step broke

MC9 · 09-11-2014, 06:52 AM

Well, it finally happened to me. Stepped out of the rv and darned near broke a leg. Bolt on second step let go. They are a type of pop rivet and it separated. Zipped into TSC and bought 5/16 bolts and locknuts, ground off all the pop rivets, drilled larger holes and replaced them all. There is no warning, like wear showing. I can't warn you to look out for this or that.

vinmaker · 09-11-2014, 07:23 AM

OMG! Glad nothing happened to you. People totally underestimate the danger with these steps. People just assume they will support them and when they fail like happened to you - watch out!!

Vin.

kinzoo · 09-11-2014, 07:29 AM

I know 3 other Cedar Creek owners who have had the same problem...
Steps probably made in China.
IMO very bad quality control @ Cedar Creek.

**Herk7769** · 09-11-2014, 07:34 AM

All the rivets on my Lippert steps are now replaced with grade 8 bolts and hardware and I have no more worries about them shearing off under repeated load.

I do know several sets were replaced at no cost by Lippert at the rally.
I would contact them to see about yours. Perhaps they will send you a new set as a good will measure.

I did not look for mine to be replaced since, with the new hardware, the steps are better now than new ones.

DAISY BOYKIN · 09-11-2014, 07:55 AM

Drilled and cut off all "POP-RIVETS" on my 2011 Rockwood steps about a year ago.

Replaced with Stainless 1/4" x 1" X 20 bolts with stainless locking nuts, better than new.

RhoZeta · 09-11-2014, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAISY BOYKIN

Drilled and cut off all "POP-RIVETS" on my 2011 Rockwood steps about a year ago.

Replaced with Stainless 1/4" x 1" X 20 bolts with stainless locking nuts, better than new.

I would be careful with that, 1/4" SS bolts are not much stronger than the rivets you replaced. As Herk and others did above, 5/16" grade 8 hardware would be ideal, at the very least grade 5.
Since SS hardware is not hardened it is not much better than cheapo grade 2 hardware that comes with a new ikea filing cabinet..

Duckogram · 09-12-2014, 07:07 AM

Rivit failure on those fine quality OEM steps is not unusual. Mine let go at the ripe old age of 6 months. I had already had a foot injury so fortunately I was hanging on to the D handle tightly. Did a field repair with a 5/16 grade 8 Panhead and a jam nut. Final repair was to remove the OEM 3 step and replace it with an ETD QuadraStep. Added a removable stabilizer under the 3rd step down which got rid if the "bounce" and lived happily ever after.

MC9 · 09-12-2014, 08:01 AM

After fixing the steps they were a little stiff. A little squirt of silicone helped but, rubbing a candle on the slide arc underneath really helped.

DAISY BOYKIN · 09-12-2014, 08:32 AM

Stainless 1/4" dia bolts are better than 3/16" aluminum hollow pop rivets any day. I put a 1/4" stainless flat washer under the head of the bolt and under the locking nut to be able to adjust the tightness of the bolts so the steps would not bind. For 1/4" under the bolt head there is no threads, just solid stainless that fit through the hole. Grant you the stainless is not as hard as the grade 8 bolt, but the stainless bolts are harder than the material the steps are made of.

RhoZeta · 09-13-2014, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAISY BOYKIN

Grant you the stainless is not as hard as the grade 8 bolt, but the stainless bolts are harder than the material the steps are made of.

Not even as good a grade 5 either, actually more along the lines of a grade 2 bolt. (Hence the joke about furniture hardware) Stainless is not hardened at all, it is very soft. That is why I would caution against using it in places where loads, especially shearing loads, are present.

skydoctor · 10-03-2014, 02:29 PM

I had the same problem but, I called Flexco direct in Elkhart and they now have a retro kit that they will give you free to take care of that problem.

Hope this helps.

Contact

P.O. Box 1582
2415 Bryant Street
Elkhart, IN 46515-1582
Phone: 574.294.2502
Fax: 574.294.1734
Email: info@flexcoproducts.com

kinzoo · 10-03-2014, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kinzoo

I know 3 other Cedar Creek owners who have had the same problem...
Steps probably made in China.
IMO very bad quality control @ Cedar Creek.

Actually, they were made in Mexico...

I sent out an email to Flexco Products, Inc., manufacturers
of the steps.

Two of my side brackets were bent, they sent me a repair kit (2 new brackets) and 4 replacement bolts (grade 8, 5/16 x 1") with nylon locking nuts.

Had to drill out old rivets (1/4") and re-drill to 5/16".

I bought 4 more and replaced the rest.
Steps are quite a bit firmer now.

RamLab2 · 10-07-2014, 03:52 PM

I had them replaced once under warranty for rivet failure. On second failure after warranty ran out. Notified Flexco and got this PDF in return. No repair kit sent. I also used 3/4" length bolts.

Crusader · 10-07-2014, 04:10 PM

Speaking of steps. I got tired of trying to get onto my steps with uneven grades. The first riser was always 18” or more. I fabricated this add on step that bolts on. No more wood box to put on the ground.

**Herk7769** · 10-07-2014, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamLab2

I had them replaced once under warranty for rivet failure. On second failure after warranty ran out. Notified Flexco and got this PDF in return. No repair kit sent. I also used 3/4" length bolts.

A lame response for sure.

GJones · 10-07-2014, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crusader

Speaking of steps. I got tired of trying to get onto my steps with uneven grades. The first riser was always 18” or more. I fabricated this add on step that bolts on. No more wood box to put on the ground.

That looks great Crusader !!

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