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
When our Kwikee steps were built, the lift motor was a Delco/Remy and the mechanism was completely exposed to the elements. I knew nothing about the steps and maintaining them. One day in 1999 they failed and I didn't know how simple they are to repair so I took them to a RV Service and Parts company near home. End result was the old motor was no longer available and I ended up with a very early upgrade kit designed to replace the Delco/Remy setup.
Having owned my rig less than a year and not receiving the manual or any suggestions on maintenance I didn't do any and in a few years the Ford motor failed. By this time I was a member of these forums and decided after reading several posts that I would fix the steps myself. Making this as short as possible, the idiot technician installed the clevis pin holding the operating arm to the steps in from the wrong side. It was done on a work bench and didn't seem to be a problem. Well in order to remove the pin, I had to devise my own removal tool. The biggest problem other than the fact that there wasn't room enough to drive the clevis pin out was it was impossible to get the cotter key(or pin if you so desire) out. First suggestion if you disconnect the arm to step assembly. Replace the cotter key with a hair pin clip. Saves bruised and bleeding knuckles.
My next problem was using the numbers that were provided by folks here, I went to several stores, AutoZone, NAPA and independents and no one could find an exact replacement for my motor. Even Kwikee gave me the wrong numbers. I followed the work around as described here and jury rigged a replacement. Before doing that I replaced the little plastic bumpers in the gear housing, no improvement.
The replacement started with the symptoms the OP is experiencing while we were on the road and a tech tapped it with the rubber mallet and surprise they worked for all of two days.
Finally sat down at the computer for several crossed eyed hour looking at catalog after catalog of window life motors and found what has been a very reliable and perfect lift motor. It was made by AMI and was listed for a Ford F150 Crew Cab.
The reason I'm posting this info is that I've been through several problems, most of my own making and I can now go through the trouble shooting routine in the Kwikee manual, remove the entire lift motor and gear assembly, disassemble the gear assembly, clean, lube and reinstall and put in a new motor in about 30 minutes. I researched the Series 32 steps from their original design through todays super improved Power Gear model and have every gear and motor modification date. I also have decided after using several lubricants that the highly over priced Kwiklube is the best type of lube, "If you clean and lube your steps on a regular basis". Yes it gathers dust and dirt but that is why they need regular maintenance, what it doesn't do is wash out in a rain storm. An added benifit is now I can't hear my steps operate from inside the rig. My DW watches the step when I start the engine and until she sees that the steps are stowed, the rig doesn't move.
I stand by my first post, the symptom the OP gave, "If he performed routine maintenance", is symptomatic of a failing lift motor.
Having owned my rig less than a year and not receiving the manual or any suggestions on maintenance I didn't do any and in a few years the Ford motor failed. By this time I was a member of these forums and decided after reading several posts that I would fix the steps myself. Making this as short as possible, the idiot technician installed the clevis pin holding the operating arm to the steps in from the wrong side. It was done on a work bench and didn't seem to be a problem. Well in order to remove the pin, I had to devise my own removal tool. The biggest problem other than the fact that there wasn't room enough to drive the clevis pin out was it was impossible to get the cotter key(or pin if you so desire) out. First suggestion if you disconnect the arm to step assembly. Replace the cotter key with a hair pin clip. Saves bruised and bleeding knuckles.
My next problem was using the numbers that were provided by folks here, I went to several stores, AutoZone, NAPA and independents and no one could find an exact replacement for my motor. Even Kwikee gave me the wrong numbers. I followed the work around as described here and jury rigged a replacement. Before doing that I replaced the little plastic bumpers in the gear housing, no improvement.
The replacement started with the symptoms the OP is experiencing while we were on the road and a tech tapped it with the rubber mallet and surprise they worked for all of two days.
Finally sat down at the computer for several crossed eyed hour looking at catalog after catalog of window life motors and found what has been a very reliable and perfect lift motor. It was made by AMI and was listed for a Ford F150 Crew Cab.
The reason I'm posting this info is that I've been through several problems, most of my own making and I can now go through the trouble shooting routine in the Kwikee manual, remove the entire lift motor and gear assembly, disassemble the gear assembly, clean, lube and reinstall and put in a new motor in about 30 minutes. I researched the Series 32 steps from their original design through todays super improved Power Gear model and have every gear and motor modification date. I also have decided after using several lubricants that the highly over priced Kwiklube is the best type of lube, "If you clean and lube your steps on a regular basis". Yes it gathers dust and dirt but that is why they need regular maintenance, what it doesn't do is wash out in a rain storm. An added benifit is now I can't hear my steps operate from inside the rig. My DW watches the step when I start the engine and until she sees that the steps are stowed, the rig doesn't move.
I stand by my first post, the symptom the OP gave, "If he performed routine maintenance", is symptomatic of a failing lift motor.
