Just picked up the 2003 Moutain Aire by Newmar today. Stairs worked when we were there but when I got home after going in and out and having the stairs going in and out a few times when I closed the door the stairs only went in half way. IF I push with my foot I can get them in 3/4 of the way in. 1) is it the motor? 2) anything I can do? Right now parked in my yard and wanted to make sure that the stairs will go in when I store it, I can switch so the stairs keep out when parked but in the storage lot it needs to be all the way in (stairs). Disheartening since we just picked it up today. ALSO one of the storage bins will not shut tight, the tongue seems to not latch over the bar. I have sprayed it, banged it etc but it will not stay shut and cannot drive with it opening or spilling its contents all over the place. HELP! I did lubricate all the tongues on the doors because some were stuck in and not springing out. I noticed on this one that the tongues springs in and out if I push on it but if I life the handle it stays in so not sure what to spray. Engine seems great, home seems great!!

They need to be lubricated. Oil to get them working right, then maybe some light grease that will last.Dusty

Thanks I used some WD40 but same thing was happening. I lubricated the joints of the stairs, anywhere else?

Can you hear the motor running each time when it moves? If not check the electrical plug. Sometimes they will corrode. There will be a pin on the linkage as well. You can take out the pin and disconnect the motor to check the step. After you disconnect it you should be able to move the step in and out easily by hand. If not you can spray the pivot points to free them up.

RVER wrote:Thanks I used some WD40 but same thing was happening. I lubricated the joints of the stairs, anywhere else?There's a Lever/Bellcrank looking thing at the motor. Get under and look up. I sprayed ours with WD40 several years ago as a quick fix for failing to retract. Never went back with a better lube and the step has worked fine ever since. I bought some Blaster brand Chain and Cable Lube for my bike chains. Should be good for the Step. Oughta do it.DO NOT DO NOT mess with that linkage with the POWER connected!!! That motor can shear a finger slap off! Spray from a distance. If you want to tinker with it, DISCONNECT!

Do not use WD-40!Clean good with brake clean then use good quality grease. I use a spray can style for chains.

Stairs won't go all the way back in | Good Sam Community

30 Replies

dougrainer
Nomad
Dec 09, 2016
eHoefler wrote:
WD40 is not a lubricant.
Water Displacing formula 40

Developed to dry out electrical connections and as a rust penetrant.

Also works very well as starting fuid.

Glad to know this. I have freed up sticking step mechanisms for 30 years using WD40(probably over 500 steps). Gee, did not know it did not work:h You USE WD40 or even better Liquid Wrench to free up the rusted pivots on the linkages and step arm pivots. THEN you use a white grease type lube and clean off the excess. When steps do what the OP has, it is the rusted pivot points. Electric steps, when you disconnect the motor linkage, the steps should freely drop down and with 1 finger you can push fully retracted. IF you cannot, then use the WD40 to free up the linkages and then lube. Doug
eHoefler
Explorer II
Dec 09, 2016
WD40 is not a lubricant.
Water Displacing formula 40

Developed to dry out electrical connections and as a rust penetrant.

Also works very well as starting fuid.
gbopp
Explorer
Dec 09, 2016
RVER wrote:
Enblethen why no WD40? Grease will attract dirt worse won't it. I have some Boshield stuff and could use that and also have Lithium grease but once I have to disconnect electrical is more than what I should be doing.

There are many opinions when You Should Not Use WD-40.
Cydog15
Explorer
Dec 08, 2016
Rubber Mallet and hard blows to the motor has freed mine up twice. Sorry for the truth but the internal needs jarred. Lube won't get in there.
RVER
Explorer
Dec 08, 2016
Enblethen why no WD40? Grease will attract dirt worse won't it. I have some Boshield stuff and could use that and also have Lithium grease but once I have to disconnect electrical is more than what I should be doing.
enblethen
Nomad
Dec 08, 2016
Do not use WD-40!
Clean good with brake clean then use good quality grease. I use a spray can style for chains.
j-d
Explorer II
Dec 08, 2016
RVER wrote:
Thanks I used some WD40 but same thing was happening. I lubricated the joints of the stairs, anywhere else?

There's a Lever/Bellcrank looking thing at the motor. Get under and look up. I sprayed ours with WD40 several years ago as a quick fix for failing to retract. Never went back with a better lube and the step has worked fine ever since. I bought some Blaster brand Chain and Cable Lube for my bike chains. Should be good for the Step. Oughta do it.

DO NOT DO NOT mess with that linkage with the POWER connected!!! That motor can shear a finger slap off! Spray from a distance. If you want to tinker with it, DISCONNECT!
The_real_wild1
Explorer
Dec 08, 2016
Can you hear the motor running each time when it moves? If not check the electrical plug. Sometimes they will corrode. There will be a pin on the linkage as well. You can take out the pin and disconnect the motor to check the step. After you disconnect it you should be able to move the step in and out easily by hand. If not you can spray the pivot points to free them up.
RVER
Explorer
Dec 08, 2016
Thanks I used some WD40 but same thing was happening. I lubricated the joints of the stairs, anywhere else?
Dusty_R
Explorer
Dec 08, 2016
They need to be lubricated. Oil to get them working right, then maybe some light grease that will last.

Dusty

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Stairs won't go all the way back in

30 Replies

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