Kwikee Step Linkage Kit Install
I have to install a linkage kit on my series 32 Kwikee Steps. The linkage separated from the ball joint due to wear. I pulled the pin at the end of the linkage and removed the motor + gear assembly ...
Forum Discussion
An update: Maybe it will help the next person doing this repair.
My parts arrived yesterday, so this afternoon I got the repair completed. I removed the motor & arm assembly, removed the motor/gear cover, and replaced the parts that were provided in the kit. Re-installing the motor into the step assembly is moderately difficult on my Holiday Rambler as the small carriage bolts are not accessible on the top side due to the non-skid surface attached to the step. There is enough room, however, for the carriage bolt to disappear into the cavity of the countersunk bolt hole. I had to use a strong magnet attached to a thin screwdriver to get two of the carriage bolts back into position.
When it was time to install the pin, I tried prying from the other side of the hole with a center punch, but could never get enough clearance to install the pin. My next consideration was using 12 volts to bump the motor into a half way position, or adjusting or removing the concentric adjustments on both sides mentioned by FIRE UP above. Since the concentric adjustment removal was easier than rigging up a long 2 conductor wire, I removed the concentric adjustments from both sides (two 1/2 inch wrenches and it's easy). With these concentric adjustments removed, there was enough room to get the pin into place. After that, I retracted the steps, and reinstalled the concentric adjustments.
The kit was ordered from ebay, and was about $64 with tax.
Although it lasted 15 years, I have decided that I need to lube those steps more often. The manual for the steps recommends Kwik Lube (aerosol grease), so I'll be looking for that soon. For now, everything got lubed with oil to stop the noise.
Thanks to all that posted helpful tips.
The steps work great now.
Chum Lee posted "
P.S.: Be prepared to buy a new gearbox. Don't ask me how I KNOW this!"....I hope you're wrong but care to share what you know.
Fred
My parts arrived yesterday, so this afternoon I got the repair completed. I removed the motor & arm assembly, removed the motor/gear cover, and replaced the parts that were provided in the kit. Re-installing the motor into the step assembly is moderately difficult on my Holiday Rambler as the small carriage bolts are not accessible on the top side due to the non-skid surface attached to the step. There is enough room, however, for the carriage bolt to disappear into the cavity of the countersunk bolt hole. I had to use a strong magnet attached to a thin screwdriver to get two of the carriage bolts back into position.
When it was time to install the pin, I tried prying from the other side of the hole with a center punch, but could never get enough clearance to install the pin. My next consideration was using 12 volts to bump the motor into a half way position, or adjusting or removing the concentric adjustments on both sides mentioned by FIRE UP above. Since the concentric adjustment removal was easier than rigging up a long 2 conductor wire, I removed the concentric adjustments from both sides (two 1/2 inch wrenches and it's easy). With these concentric adjustments removed, there was enough room to get the pin into place. After that, I retracted the steps, and reinstalled the concentric adjustments.
The kit was ordered from ebay, and was about $64 with tax.
Although it lasted 15 years, I have decided that I need to lube those steps more often. The manual for the steps recommends Kwik Lube (aerosol grease), so I'll be looking for that soon. For now, everything got lubed with oil to stop the noise.
Thanks to all that posted helpful tips.
The steps work great now.
Chum Lee posted "
P.S.: Be prepared to buy a new gearbox. Don't ask me how I KNOW this!"....I hope you're wrong but care to share what you know.
Fred
