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Post by burkie on Mar 11, 2018 18:12:26 GMT -5
I am new to this forum so please bare with me. The last trip we took the living room slide would not come in without pushing on the side closest to the truck. The slide out mechanism works but found that the equalizer shaft(my name) that goes from one side of the slide to the other that has cog gears and connected by square tubing is broken. I think it is an equalizer shaft to keep the slide out straight. I have been all over the internet looking for the parts. Can anyone tell me the manufacture of the slide out mechanism. Thought it was Lippert but can not find anything that remotely looks like my part. PLEASE HELP!
I can provide pictures if someone would like to take a look. I have the parts in question out of the RV.
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Post by lynnmor on Mar 11, 2018 19:07:41 GMT -5
I think it is Lippert, you could call them in the morning with your frame number. If you are lucky, you might find that number on the inside of the tongue or somewhere close by.
Perhaps you can have it welded, or replace the steel with some from a supplier like Speedy Metals. Personally, I would just make a new one, but then I have the facilities to do it. A photo would help in determining what can be done.
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Post by burkie on Mar 11, 2018 21:33:52 GMT -5
Thanks for the info. I will send some pictures tomorrow. I too have a shop and was thinking I will rebuild. The bearings are good. It broke where the sheer bolt holds the square shaft to the cog wheel. Hoping to make it a little stronger. Would appreciate any suggestions after you see the photos. Decided to take a picture tonight. The part standing broke right at the shaft where it goes into the square tubing and is held with the bolt. For sure the weakest part of the shaft.  |
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Post by lynnmor on Mar 12, 2018 8:36:59 GMT -5
That hole appears to be drilled larger than necessary, can't tell for sure. If that shaft is easy for you to make, get some heat-treated 4140 steel and make a good one.
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Post by burkie on Mar 12, 2018 10:02:03 GMT -5
You are correct! 5/16 hole in a 5/8 inch shaft does not leave much for strength. Planning to rebuild the shaft. Any ideas where I could find just the front gear assembly? If the price is right I will just buy another. The only thing I can find on the internet are the gear assembly not cog type.
You have been a great help. Thank you!!
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Post by lynnmor on Mar 12, 2018 11:57:32 GMT -5
Without knowing exactly what you have, it is hard to help. Maybe a photo would help again. What has failed in addition to the shaft? If you need to replace a rack or gear, there are plenty of suppliers, McMaster-Carr can get parts to you in just a day or two. |
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Post by burkie on Mar 12, 2018 17:53:55 GMT -5
Finally figured out the slide mechanism was made by Dexter. That really stinks. There are no new parts in the WORLD for my slide. Lipert bought them out and no parts remain. Said they would retrofit a Lipert slide. That sounds very expensive and timely. So I am back to the fix it myself theory. Good thing I am mechanically inclined......I think.
Got the bearings and gear off the shaft. Going to piece it back together tomorrow. Will let you know if I am successful. Should not be too bad just time consuming.
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Post by lynnmor on Mar 12, 2018 18:19:01 GMT -5
I am in PA, where are you located?
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Post by rvdude on Mar 12, 2018 20:34:50 GMT -5
Try Bontrager's Surplus in Michigan. They have lots of new and used outdated and surplus parts. I don't know if they have what you are looking for or not, but it might be worth giving them a call.
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Post by burkie on Mar 13, 2018 18:41:14 GMT -5
I am finally back. This retirement stuff is about to kill me. Been working on disassembling restoring the shaft and installing all but the shaft that holds the two gear mechanisms together. Need a small section of square stock to weld the pipe together. We live in Estes Park Co. at 8000 ft. so no square stock in town or oxygen. Ordered off Ebay and should be arriving in a few days. Will update when I get it back together.
In case anyone is interested I am not for hire. Didn't even want to do it for myself.
Hey professional. As you can see from the above info I am from Estes Park Co. We were in Egypt Pa. two years ago with the RV looking for ancestor records. Our ancestors settled in that area in 1733.
Thanks for the post regading Bontragers. I will certainly check them out.
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Post by Chuck on Mar 14, 2018 12:42:26 GMT -5
burkie We have a couple of members on the form from Colorado, been to Estes Park Co. a few years back to a Hamvention, wasn't use to the high elevation an was short of breath since we live at the 500ft level here in Washington State  Safe travels an think about the Kz rally in August in Indiana ... Chuck |
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Post by burkie on Mar 21, 2018 16:57:59 GMT -5
Been out of town. Worked on the slide out and finished welding the broken shaft together. Also had to cut the square tubing since the distance between the cog wheels changed. Installed 7/8 inch square stock inside the 1 inch tubing and welded in place.
Much to my surprise the darn thing worked when I tried it. It was quite a bit of work but cost very little to repair. Lipert's recommendation was to retrofit a Lipert system to replace the Dexter. Did not check on price but suspect that would be pretty expensive and time consuming. I think a shade tree mechanic could do it with a little time and maybe some luck.
If you are not equipped with a shop I think a good welding shop could make this repair for much less than a new slide out mechanism would cost.
Thanks to those who gave me some tips along the way.
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Post by burkie on Mar 21, 2018 17:02:04 GMT -5
Profeshional RVer,
Thanks for the invite. We will be in Indiana late July for a family reunion. Do you know the dates off the top of your head?
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Post by rvdude on Mar 21, 2018 22:34:53 GMT -5
The dates are August 5 - 12 in Shipshewana. Look down in the rally with KZ folder and you will find all of the details. There are a few spots left. Hope to see you there.
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Post by Chuck on Mar 22, 2018 10:46:58 GMT -5
Thank you for the Dates rvdude Chuck |
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