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Slide out problem

Yahoo Message Number: 65762
Hello All,

Just had my slide out stop after going out a couple feet and would go no further but thankfully did come back in. The slide was making a clacking sound and my Son said he saw one side lagging behind the other when it was going out. We tried sliding out a couple more times but it would only move a few inches and stop with the clacking sound continuing while the slide button was engaged. Going to take it in when we return from our Turkey Day trip. Does anyone have any ideas what I'm in for on this repair...?

Thanks,

Charlie

'06 Inspire #51947

Re: Slide out problem

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 65763

Charlie:

Sounds like a $20 "shear" bolt. I carry two spares with me. Some are easy to get at others not so much.
Look in your compartments under the slide and check out the transmission and shafts, they run across the ceiling of the compartments and also under wheel wells, engine compartment - depends on the slide. At several points, particularly the electric motors, you will see bolts connecting the drives to the drive shafts. One of these bolts is probably sheared - the clue is one side moves before the other, I have been able to manually push a slide when this happens but the big ones are very heavy so be careful. Move a little, push to re-align, move a little, push, etc.
It is critical to understand that these shear bolts are NOT standard bolts. They are specifically designed to protect the mechanism from damage by failing before something expensive does. Do not replace with a hardware store bolt. Any well stocked RV business should have these bolts as all Power Gear slides use them.

Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178

Re: Slide out problem

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 65769
Charlie,

I am having the same problem with the D/S Front slide. If the front does not come out one of the shear bolts is in the front wheel area. This will require the removal of a cover where the shear pin is located. The rear shear pin is located in the propane compartment and is also difficult to reach. Very tight quarters. My problem is the slide is so out of alignment I am having it worked on at Fountain RV in Lakeland, FL. where Butch Williams is located. He will have to realign the slide and claims that will stop the breakage.
I have for the last three stop manually moved the slide in and out. I have replaced the shear pin in the front, however, when I try to move the slide using the motor it will break the pin either on the way out or on the way in. I have replaced the shear pin again and move the slide and out in manually. There is a brake release in the large bay area, All you need to do to release the brake is simple. The lever is on the motor and will pull back toward the bay door. Be sure you lock the brake when done.
I bought a 18" pipe wrench and use this to move the side in and out. There is a square tube running just below the floor which attaches to the motor on the left side.I use the pipe wrench on the square tube to by pushing down or up depending on which way I need to move the slide. Takes about five minutes and really don't need any help. I make sure I do not extend the slide past where it would drops down. It would probably go out a few more inches, however, it very hard to move the slide up the dropped area.
Hope this helps. I am willing to help by phone if you need more info.

Jock Vargo

2005 Inspire 330
925-858-2217

Currently in Navarre, FL

51428

Re: Slide out problem

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 65775
Charlie,

The newer models have shear pins the older models have shear bolts. If a previous owner replaced a shear bolt with a regular bolt by mistake the shaft can break which means you have to buy a new shaft and gear from Power Gear. They only the make the shear pin type now and it fits on the old system. I know because it happened to us and we now have a combination of shear pins and shear bolts on one slide.
The cause of the problem can be misalignment of the slide, too much weight on a slide, a roller blocked by debris or poor design. I'm not sure, but suspect poor design, because we still sometimes shear pins and bolts while trying to minimize the first three causes.

Dennis Clayton, 2006 Inspire, #51581.
Currently enjoying Tucson while waiting for Norcold recall parts.