8289ws slide trouble

[PhoneDude 8289]

300+ miles from home and slide trouble. Had it to a shop, not fixed. Called local dealer they said it could take months to get to.
Got the RV under cover and for the first time I was able to get under there and have a look for myself. First off I was told by the guy at dealer where we got the unit that the slides were maintenance free, WRONG! After seeing all the corrosion under there doesn't take rocket science to figure it needs maintenance. The rack and pinion that drives the non powered end of the slide is rusted as are the gears. The gear that's on the powered end closest to the back of the RV has several teeth missing, see picture. This lets the powered end try to move the slide but the non powered end cannot move, the slide binds and the clutch slips. If I can get FR to send me that gear I can fix this myself and not have to wait for who knows how long to fix something that looks like it would take an hour or so.
Click image for larger version

[PhoneDude 8289]

Here are a few more pictures of the broken gear. Removed gear pack from RV and took it apart to get a better look at the gear. Talked with FR, they said they would send a new gear pack at no charge. I'll report back on how long it takes to get the part. Took all of 15 min to remove it from the RV.

[CLT]

Good job getting it out of there. Have you considered what you are going to do to prevent this from happening again?

[PhoneDude 8289]

Not sure if it was a defect in the gear or maybe the rollers a bit out of round?? Any suggestions? Had the bottom opened up, everything looks looks ok except for some rust on everything. Going to clean all that up and apply a bit of dry lube, put it all back together and see how it goes. I'll have DW move the slide out and back in while I watch the action from down under

[CLT]

My TT is a 2014 also. I know the setup on my one slide looks about the same as yours rust wise. Kinda like disc brake rotors I assume it doesn't take much for these to rust. However, I wonder what caused the weakening of the teeth. Looks like a strong part so I'm not sure what would cause the failure.

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by CLT

My TT is a 2014 also. I know the setup on my one slide looks about the same as yours rust wise. Kinda like disc brake rotors I assume it doesn't take much for these to rust. However, I wonder what caused the weakening of the teeth. Looks like a strong part so I'm not sure what would cause the failure.

What will cause the failure are 3 things, not being lubed with a dry lube and not being level before you let it out or bring it in. Or the steel was not harden correctly. I dry lube mine 3x's per year.That looks pretty rusted to me by the photo ...

[zs325RES]

Guys, I've been in the gear business for over 20 years.
This part looks like a PM (Powdered Metal) gear, a molded part made in a press. These are cheap to make, but can be fragile regarding sheer forces. The failure pictured looks exactly like this. A cut steel gear would be much stronger, but we all know how the RV industry works - cheap and dirty, believe me, I have personal experiences.

Nice work getting the gear out, and I hope you get the replacement soon.
Be careful of shock loading when operating your slide. Most likely the failed part was defective, possibly porosity, or a material deficiency.

[CLT]

Good to know zs325RES. Is something like this with a hex center available in a better grade?

Now I'm worried about storing things in my dinette benches as it looks like the less weight the better on these things.

[youroo]

Sorry guys but the (Teeth engagement) adjustment is NOT proper! The Gear is (Lifting up from the Rack) this is evedent by the wear marks on the teeth of the gear. What you have is the (Tip) of the gear & rack (NOT) engaged properly,causing Gear teeth breakage! Pic. in post #1 looks like bent rack limiter tab. Youroo!!

[CLT]

So, the teeth on the gear aren't fully engaging the teeth on the slide as they should be. Now that I look at the pic, there does seem to be a small angle of difference between the two. What sort of adjustment is available?

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by CLT

Good to know zs325RES. Is something like this with a hex center available in a better grade?

Now I'm worried about storing things in my dinette benches as it looks like the less weight the better on these things.

Once it is replaced, lube it and forget it. A static load won't break it. The original might have be slightly out of time and broke the 2 or 3 teeth off. Have seen powdered metal gears temporarily repaired using brazing rod and build a single tooth back up. Won't last long tho'.

[PhoneDude 8289]

The rack was lubed with dry lube 2 months after delivery. RV is 5 months old with about 40 days of camping. Not sure how many cycles on the slides, I also extend and retract the slides while in storage to do things in and on the RV. We didn't hear any popping or strange noises till it wouldn't extend. Guess I'll follow OC's advise and put it back together lube it up and enjoy the RV again once I get the gear pack. I'll make it part of my monthly maintenance to lube slide gears. Delivering dealer said lube not necessary on the slides. "RIGHT"

[PhoneDude 8289]

I put the old bearing pack on the workbench, Cleaned the rollers (2) that the slide rides on either side of the gear. I used my dial indicator to test the runout in each roller One roller had .005/1000 runout the other had .028/1000 runout (out of round). Don't know what the tolerance is on these rollers but I would think the latter may be out of tolerance. You better believe that I will be checking the new gear pack when I get it. Makes me wonder about the remaining 3 gear packs under the slides.

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by presley01

I put the old bearing pack on the workbench, Cleaned the rollers (2) that the slide rides on either side of the gear. I used my dial indicator to test the runout in each roller One roller had .005/1000 runout the other had .028/1000 runout (out of round). Don't know what the tolerance is on these rollers but I would think the latter may be out of tolerance. You better believe that I will be checking the new gear pack when I get it. Makes me wonder about the remaining 3 gear packs under the slides.

Sure don't like hearing that, keep us informed.......Thanks

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by gljurczyk

Sure don't like hearing that, keep us informed.......Thanks

Not to worry Glenn, it is by far not a precision gear and track. 0.028 is not a significant amount of run out on something as crudely built as the track mechanism on our slides. There is probably that much slack in the shaft/bushing/roller/gear clearances, but it is nice to have this information.

[PhoneDude 8289]

OC is more than likely correct as less than 1/32" isn't allot. I was checking all I could and wondering how much is too much. Those rollers carry the weight of the slide. Wire brushed all the gear tracks and lubed with dry graphite. Waiting on new part now.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by presley01

OC is more than likely correct as less than 1/32" isn't allot. I was checking all I could and wondering how much is too much. Those rollers carry the weight of the slide. Wire brushed all the gear tracks and lubed with dry graphite. Waiting on new part now.

It's a pretty crude mechanism to say the least, but it should be more than capable of being trouble free for the most part if just kept reasonably clean and lubed. It is pretty well protected in the stow position which is a plus.

[zs325RES]

X2 regarding OC posts , spot on.

A cut steel gear would be stronger, but very 'expensive' in the eyes of the RV industry, plus the hex bore is more easily reproduced as a PM part.

You will be OK with the new parts. I think you had a defective gear (material) to start with. I does make me question my Lippert slide mechanisms though...

[PhoneDude 8289]

Got the gear replaced. Lubed it up like OC said, ran it in and out several times, runs smooth as silk. Took about an hour to install and adjust for it to pull out and retract evenly. FR sent the gear pack, no charge. Tools needed, a 9/16" wrench and socket, 7/16" wrench and socket and a tape measure to be sure the slide sits square.

[CLT]

Glad to hear it came to a quick resolution. Hope the new one will be trouble-free.