have issues? Would them failing cause the motor to seize and thus leak fluids?
    Thanks...
  • The motor assembly is a bit loose, however the leaking fluids are making me think more serious issues.....
  • Likely you have multiple problems.
    First, poasibly a gear box failure. But also highly likely you have one or both legs have issues with bad screw.