electric entrance step

[encantotom]

hi all,

a question for you guys. i have a single step. it has been slightly loose for a while so when the sun was going down and it dipped to the low 100's i went out and did some looking at the mount. ends up the front left side is pulled away from the bottom of the coach. i tightened up the nut on the bottom of the step mount and it pulled up a little but not alot. it is clearly where my problem is. it is a nut on the bottom and not a bolt head. yet i cannot see or feel any bolt head in my stairway. have any of you taken the steps off and seen how they are mounted? i think my next step is to just take the whole thing off and see what the deal is. don't want to screw it up and just wondering if any of you have any wisdom.

later

tom

[rheavn]

Tom,
My steps were broken after I purchased my coach. On my coach there were four 3/8" studs. I was able to remove & replace easily. All four studs pulled up tight. I too was not able to see how the studs were connected. I'd guess these studs are welded to the coach framing which is now covered.

To pull yours up tight try cleaning the threads with a die or try a fender washer if the threads are damaged.

Hope this helps...........................

[encantotom]

thanks steve. that helps a bunch. what i am afraid of is doing the same thing and if the one stud has pulled through in some way. i will likely just take the step out and see what is going on, clean it up and put it back in and call it good.

tom

[Wally Arntzen]

Tom, If the bolt is broken loose or rusted out you probably ought to just drill into the frame and tap it out to 1/2" thread and put in a piece of threaded rod with nuts on the bottom at the step. If you do use the threaded rod idea I would put some locktight on the threaded rod when putting it into the frame.
Note: Us Big Guy's are not the kindest things to these steps.

Thats my 2 cents worth and I'm sticking with it.

Wally

[Richard and Rhonda]

The very first Newell project was similar. My steps moved on one side when weight was applied. An underneath examination revealed a similar problem. I drilled a few additional holes and used number 12 self tapping metal screws.

[encantotom]

well, i took the step off tonite. it has broken and bent metal. so i am going to pound it back to shape and weld it back together and put some backing plates in to strengthen it. wayyy better than spending 700 dollars on a new one you know me. the pictures below have the motor and control unit already taken off of the step.

tom

[prairieschooner]

It is most likely all of that off-roading you are doing that started this problem lol!

[encantotom]

howdy,

i took the steps to a very high quality machine shop and they fixed the cracks, put in re-enforcing plates and ground it all smooth. very outstanding job. i was going to try doing it myself by borrowing a welder etc, but this place did it for 80 bucks and in one day.

jimmy came over and we sanded it down and primered and painted it. looks like new. i am letting the paint "bake" hard in the garage for a few days before i put it back together.

tom

[chockwald]

Nice camouflage job Tom.....looks good! Anybody can just go buy a new part and install it. You have taken a broken piece, repaired it, and made it better than the original.

[GORDON HUMMEL]

Tom
Your step looks the same as mine. Check the bolts that hold the motor to the frame. Mine came loose & broke one of the arms that move the step rod.

[encantotom]

thanks gordon. i removed all the "guts" of the step to fix it. it appears all the mountings are solid. i can see how it could happen though.

i am having to fab some aluminum plates to help brace the plastic cover mountings though.

tom

[jwe648]

howdy,

i took the steps to a very high quality machine shop and they fixed the cracks, put in re-enforcing plates and ground it all smooth. very outstanding job. i was going to try doing it myself by borrowing a welder etc, but this place did it for 80 bucks and in one day.

jimmy came over and we sanded it down and primered and painted it. looks like new. i am letting the paint "bake" hard in the garage for a few days before i put it back together.

tom

Tom,
Today was a good day for baking.. 116` on my side of town.. Glad to help!

[Wally Arntzen]

Looks to be a nice job Tom. Hopefully all will be well.

Wally

[prairieschooner]

Sounds like Jimmy is very helpful and a great resource, I would like to have a Jimmy close by! Clarke are trying to say that the Kwikee doesn't build quality.

[encantotom]

here is the finished product. it is nice to have a step again.....

tom