Isata 3 Kwikee Step

[TnT33618]

It makes a grinding noise after it fully retracts. Do I need a new gearbox, or is it running longer than it should? Is there a way to shorten the cycle? The RV is a 2016 with little use

Thanks
Tim

[bclemens]

"little use" is actually the best way to shorten the life. These things actually want to be used...but when driving down and getting salt and other things on them and then sitting idle, engines, batteries, etc age quicker than if they are getting used every day.

That's not the answer to the question, I know...but just noting that for the record.

[TnT33618]

Thanks Brian. When I get the step fixed, I promise I’ll use it more. 🤣

I’ll order a new gearbox and hope that handles things

[bclemens]

Originally Posted by TnT33618

Thanks Brian. When I get the step fixed, I promise I’ll use it more. 🤣

I’ll order a new gearbox and hope that handles things

That's the ticket...any excuse to use it. All the parts (except the tires) are happier for it. Including the occupants.

[Dbrote]

When my steps stopped working two years ago I found the motor had a bad seal that allowed water in and froze the motor. I emailed Kwikee and they were very nice to send me a new motor no charge. Very good customer service. I was not under any sort of warranty as I was a second owner of my 2016 2400R.
Good luck. By the way it’s a lot easier to take the motor and gearbox out if the steps are extended. Otherwise you have use a long tool to take out the step linkage cotter pin and knock the pin out.
By the way, after the fix no trouble whatsoever. I do spray the moving parts once in while with graphite lube.

[NearDenver]

We had something like that in out 3 year old Isata 3. Step would only come out a few inches. Turns out you are expected to do basic maintenance on an rv. (Who knew)
A little WD40 and all good.

[Rkloud9]

Our step on a 2017 SunSeeker MBS 2400W failed last year. We really use our RV (58000 miles, about 24 months on board), and regularly sprayed the mechanism with WD40 Lithium Grease.

I tore into it, and removed the motor and gearbox. The step needs to Be retracted for easiest access, and is plenty hard to reach unless the RV is up in the air. The bad news was that the bolts that hold the gearbox in place are not secured in any way to the plate above it, and two of them “disappeared”, pushing through that plate... this necessitated removing the entire step assembly, a real PiTA!

FYI, that gearbox is pretty solid. The motor is really easy to remove, and worth replacing first before attacking the gearbox (and possibly ending up having to take off the whole step system). Also, the motor is much cheaper than the gearbox, and readily available from several sources on line.

Hope this helps!

Bob.

[BDenn]

If you remove the motor you can test the gear box by turning the coupling. A little oil and grease in the gearbox might make it work esp. if you can take it apart.

[Jpheifer]

I would call quieke tech support / they are very helpful / I wish there was a better option but there’s not !

[TnT33618]

Thanks for the guidance everyone. I disassembled the unit and the gears didn’t look worn. I did remove the arm, moved it 180 degrees and repinned it, but it still makes the grinding sound.

A new gear box was ordered and should be in soon. I will report back when installed.

Tim