Steps not retracting all the way

If sticking steps were an indication of imminent motor failure, then my 19 year old step motor should have died years ago. Periodically cleaning and lubing the pivots per the Kwikee manual, albeit not with their overpriced relabeled chain lube, has kept my steps working for a very long time now. I have had exactly the same symptoms as the OP on occasion, most recently after a long dirty, salty drive to Florida in January, but the clean and lube routine soon put it right once again.

When a customer come to me with your problem, I take the motor linkage LOOSE. I then spray liberal amounts of liquid wrench on all linkage and pivot points. I have to then with great force manually force the steps to retract and extend. It is usually very difficult to do until the Liquid wrench penetrates the pivot points. Once you have this done, the steps will then easily just fall open and with one finger you can retract. Then reconnect the linkage. THEN, clean and lube once a month. Your complaint is what usually ruins the step motor. Doug

Had that problem after a small Accident,, bent things back as best I could hammered a couple other things to give better clearance and still no joy.

Finally broke out the WD-40, this is a cleaner and penetrate That did the job.
Then a few days later hit it with a good quality lubrication spray.

When our steps move slow or don't come in all the way, I will spray them very generously with Simple Green and operate the steps and spray even more. I will get an old tooth brush and clean the tracks and the ball bearings that I can reach. Then, I hose them down really good and they seem to work just fine.

MM.

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.

Try hitting the motor with a rubber mallet or hammer. Sometimes the springs that hold the brushes against the rotors weaken or rust and tapping the motor helps seat them.

I don't mean this to be a permanent solution. It might get the steps in so you can get on down the road. I just went thru this problem and this is what worked for me. I'm now getting a new motor to install.

There may be some dirt build up in the pivot points that's restricting the smooth operation. Try spraying the pivot points with brake cleaner and working the steps in and out. When the steps operate smoothly, give each pivot a shot of motorcycle chain lube.