Slide Maintenance

[Russmd]

I’m bringing my 2015 Forester to the dealer next week to get a couple of the broken slide seals replaced. Unfortunately I did not know about treating them routinely and they tore. The dealer recommended at the same time that they “service” my two slides which I imagine includes lubrication and any adjustment if necessary (they seem to work fine). He quoted me $175 per slide. Is he ripping me off or is it necessary? Should I get it done this one time being that I’ve had it 7 years? If I were to attempt anything myself, I don’t have the capability of getting into any motor compartments, but if it’s just spraying the tracks from the outside, that I can do. Thanks.

[Bama Rambler]

If you're fairly handy you can clean and lube the slide mechanisms and seals.

You need to get some dry slide lube and also get some slide seal lube/conditioner and clean the gear packs and racks if they need it. Then lube the gears and racks and spray the seals. You'll be able to tell what shape the rest of the seals are in while you're inspecting and lubing them.

A lot of people use Aerospace 303 on the seals.

[Russmd]

Thanks. The seals I can do, and I can get to the gear/motor for the slide under the bed, but I don’t know how to get to the mechanisms for the living room slide under the sofa.

[Bama Rambler]

Can you post a picture of the side and bottom of the slides. You may have Schwintek slides and if so the racks are on the sides of the slide.