I had my step motor go out last week. I checked my usual subscribed channels and your video was the easiest and closest to my application. Very helpful to me. It really is an easy fix if you are handy. Thank you again for a great video.
Buddy...I have the exact step and was SO grateful for your video as I prepared to change out the motor. I figured since it took you 15 minutes it would take me an hour 😉 Well, it took me three hours...Geezzz! Those spacers were a bugger. Anyhoo, replaced the motor and it's a no go. Waiting for the controller to arrive so I can spend another afternoon under the coach. Thanks !
Good instructions really helped. After struggling with installation i ran a tap thru the holes in the plate to clean the rust and debris then assembled easily. Thanks
I’ll be changing my step motor in the next few days. Your video builds my confidence that it should be an easy job. That’s always dangerous optimism. We’re full time and have been on the road for two months. It will be nice to not have to use a stool with a rope attached in the center of the step. Thanks for the video.
I discovered when installing a new motor and gear plate on my steps that the position of the steps when you reassemble everything does not matter. The steps can be in - out - or anywhere in between. The motor works on pressure to stop going in either direction so it has no idea the current position of the steps. Once you get everything put back together and activate the switch it will pick up from that position and go to the open or closed position depending on which you are calling for. Made reassembly a lot easier.
Hi Tom, thanks for sharing this! Gosh that has been so long ago I had to go back quickly and scroll forward to take a look at the video again to that specific point. It looks like and seems...(If my memory serves me correctly)...on ours...I had to hold the step up to get it out of my way. Hope I don’t have to find out again. 😂🤪
We just had a problem with our 2006 Newmar. Step would not retract. Banged on motor and it worked sporadically. Took motor out and cleaned the brushes hoping that would work. After several wasted hours it still works sporadically... Oh well now we know how replace it easily when we get a new one. Lesson learned. Great video by the way, but you seemed to have less of a problem getting the motor bolts back in then we did.
Hey, kudos for trying to fix the motor first! I’m the same way, I like the challenge of trying to fix something first. The bolts can be a little tricky if you don’t have it all quite lined. Hope you get your motor replaced soon. 😊
Hi! Thanks so much for the easy to follow instructions on replacing the step motor. As advised by you (and by Lippert) we ordered our part from Amazon (didn't get quite as good a deal as you did, but was glad to get it) and it arrived today (Sunday). Husband and I are thinking, 3 bolts, plug it in, should be working in 20-30 minutes, including gathering the needed tools. We had already removed our old part. When we got ready to put the bolts through the holes of the new part, they absolutely would not go in. Comparing the holes of the old part (which the bolts just slid through) to the new one, it was obvious the holes in the new part were smaller. We considered drilling them out but don't know that we may do more damage and we don't want to pay $150.00 plus for another new part. I have a call in to a friend that works on rv's for ideas but haven't heard back from him and tomorrow (Monday) I will call Lippert guy again and ask him what we should do. Since we are in Elkhart right now, maybe they will make the part good. In the meantime, do you have any suggestions. Fyi...this is how everything husband and I try to do goes...we always have some unusual issue.
Oh no, so sorry to hear about the issues with the new part. Sounds like it is not the right part or they surely would have the correct diameter for the bolts. I would wait and see what Lippert says. Let me know what they say.
I called Lippert this morning. Spoke with same person I spoke to Friday. He told me they were aware that there had been quite a few that were shipped over that way from manufacturer. He said just drill it out a bit. When questioned if there was anything we had to be careful not to damage. He said no big deal, drill it out, it's just plastic. I'll let you know how that goes in case someone else encounters the problem.
Interesting. As long as there is plenty of thickness to the area and won’t weaken it, I would say you should be fine. That makes you wonder if you returned it and bought another if it would be the right size holes. Doesn’t seem right that you would have to do that after paying so much for the part. Thanks for the update and good luck!👍🏻
I was concerned about the same thing and thickness of walls being drilled and asked about damage we might cause. That's when he replied it would be fine and it was plastic (which...I don't think so since they certainly looked like metal slivers to me.) Anyway we got it drilled using a bit that was the size of the holes in the old part...and moved on. It was easy with one minor glitch...one of the bolt's threads were boogered up on the very last thread and wouldn't thread into the hole. Hubby said have to go get a new one (which my guess with our luck would have been one of those "special" bolts that would have been as hard to find as Jimmy Hoffa's body). I said "Give me a file." I did a little filing on the last thread and cleaned it up and voila...in she went. Finished up...plugged it in and it works fine. Thank you again for the easy to follow video.
Awesome! Great job using the file! I’ve had to do that a time or two years ago as well as using a tap. Nerve wrecking when you’re not sure if you can even get a replacement bolt or if you are needing it “right now.” We are SO happy that video helped someone! 👍🏻😊🤓
Yep. Got the part for 40$ followed the video and voila! Steps are fixed now. Figured I saved between $300 and $800 so I've been told by rv mechanics. Those rv repair shops charge a minimum of $60 an hr! Not an easy go of it though. Just stick with it! Thanks!😂😂
Love your videos! You did a great job but you forgot one thing. Your safety glasses! We are really enjoying all of your adventures. We just got a 2020 Tiffin Allegro Open Road and hoping to retire soon (or as soon as the COVID is done!)
Thank you! You are right, I’ve always been really bad about putting safety glasses on but it is a wise to do. That’s always so exciting to hear someone getting ready to hit the road. It brings back memories of when we started. We were very nervous and excited at the time, but even more exciting thinking back now. Congrats and cherish the days ahead! 🧡😊🤓
Hi gentleman ! Thank you for this video. I would add something, if you have problems to screw bolt, in frame; if bolt are loosen in frame, i put insert threaded in each hole. It’s magnifique. My sucks is that the mobile plate is to screwed hardly. I can’t unscrew it. Do you have some tips for that?
Thanks Steve, heard that before also but for some reason it wouldn’t unless I did it that way, which is why I mentioned it. Not sure if some controllers are different or what the deal was. Probably user error somehow. 🤷♂️
Hi Brian, great video. My entry steps have a problem. When the switch or door is activated they either go part way in or part way out and stop and the motor has a loud humming noise. Could this be a bad motor, thx again.
I would look and make sure something is not jammed preventing them from going all the way in first... like a stick or rock, then I'd get some spray lube and lube all the hinges and moving parts that you can.
Thanks! My steps work smoothly but will only work in warm weather. I initially ordered a new controller which turned out not to be the issue, so sending it back. Ordered a new motor on Amazon today. They are even cheaper now! ($49.00) Hoping this solves my issue. Not sure what else could be causing the issue except the motor, considering its' finicky desire to not be cold. 🥶😁
I know you did this a while back but wanted to ask you if you had to drill out the holes on the new motor? Also am I correct that one spacer has to go on top of the plate and the second spacer on top of the second plate? I bought one motor which cost $174.00 and would have to drill out the holes to 1/4 so not wanted to do that, I ordered a cheaper motor at $58.00 to see if that would would fit without drilling out the holes.
I did not have to drill anything out, just remove and replace. As far as the spacers, I am drawing a blank on that. It’s been too long ago for my brain to remember. Lol Hope the cheaper motor works for ya. 👍🏻
@@LivinRVision I received the second motor which had the correct hole size. This motor and the original motor look the same. I looked back at your video and saw where the spacers go. Install hopefully today. I am returning the $174.00 motor to Amazon.
The step on my motor home is stuck in the "in" position and won't come out. Checked fuse, wiring, etc. Narrowed the problem down to either the step motor or the controller for the step. We were unable to test the step motor due to the type of lead coming off the motor itself. I guess you knew your step motor was faulty due to the noises it was making. I was wondering if I remove the step motor if I can pull the steps out manually? I appreciated you telling us about buying the replacement part on Amazon!
I knew our step motor was bad, because I removed it and held a pair of pliars on the gear ever so lightly while the motor was running and it took very little pressure to make the gear skip internally in the motor. When the motor was still attached to the coach, and we would try to engage the step to go in and out, it was obvious that it was skipping and not catching on the gear. That’s why I took the motor off and tested it by seeing how much pressure it took to stop the gear from turning. In our case, it was very obvious. Does yours make a noise as if it is “trying” to run? If it does, then I would remove the motor and plug it back in while holding the motor and see if the motor will run. If the gear turns, then both it and the controller are good and your gear to the steps itself are stuck. Process of elimination, but it’s hard to diagnose without being there as things can get misconstrued through verbal communication. Good luck with yours Mike and let us all know what you find out. 😊🤓
Need help: one of my motor bolts fell out so I bolted it back on now the steps extend and retract but when its extends fully the gears makes a grinding noise for about 3 seconds then the motor stop
Did the gear slip when the bolt fell out and possibly was not in the correct position when you bolted it back? It’s hard to say without looking at it but it sounds like it’s not in the correct position, like off just enough for that 3 second difference, and wants to keep going which makes it grind (or slip).
No, but when you take yours off it should have a number on it that will help you find the model for your own. Sometimes it’s been replaced with a newer version. That’s what happened with ours.
Hi Bonnie - Hopefully this was meant as a joke and you aren’t really having an issue remembering where they go? If not…this video was so long ago and back when we had this Class A and unfortunately my memory isn’t good enough to remember something like this, so long ago…Sorry. :( If it was something a person did on a daily basis, it would be easier to remember. But even at that, it may be different on a different Class A/step motor. Hopefully you can recall that where they were when you took them off.
I had my step motor go out last week. I checked my usual subscribed channels and your video was the easiest and closest to my application. Very helpful to me.
It really is an easy fix if you are handy.
Thank you again for a great video.
Buddy...I have the exact step and was SO grateful for your video as I prepared to change out the motor. I figured since it took you 15 minutes it would take me an hour 😉 Well, it took me three hours...Geezzz! Those spacers were a bugger. Anyhoo, replaced the motor and it's a no go. Waiting for the controller to arrive so I can spend another afternoon under the coach. Thanks !
Hope that takes care of it for you.
Good instructions really helped. After struggling with installation i ran a tap thru the holes in the plate to clean the rust and debris then assembled easily. Thanks
I’ll be changing my step motor in the next few days. Your video builds my confidence that it should be an easy job. That’s always dangerous optimism. We’re full time and have been on the road for two months. It will be nice to not have to use a stool with a rope attached in the center of the step. Thanks for the video.
I discovered when installing a new motor and gear plate on my steps that the position of the steps when you reassemble everything does not matter. The steps can be in - out - or anywhere in between. The motor works on pressure to stop going in either direction so it has no idea the current position of the steps. Once you get everything put back together and activate the switch it will pick up from that position and go to the open or closed position depending on which you are calling for. Made reassembly a lot easier.
Hi Tom, thanks for sharing this! Gosh that has been so long ago I had to go back quickly and scroll forward to take a look at the video again to that specific point. It looks like and seems...(If my memory serves me correctly)...on ours...I had to hold the step up to get it out of my way. Hope I don’t have to find out again. 😂🤪
Some people just have to criticize someone for something..great video straight and to the point
The good thing is there are many more out there that are very positive and not so critical. 🧡😊🤓
Excellent Video! We don't have a step motor but if we did, this is an easy to understand DIY Vid. Great Job Brian
Thank you so much! Appreciate the kind words. 🧡
@@LivinRVision YW💚
We just had a problem with our 2006 Newmar. Step would not retract. Banged on motor and it worked sporadically. Took motor out and cleaned the brushes hoping that would work. After several wasted hours it still works sporadically... Oh well now we know how replace it easily when we get a new one. Lesson learned. Great video by the way, but you seemed to have less of a problem getting the motor bolts back in then we did.
Hey, kudos for trying to fix the motor first! I’m the same way, I like the challenge of trying to fix something first. The bolts can be a little tricky if you don’t have it all quite lined. Hope you get your motor replaced soon. 😊
Hi! Thanks so much for the easy to follow instructions on replacing the step motor. As advised by you (and by Lippert) we ordered our part from Amazon (didn't get quite as good a deal as you did, but was glad to get it) and it arrived today (Sunday). Husband and I are thinking, 3 bolts, plug it in, should be working in 20-30 minutes, including gathering the needed tools. We had already removed our old part. When we got ready to put the bolts through the holes of the new part, they absolutely would not go in. Comparing the holes of the old part (which the bolts just slid through) to the new one, it was obvious the holes in the new part were smaller. We considered drilling them out but don't know that we may do more damage and we don't want to pay $150.00 plus for another new part. I have a call in to a friend that works on rv's for ideas but haven't heard back from him and tomorrow (Monday) I will call Lippert guy again and ask him what we should do. Since we are in Elkhart right now, maybe they will make the part good. In the meantime, do you have any suggestions. Fyi...this is how everything husband and I try to do goes...we always have some unusual issue.
Oh no, so sorry to hear about the issues with the new part. Sounds like it is not the right part or they surely would have the correct diameter for the bolts. I would wait and see what Lippert says. Let me know what they say.
I called Lippert this morning. Spoke with same person I spoke to Friday. He told me they were aware that there had been quite a few that were shipped over that way from manufacturer. He said just drill it out a bit. When questioned if there was anything we had to be careful not to damage. He said no big deal, drill it out, it's just plastic. I'll let you know how that goes in case someone else encounters the problem.
Interesting. As long as there is plenty of thickness to the area and won’t weaken it, I would say you should be fine. That makes you wonder if you returned it and bought another if it would be the right size holes. Doesn’t seem right that you would have to do that after paying so much for the part. Thanks for the update and good luck!👍🏻
I was concerned about the same thing and thickness of walls being drilled and asked about damage we might cause. That's when he replied it would be fine and it was plastic (which...I don't think so since they certainly looked like metal slivers to me.) Anyway we got it drilled using a bit that was the size of the holes in the old part...and moved on. It was easy with one minor glitch...one of the bolt's threads were boogered up on the very last thread and wouldn't thread into the hole. Hubby said have to go get a new one (which my guess with our luck would have been one of those "special" bolts that would have been as hard to find as Jimmy Hoffa's body). I said "Give me a file." I did a little filing on the last thread and cleaned it up and voila...in she went. Finished up...plugged it in and it works fine. Thank you again for the easy to follow video.
Awesome! Great job using the file! I’ve had to do that a time or two years ago as well as using a tap. Nerve wrecking when you’re not sure if you can even get a replacement bolt or if you are needing it “right now.”
We are SO happy that video helped someone! 👍🏻😊🤓
Yep. Got the part for 40$ followed the video and voila! Steps are fixed now. Figured I saved between $300 and $800 so I've been told by rv mechanics. Those rv repair shops charge a minimum of $60 an hr! Not an easy go of it though. Just stick with it! Thanks!😂😂
Love your videos! You did a great job but you forgot one thing. Your safety glasses! We are really enjoying all of your adventures. We just got a 2020 Tiffin Allegro Open Road and hoping to retire soon (or as soon as the COVID is done!)
Thank you! You are right, I’ve always been really bad about putting safety glasses on but it is a wise to do. That’s always so exciting to hear someone getting ready to hit the road. It brings back memories of when we started. We were very nervous and excited at the time, but even more exciting thinking back now. Congrats and cherish the days ahead! 🧡😊🤓
Good video!
I liked it a lot helped mt figure out what I need to do
Nice video my step works great thank you
Great video. When working in that position you may want to wear safety glasses. Nothing like dirt or some sort of debris falling in your eyes.
Thank you! I agree completely, but you know how stubborn us men can be sometimes. 😜😊🤓
Hi gentleman ! Thank you for this video. I would add something, if you have problems to screw bolt, in frame; if bolt are loosen in frame, i put insert threaded in each hole. It’s magnifique. My sucks is that the mobile plate is to screwed hardly. I can’t unscrew it. Do you have some tips for that?
Thanks
FYI Step location doesn't matter. The controller just will decide when to stop either direction.
Thanks Steve, heard that before also but for some reason it wouldn’t unless I did it that way, which is why I mentioned it. Not sure if some controllers are different or what the deal was. Probably user error somehow. 🤷♂️
The motors have a contact breaker built in. The controller has an ampere limit cut out. So the motor can be installed with stairs in any position.
@@johnyaceyko9775 So you’re saying they designed it knowing it would break down at some point and it would be easier to repair? 👌🏽
Hi Brian, great video. My entry steps have a problem. When the switch or door is activated they either go part way in or part way out and stop and the motor has a loud humming noise. Could this be a bad motor, thx again.
I would look and make sure something is not jammed preventing them from going all the way in first... like a stick or rock, then I'd get some spray lube and lube all the hinges and moving parts that you can.
Thanks! My steps work smoothly but will only work in warm weather. I initially ordered a new controller which turned out not to be the issue, so sending it back. Ordered a new motor on Amazon today. They are even cheaper now! ($49.00) Hoping this solves my issue. Not sure what else could be causing the issue except the motor, considering its' finicky desire to not be cold. 🥶😁
Hope that takes care of it for you.
Is the gear on the motor free spinning? It spins when the door opens and closes but will not keep the steps in place.
That video was so long ago that I don’t recall for sure, but it does seem like I had to in order for it to line up properly. 🤷♂️
I know you did this a while back but wanted to ask you if you had to drill out the holes on the new motor? Also am I correct that one spacer has to go on top of the plate and the second spacer on top of the second plate? I bought one motor which cost $174.00 and would have to drill out the holes to 1/4 so not wanted to do that, I ordered a cheaper motor at $58.00 to see if that would would fit without drilling out the holes.
I did not have to drill anything out, just remove and replace. As far as the spacers, I am drawing a blank on that. It’s been too long ago for my brain to remember. Lol Hope the cheaper motor works for ya. 👍🏻
@@LivinRVision I received the second motor which had the correct hole size. This motor and the original motor look the same. I looked back at your video and saw where the spacers go. Install hopefully today. I am returning the $174.00 motor to Amazon.
The step on my motor home is stuck in the "in" position and won't come out. Checked fuse, wiring, etc. Narrowed the problem down to either the step motor or the controller for the step. We were unable to test the step motor due to the type of lead coming off the motor itself. I guess you knew your step motor was faulty due to the noises it was making. I was wondering if I remove the step motor if I can pull the steps out manually? I appreciated you telling us about buying the replacement part on Amazon!
I knew our step motor was bad, because I removed it and held a pair of pliars on the gear ever so lightly while the motor was running and it took very little pressure to make the gear skip internally in the motor. When the motor was still attached to the coach, and we would try to engage the step to go in and out, it was obvious that it was skipping and not catching on the gear. That’s why I took the motor off and tested it by seeing how much pressure it took to stop the gear from turning. In our case, it was very obvious. Does yours make a noise as if it is “trying” to run? If it does, then I would remove the motor and plug it back in while holding the motor and see if the motor will run. If the gear turns, then both it and the controller are good and your gear to the steps itself are stuck. Process of elimination, but it’s hard to diagnose without being there as things can get misconstrued through verbal communication. Good luck with yours Mike and let us all know what you find out. 😊🤓
@@LivinRVision Thanks for your ideas, Brian! I'll keep working on it and let you know what we come up with.
Need help: one of my motor bolts fell out so I bolted it back on now the steps extend and retract but when its extends fully the gears makes a grinding noise for about 3 seconds then the motor stop
Did the gear slip when the bolt fell out and possibly was not in the correct position when you bolted it back? It’s hard to say without looking at it but it sounds like it’s not in the correct position, like off just enough for that 3 second difference, and wants to keep going which makes it grind (or slip).
Great video! Was your old motor the Kwikee 5973820?
No, but when you take yours off it should have a number on it that will help you find the model for your own. Sometimes it’s been replaced with a newer version. That’s what happened with ours.
I have 3 bolts and 5 spacer's were do the other 2 spacers go?
Hi Bonnie - Hopefully this was meant as a joke and you aren’t really having an issue remembering where they go? If not…this video was so long ago and back when we had this Class A and unfortunately my memory isn’t good enough to remember something like this, so long ago…Sorry. :(
If it was something a person did on a daily basis, it would be easier to remember. But even at that, it may be different on a different Class A/step motor. Hopefully you can recall that where they were when you took them off.
How long did the process take?
I’m guessing about 30 min
@@LivinRVision C******RV quoted $223.50 labor and $150-$200 for the part...😡 Thanks for sharing! Saved some bucks!
Thanks it made it a easy task 🏆🏴☠️🏴☠️
Glad it helped👍🏻
Plastic gears? Squeezing every dime out of rvers.
I believe they were metal, but this was about 4 years ago.