Slide out "clunked" and now won't extend 100%

Dano1955 · 06-03-2017, 07:15 PM

First off, tried searching nothing matching but a lot of slide out issues so tried to read those that seemed close by the title, but just to many. I even think I read something similar to my situation months ago but can't find it.

My story (long winded I am). Went to storage to do some minor work getting ready for my June trip. Hooked up to my genny bolted and locked on cargo carrier (hitch type). Nothing unusual, manual says to be on shore or genny before slide operation just for battery sake. I usually do that, but it does work fine on 12v only.

Turned on the TV just to have some company, then began extending slide out. It was mostly out except for about 3-4 inches and I heard a clunk and it stopped extending. Motor kept running, but slide went no further. Soooo, I began to bring the slide in and it wouldn't come in, but again motor running. 'Course I freaked, left the manual procedures at home

Well, on a whim I held the button to bring the slide in listening for anything out of the ordinary. After about 15 seconds the slide started in and came in all the way. Thought maybe it got outta sync and had sync'd itself back so began to put the slide out again. No go, this time it would only go half way, even holding the button for 10 seconds after it had stopped. Then began to bring the slide in and, motor running, did not move for at least 10 seconds or so, then started in, came in all the way. Did that twice more with same results.

So something is outta wack and I'm not sure really what to check. I may need to take someone to operate the button while I'm underneath watching, but thought if anyone here had some ideas on what to check that would perhaps get me checking the right things.

this is a Lippert above floor I'm pretty sure because it tilts up in the front when bringing it in and out.

Rig is in my Sig. Still under warranty but if something I can do myself I would rather. You know how RV repair shops can be.

Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions

BandJCarm · 06-03-2017, 07:25 PM

I'm NOT technical........but I have had major slide problems. One question........and if the answer is "Y", then PM me.

Do you have an Alta based remote system that operates the slides, and other things?

Dano1955 · 06-03-2017, 07:27 PM

No, basic in/out wall switch, nuttin fancy. Just more to go bad IMO

**Bama Rambler** · 06-03-2017, 08:11 PM

It sounds like you may have sheared the drive pin and by running the motor long enough it caught enough to move the slide.

It's not too terribly big of a job to replace the drive shear pin, but it may take a little work to get the holes lined back up and the old pin out.

Dano1955 · 06-04-2017, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bama Rambler

It sounds like you may have sheared the drive pin and by running the motor long enough it caught enough to move the slide.

It's not too terribly big of a job to replace the drive shear pin, but it may take a little work to get the holes lined back up and the old pin out.

Well, have been looking for youtube or pics on google or multiple forums but can't find anything to "look" at. Is this something obviously recognizable, i.e. I'll know it when I see it?

Anyone here have any pics that I can get a look-see?

spower · 06-04-2017, 01:16 PM

See if it's dragging on a tire! Look up my post about my nightmare!

Dano1955 · 06-04-2017, 04:21 PM

Nope, not dragging. Went out again today and took some pics. The slide will only go out 1/4 of the way. Pushed "out" motor running about 10-15 secs, slide started out, then stopped and would go no further. When I brought in in the motor ran for 10-15 seconds befor the slide started to come in, but it came in all the way.

Any help?

**Bama Rambler** · 06-04-2017, 07:57 PM

I don't see the motor in any of those pictures. It's at the other end of the rod.

Does the motor make any odd sounds while running?

I suggest finding the manual crank shaft and try to move the room manually. If it moves like it should you most likely have something wrong in or at the gearbox.

Dano1955 · 06-04-2017, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bama Rambler

I don't see the motor in any of those pictures. It's at the other end of the rod.

Does the motor make any odd sounds while running?

I suggest finding the manual crank shaft and try to move the room manually. If it moves like it should you most likely have something wrong in or at the gearbox.

Looking for the docs from lippert, the "manual" I received doesn't have much. I have enclosed underbelly so will have to cut it open and see how it looks, motor must be there. will also try to manual extend to see how it goes. The motor runs and sounds fine, just no movement. Still looking for shear pin thingy.

Thanks

**Bama Rambler** · 06-04-2017, 08:48 PM

The shear pin will either be in or just outside the gearbox. Depends on what isn't turning. It could even be a stripped gear in the gearbox.

Dano1955 · 06-05-2017, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bama Rambler

The shear pin will either be in or just outside the gearbox. Depends on what isn't turning. It could even be a stripped gear in the gearbox.

Well, had to open the bottom up and use ratchet. But found a problem. Not sure if this is the only problem but have to get this fixed and continue on. As you can see the bracket that holds the actuator rod was twisted and may have been the clunk I heard. The two nipples that go into the holes on either side of the bracket (is that the shear pin?) had come out, but seem to be undamaged. Took this to Camping World (hwy 66 and I-25 abput) and talked to Rhonda the OEM parts and she said it's going to take awhile to track it down. She took me to talk to Jake in the shop and he looked at it and gave me the name of a welder in town, said they could make one in a day and wouldn't cost as much as the shipping for one ordered from the factory. took it in about noon and they said they'll have it ready tomorrow. Once I get this put back and the actuator rod re-stablized, I'll try the slide again tomorrow. I took a video but it's over 95MB so won't upload that here, but definitely sending that to Forest River and Lippert.

Added another pic of the motor and what I assume is the shear bolt?

2Evil4U · 06-06-2017, 07:10 AM

Hard to determine but what is supposed to be attached to those studs?

**Bama Rambler** · 06-06-2017, 07:56 AM

That's not the pins I was thinking of, but that's certainly a problem. Hopefully the bracket that the welder is fabricating will fix the problem for good.

Dano1955 · 06-06-2017, 08:47 AM

Hope so, but I'm not optimistic. Something (actuator?) had to bind up to cause the bracket to twist so bad. Not hearing anything that would indicate that but will know today after replacing bracket & re-stabilizing the rod.

Thanks for hanging in there with me

Dano1955 · 06-06-2017, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2Evil4U

Hard to determine but what is supposed to be attached to those studs?

Will take a pic of the bracket(s) both the old twisted and the new one today before installing so you can see where those "bolt head" like pins on the arm fit into the bracket.

Dano1955 · 06-06-2017, 05:41 PM

Some pics of the bracket(s). Showing the old one after the welding shop straightened it out (wish they wouldn't have, but didn't tell them not to, but they said easier to get the exact copy made.)

The bottom part was the twisted piece and they made a new piece of 1/4 steel instead of 3/16 like the original.

Will get out there tomorrow to replace and see how everything goes. The "bolt heads" showing in the previous pic in front of the motor (one on each side of the actuator rod) go into the holes on both sides of the bracket

**Bama Rambler** · 06-07-2017, 11:12 AM

I think that bracket will work fine. Hopefully the factory bracket was just a case of soft metal, and the new one will hold up long term.

Dano1955 · 06-07-2017, 12:49 PM

The bracket was the issue. Getting twisted allowed the front of the actuator bar to come out. That should have kept it stationary, but the bar and the motor attached was moving rather that the slide, at least partly. Getting a new bracket and reinstalling now has the motor and controls firmly in place and the actuator and gears will run the slide in and out.

Still have no idea what stress could have caused that bracket to twist. Maybe the actuator was bound up and somehow "unbound" itself. Or it could have been that the bracket was somehow already slightly twisted and just kept getting worse each time the slide was moved out. In any event I checked the gears, mounts, control bars and everything I could see and nothing was stripped or broken.

Lesson learned and I feel more confidant now that I can handle another issue if it comes up.

Thanks to everyone who had some input and encouragement

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