Step cover on 2004 Dutch Star

What you will more than likely find once you get the step up, the end cap on the motor has come apart. It's held on with 4 machine cap screws and those strip out, causiing the gears to disengage. Take the motor out remove the screws, if any are left attached, drill all the way through where the screws screw in and replace them with bolts and nuts. The motor will be better than new and last much longer....

B's Bunch wrote:
I had to replace mine when we had a 2005 DS. I will try and locate what I bought do not remember what it cost. Linear Actuator I believe was what it was called. Shop here in town had them. If you get it out there should be a name and number on it. I found it on the inet and a store locator got me who to contact. Larry

It was motion Ind. I cant find the number but they can match it if your number is not readable. Good Luck Larry

Had the same thing happen last year to my 05 DS. Do what Dougrainger said to access. Motion industries sold me a complete new actuator for $201.13 including tax.Their # is 330-305-1991. Location is Canton Ohio. www.Motion Industries.com Maybe you can find one cheaper but this was a lot cheaper than Newmar. Easy to replace once you get the step open.

Had the same thing happen last year to my 05 DS. Do what Dougrainger said to access. Motion industries sold me a complete new actuator for $201.13 including tax.Their # is 330-305-1991. Location is Canton Ohio. www.Motion Industries.com Maybe you can find one cheaper but this was a lot cheaper than Newmar. Easy to replace once you get the step open.

Call Newmar with VIN and be ready to pay. Bad design.

RohoBorrego wrote:
I am in bad need of information on gaining access to the step cover motor and activation linkage. All I get is a sound of the motor running and a "grumbling" sound when the switch is activated. The step cover remains in the "step" configuration.:? Thanks in advance for any helpful and useful information. Happy Trails.

I had to replace mine when we had a 2005 DS. I will try and locate what I bought do not remember what it cost. Linear Actuator I believe was what it was called. Shop here in town had them. If you get it out there should be a name and number on it. I found it on the inet and a store locator got me who to contact. Larry

Common problem on Newmar Step covers. The ONLY way to access the motor assbly is to manually jerk the step upward and pull the actuator loose from the motor mount. No big deal since you have to replace the motor/actuator anyway. The bad new is, wait until you see how expensive that part is. If you go to the Yahoo Newmar owner forums, you will find a post that one Newmar owner found the actual distributor to Newmar on that part and was able to get it cheaper. THAT particular Step cover Motor/actuator is only used by Newmar. No other OEM uses that type step cover system. The Motor/Actuator used to cost in the ballpark of $400 to $550 from Newmar. Doug