We came home from our recent trip with our 2017 Flagstaff 8528RLIKWS and tried to run the slides out to unload. We park in a covered RV shed with full hookups when home. Lo and behold the main slide would not move! We were blessed this happened at home at the end of the trip. I could hear the motor run but nothing happened. I ran the slide out manually and tried to close it....same song second verse.
After a couple of days thinking on it I was convinced it was something mechanical and possibly simple. I did the usual google searches and you tube viewing. Not knowing the different slide-out systems I mistakenly thought ours was a rack and pinion which possibly meant a shear pin failure. I messaged one of our more prolific members who has a similar model and he corrected me on the system and pointed me to documents and manuals which helped me big time! (Thanks again 5 picker). He also suggested I post pics and procedure in case it helps anyone else, so here goes:
The system is a through the frame electric by Lippert and the motor drives an actuator with a gear assembly. I was expecting to have to purchase a new motor as the gear assembly is not serviceable and this system has no shear pin. So with the help of the manuals made available and the video I had an idea where to cut the underbelly to find the motor. Also by having DW hit the switch while I listened underneath.
When I cut the access hole and reached up to the motor it was not secure on the tube of the actuator. The single bolt that holds the motor in place had worked itself loose and the motor was just hanging on the tube, obviously not in contact with the mechanism inside the tube. My solution? Place a few drops of red Locktite on the bolt and replace it and tighten it. Problem solved, poster happy and money saved! Pics below.
PS the last pics are of the start of the patching of the underbelly. My preference is to use the Zip system flashing tape but I only had a partial roll. I you need to repair anything that needs tape check it out at Lowe's or Amazon. Like Eternabond, you better have it in the correct place when you commit .. it sticks! I was able to get the gorilla tape locally today, but will watch close and follow up with the flashing tape if needed.
PSS from the Lippert manual, instructions for manually operating a slide. I did not know this when I opened the slide, but was lucky the motor was not engaging. Good thing for all of us to remember:
Note: Always disconnect battery from system prior to manually operating system. Failure to disconnect
battery can cause electricity to backfeed through the motor and cause serious damage to the
system as well as void the warranty.
Linear Mode
