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Topic: Kwikee electric step motors and gearboxes replacement parts (Read 557 times) previous topic - next topic
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Kwikee electric step motors and gearboxes replacement parts
This posting is for LD owners with a Kwikee electric coach step who need replacement parts.

Our electric step failed to operate over the holidays in Death Valley.
Returning home and troubleshooting it, I found the motor, once again, frozen up with rust.
It was cleaned and lubed, after it had less power than before and was barely able to pull the step in and out. The motor was worn out.
Etrailer appears to be a major supplier of Kwikee parts, I ordered a replacement motor but it didn't fit. Their fitment chart is inaccurate.

Watching the step operate with the repaired old motor, it was obvious that the gearbox and linkage were very loose, also needing replacement.
Calling Etrailer and providing the model and serial number, I was given the 'right' part numbers for a new gearbox and matching motor.
When the package arrive, it was the right gearbox but the wrong motor...again.  I had not returned the original replacement motor yet and it turned out to be the correct motor for the new gear box. The motor that Etrailer that would fit the new gearbox actually fitted the old gearbox.

Kwikee has two versions of electric step motors and gearboxes, those built up to 2005 pre-IMGL (Integrated Motor Gear Box Linkage) and those built later (IMGL).
Our 2003 LD had the older version and was converted to the new gearbox and motor..

This is how to order the correct parts.
Pre-2006 electric steps. Series 28 (single step) uses motor part number LC379608  Lippert Kwikee Motor Pre-IMGL (Integrated Motor Gear Box Linkage).
It is a direct replacement. Make sure the original gearbox and linkage are not already badly worn before ordering a motor..
https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Kwikee/LC379608.html

If the gearbox and linkage are worn and need replacement, you must upgrade to the newer, post-2005, gearbox, the previous gearbox is no longer available. The newer motor also need to be used. Just the linkage is also available but for a few dollars more, I would buy a new gearbox which includes the linkage.
LDs use a gearbox with the single-step, Type "B" linkage,   LC379161 Kwikee Step Gear/linkage 
https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Kwikee/LC379161.html

The new, post-2005 gearbox's motor PN is  LC379147   Kwikee Step Motor Replacement Kit IMGL   .
https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories_and_Parts/Kwikee/LC379147.html

The new motor and IMGL gearbox are better built and sealed than the old motor and gearbox and should last many years longer than the original. The old controller works fine with new motor and gearbox.
While the step was removed, with some oxy acetylene torch work, the side arms were heated and straightened,  the step now moves freely in and out. This repair can be done to most steps, electric or manual, the have been hit and bent.

Larry

Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Kwikee electric step motors and gearboxes replacement parts
Reply #1 –
Thanks, Larry. You, and others, have convinced me a manual step is the way to go!
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Kwikee electric step motors and gearboxes replacement parts
Reply #2 –
Quote from: HiLola  - 
Thanks, Larry. You, and others, have convinced me a manual step is the way to go!

My wife convinced me to get the electric step, I dared not disobey. YMMV

The new electric steps are much improved over the older, pre-2006 steps. The new gearbox and motor are both well sealed, where the previous gearbox and motor were not. It should be more dependable .

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Kwikee electric step motors and gearboxes replacement parts
Reply #3 –
This subject is recent for me so I'll jump in.    Steps have failed while extended so attempted to remove the cotter and clevis pin between the gearbox linkage and step.    Figured I'd at least be able to close the steps manually.    First clue should have been the pressure against the pin.  Tapped it out with a hammer and punch.    After removing pin, I saw there was too much pressure on the linkage to disconnect it from the step -- now I can only get the pin 1/2 way back in.

Attempted to remove the gear box (and linkage) and 2 rusted screws holding it in place snapped off.    

There is a black metal plate holding the gearbox/motor assembly to the undercarriage with 4 bolts.    They have rusted and while trying to get them off, 2 have already broke  off.

Guess a oxy acetylene torch will be needed if I can't drill the bolts lose.

While I don't regret electric steps, I won't option for another one in my next MH.    Manual steps will work fine.
2017 Newmar Canyon Star
2002 Lazy Daze MB
2005 Honda CRV Toad
Re: Kwikee electric step motors and gearboxes replacement parts
Reply #4 –
Quote from: Leland1  - 
This subject

Guess a oxy acetylene torch will be needed if I can't drill the bolts lose.
While I don't regret electric steps, I won't option for another one in my next MH.    Manual steps will work fine.

A cutting torch makes a huge mess. Do it the easy way and  pull the rubber step cover off the the interior top step, exposing the top of the four bolts that secure the entire step assembly, 
Use a 9/16" socket and ratchet to hold and retain the bolts, from the top, while you unbolt the nuts that secure the entire step assembly from below. The step's power plug will ned  to be disconnected first..
The electric step is a lot easier to deal with when it's on the ground.

When we ordered our LD, the choice between the electric step and the manual step depended on if I wanted to remain married.
Tough choice. I had to think about that.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Kwikee electric step motors and gearboxes replacement parts
Reply #5 –
"...depended on if I wanted to remain married."

Wow! That is a Quid-Pro-Quo if I ever saw one.   :o   ;D   ;)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Kwikee electric step motors and gearboxes replacement parts
Reply #6 –
Quote from: Lazy Bones  - 
"...depended on if I wanted to remain married."

Wow! That is a Quid-Pro-Quo if I ever saw one.  :o  ;D  ;)
More like an 'Or Else'  :-X
Definitely the place for a "yes dear" ;)
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: Kwikee electric step motors and gearboxes replacement parts
Reply #7 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
Do it the easy way and  pull the rubber step cover off the the interior top step, exposing the top of the four bolts that secure the entire step assembly,
Larry

Man, what an AHA moment.      Now, hoping the bolts aren't too rusted!    Thanks again!
2017 Newmar Canyon Star
2002 Lazy Daze MB
2005 Honda CRV Toad
Re: Kwikee electric step motors and gearboxes replacement parts
Reply #8 –
Quote from: Leland1  - 
Man, what an AHA moment.      Now, hoping the bolts aren't too rusted!   

Spray the nuts under the step with penetrating oil. Use sockets and ratchets on both the top and bottom sided to remove badly rusted nuts and bolts.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Kwikee electric step motors and gearboxes replacement parts
Reply #9 –
Revisiting the electric step.  Your patience is requested.

Lynn rousts me from a pensioner's nap to report the electric step isn't working. Drat. 

I'm thinking this is going to be another one of those repairs where I entertain the neighbors with swear words both real and made-up.

I check all three fuses.  They are good.  (Dang) So I crawl under the beast and look to see that all I need do is disconnect the LD power and control line as well as the IMGL controller line to the electric step.  Then, three quick zips with my electric screw driver and the mounting bolts are released and the motor falls away from the gear box.  I retain the gear, gear shaft and spacers - giving them a good cleaning.  A quick visit to Amazon nets me a new motor for $82.  Two days later, I crawl back under the beast having lubed the gear with lithium grease, replaced the three mounting bolts.  I reconnect the LD power and control line first and then the IMGL motor controller line, being certain the door is closed to prevent any surprises with step movement when I finish the last connection.

Works like new.  I took the opportunity to give everything a good cleaning and I lubricated all the articulating parts.  Even sounds like new.  I never even thought about swearing while I was under the beast.

This is my first electric step repair.  It is a 2007 IB-30 that we have owned since 2013.  I take the time to write this to tell those of you who have electric steps that haven't failed yet that the repair is the easiest maintenance/repair I've done on the LD and to encourage anyone thinking about buying a LD to not miss the convenience and utility of an electric step. 

Dan
2007 IB-30
Re: Kwikee electric step motors and gearboxes replacement parts
Reply #10 –
I agree with Dan. I had the gearbox on the electric step on our previous rear bath break when the step hit an obstruction years ago. I ordered a replacement, easily installed it and no further problems.
 I always wondered if one has the manual step do you jump out the door (which could be a long step) to open the steps or have to exit the cab and walk around to the side door (possibly in bad weather) to open the steps.  Our new coach has the electric step.
Mike
2010 RB "Monty"  & currently: 2021 RB "Villa Verde"
2004 Born Free 26'
1998 Beaver Patriot 33'
1992 Barth Breakaway 28'
1982 Fleetwood Jamboree 23'
1982 Dolphin/Toyota 22'
Re: Kwikee electric step motors and gearboxes replacement parts
Reply #11 –
Quote from: Mike Coachman  - 
I always wondered if one has the manual step do you jump out the door (which could be a long step) to open the steps or have to exit the cab and walk around to the side door (possibly in bad weather) to open the steps.  Our new coach has the electric step.
Mike
With age, you learn to respect gravity, and place YOUR center of gravity as low as possible before exiting - i.e. a deep knee bend, stepping or hopping out from that position. However, it is much easier to step out of the cab instead of maneuvering from the cab seats to the entrance door, and once the step is out, it stays out until the rig is moved.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Kwikee electric step motors and gearboxes replacement parts
Reply #12 –
Thanks for raising this topic, Larry. I'm dealing with a Kwikee step issue, too. Our Lazy Daze is a 2016 so it has a newer Kwikee step I believe (photos). It failed because the plastic gear inside (photo) was stripped by the metal worm gear that turns it.

I found a replacement gear on eBay.com and installed it. To get the correct part I had to message the eBay seller and provide photos of my gear. He then gave me the link to order the correct gear. Here's the link to the seller if you need it: bxparts on eBay

I installed the new gear and the step worked as new. But, within a week the replacement gear stripped again rendering the step useless. The eBay seller was kind enough to send me another gear free of charge.

It's pretty easy to make the step work manually. You have to disconnect the wire that powers the step - it just pulls off. Then you must remove the pin that connects the pusher/puller arm from the step. Once that's done the step can be pulled out and pushed in by hand easily. To keep it closed there just happens to be two holes on the left side that line up perfectly when you push the step fully in by hand. Then, by pushing in a 1/4 inch bolt into the lined up holes, the bolt will keep the step in the closed position. To keep it in the open position just takes jamming something into the lower slide cutouts (the two silver pieces on either side in the photo are what I'm using).

Still, I'd like to fix the step and might investigate to see if the worm gear has some corrosion that's causing it to strip the plastic gears. I didn't see anything obvious the first time I took it apart. But maybe I didn't look closely enough. I guess I could buy a complete new motor, but ours still works fine so it would save money to fix it if possible. It occurred to me to see if I could have an aluminum gear made to fix the stripping issue, but I'm thinking the gear is plastic because you want it to fail if the step runs into something or someone?

Thanks for the tip about eTrailer, Larry. I didn't realize they sold the parts.

Jim & Deb Langley
Santa Cruz, CA
2016 Twin King


 
Re: Kwikee electric step motors and gearboxes replacement parts
Reply #13 –
In addition to the entry door step (manual) on my 2003, I use a large Safety Step. The SS is placed in front of the rig step in line with, or just under, the front edge of that step. The Safety Step is very stable; it will not shift or collapse even if one steps on a corner.

I can still step out of the rig and back in through my rig's entry door without using any step, and I do that if I'm overnighting in a place where deploying the rig step is not advised or leaving the Safety Step as fair game for theft.

The Safety Step is not inexpensive, but it's well-made, very sturdy, convenient, and provides an additional level of "step" security. Old people tend to break easily.  ;)

https://www.etrailer.com/s.aspx?qry=Safety+Step&furl=-pg-Garage_Accessories
2003 TK has a new home
 
Re: Kwikee electric step motors and gearboxes replacement parts
Reply #14 –
The step does not have limit switches to stop the motor when the step is fully
open or closed, instead, the controller senses the increased amperage, when the motor is stopped, and shuts the power off. This should protect the gearbox when the step hits a curb or other obstruction.
The older gear boxes had metal gears, didn’t know the new box has plastic gears.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Kwikee electric step motors and gearboxes replacement parts
Reply #15 –
Larry, I think the plastic gear Jim is having trouble with is in the motor, not the gearbox.  I had the same trouble Jim had with a 2007 step, I ended up replacing the motor assembly.  The gearbox in my step  seems fine.  Interestingly, those step motors are electric car window motors repurposed for operating the steps.
Bill
1999 Provan Tiger
2007 23.5 TK
Re: Kwikee electric step motors and gearboxes replacement parts
Reply #16 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
...The older gear boxes had metal gears, didn’t know the new box has plastic gears.

Larry

Bill is right.  The GEAR BOXES still have metal gears.  Jim's picture is of the worm coupler gear inside the electric motor.

I retrieved my motor from the trash, opened it up and took pictures.  It is a waste of time to try to rebuild these motors.  This is the exact LD replacement from Amazon:
Amazon.com: Kwikee 676061 Motor Replacement Kit,Black : Automotive



As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
2007 IB-30
Re: Kwikee electric step motors and gearboxes replacement parts
Reply #17 –

New tread onto an old step thread.....

Earlier this month, the step stopped working for a while, then restarted with a wrinkle at Morro Bay.
Step would fail to complete retraction and bang repeatedly.  Pushing it in put it out of its (and everyone in earshot's) misery.
One suggestion was lubrication, so ordered Lippert Components 379177 Grease
which worked remarkably well for lubrication, but not so well at problem resolution.
I found and downloaded a "Kwikee Electric Step Owners Manual #888" as a PDF if anyone would like a copy.
According to page 8 the part pointed to in the picture is a linkage.  I watched it move as the steps retracted and it moved in the X & Y planes.  It also moved along the Z axis which I am not sure it is supposed to.  The steps fail to completely lift but tries valiantly to do so, banging as it fails to complete.

Any suggestions as to next 'steps'?
It may be one of these

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE