Steps not retracting all the way
Hope someone can give us help. Traveling and can't get the steps to retract like the should. Tried oiling and silicon nothing helped so far. Is there a place I'm missing? They retract just fine if som...
Forum Discussion
The rubber mallet/pivot point answers aren't in my opinion, solutions to your problem. Assuming you have maintained your steps properly the solution to your problem is a new motor. In my experience and a lot of folks here on RV.NET, about 99% of Kwikee step problems are the window lift type motors failing. If USARMYCW is correct, then it's still a motor failure and if Dutch_12078 is correct, then it has most likely caused or will cause a premature motor failure.
As so many here have pointed out, the living environment of the steps is one of the worst you can find. Constant wind borne dust and dirt, hurricane rain type deluges. It sucks under there and guess what, the motors were intended to be operated in a much nicer living area.
If you are lucky enough to have one of the motors with a phenolic gear housing, then you can buy directly from the factory, if you have one of the older Ford window lift motors, be sure you get the correct one. There were several different ones used after the switch from the old open Delco/Remy design until they switched to the motors with phenolic gear cases.
Even within the ones with aluminum gear housings there are differences. There may be one number difference between the motor you want and a motor that looks exactly the same but may be called a high speed motor. The high speed motor will work but the electronics that control the motor weren't designed for the HS motor's draw.
Search the forum for other campers problems and solutions, you'll see what I mean.
As so many here have pointed out, the living environment of the steps is one of the worst you can find. Constant wind borne dust and dirt, hurricane rain type deluges. It sucks under there and guess what, the motors were intended to be operated in a much nicer living area.
If you are lucky enough to have one of the motors with a phenolic gear housing, then you can buy directly from the factory, if you have one of the older Ford window lift motors, be sure you get the correct one. There were several different ones used after the switch from the old open Delco/Remy design until they switched to the motors with phenolic gear cases.
Even within the ones with aluminum gear housings there are differences. There may be one number difference between the motor you want and a motor that looks exactly the same but may be called a high speed motor. The high speed motor will work but the electronics that control the motor weren't designed for the HS motor's draw.
Search the forum for other campers problems and solutions, you'll see what I mean.
