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Chuck · 06-17-2004, 09:50 AM

the mechanism that hold my entry steps in the retracted position isn't quite right. when in the "up" position, the step sags on the left. seems to be up all the way on the right. the catch seems to work; the lever releases the steps ok, and goes "click" when you push the steps up into place, but it doesn't hold the steps securely. sometimes, a bump in the road will jar the steps loose, and they'll deploy while under way.

a PO's idea of a fix was to attach a couple of draw-hasps...which help, but they don't work all that well, and of course, they're made from pot-metal and are all rusty and look like hell. I did pick up replacements that are SS, but would rather actually fix the problem than use this "work-around". problem is that I can't figure out how its supposed to work, even after staring at the exploded diagram in the service manual.

there's not much to actually "see" from the outside, and I'd hate to take the bannana wraps on either side of the steps to find out that there's no fix.

thoughts? comments?

Sneakinup · 06-17-2004, 10:56 AM

If yours is like mine, it is a simple mechanism with a spring. Mine used to get twisted on an angle, and I had to tap them with a hammer to straighten them out. Part of the problem was the left outrigger was half rusted away. I fixed that by welding some plate steel to the good portion of it, then replaced the rusted spring, and with a heavy dose of silicone spray, the steps and latch now work perfectly.

Chuck · 06-17-2004, 11:03 AM

what exactly was it that got twisted? is something supposed to catch something on both sides, or just on the right side where the lever is?

53flyingcloud · 06-17-2004, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck

what exactly was it that got twisted? is something supposed to catch something on both sides, or just on the right side where the lever is?

Chuck,
My steps are acting exactly the same as your's..
Actually, the right hand side seems to be out of track plus, what with the rust..
What to do...what to do...

ciao
53FC

Sneakinup · 06-17-2004, 11:11 AM

The lever on the right side controls a rod that goes just under your floor, and above the first step. It is attached to a flat bar that catches the pin from the side of the steps to lock it in position, or release it. Mine was twisting because of the weak outrigger. Yours may just need some heavy lubrication. That would be my first thing to try. I released the entire banana wrap around the perimeter of my trailer to get in there and fix things. It isn't difficult to do, just a pain the a**. The scary part is what you might find that you really didn't want to know about.

53flyingcloud · 06-17-2004, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sneakinup

The lever on the right side controls a rod that goes just under your floor, and above the first step. It is attached to a flat bar that catches the pin from the side of the steps to lock it in position, or release it. Mine was twisting because of the weak outrigger. Yours may just need some heavy lubrication. That would be my first thing to try. I released the entire banana wrap around the perimeter of my trailer to get in there and fix things. It isn't difficult to do, just a pain the a**. The scary part is what you might find that you really didn't want to know about.

I'll follow along as you two work this out..
I'm not sure I want know what's under there...lol
Good Luck on your fix...
53FC

Chuck · 06-17-2004, 12:20 PM

Ok, so there is only one pin, and its on the right side? I was thinking that the droop toward the left side would be because it wasn't being supported over on that end. but if a single support from one side can do it, and its bent so that its not holding things squarely, that makes sense, too. is any of this visible without dismantling the wraps? I seem to remember sticking my head in there once and not being able to make heads or tails of anything, because there wasn't anything to see.....oh, well.

yeah, I already learned about finding out stuff I don't really want to know.

this thing isnt' a big huge deal...just one of those little annoyances that you're bound to get w/ any 30 year old trailer, right? But we know what happens when you scratch the surface of one of these "annoyances" too vigorously.

markdoane · 06-17-2004, 01:26 PM

I don't know if your step is the same as mine, a picture would help. Mine has slots on each side that a rod rides in. The very back of the left side slot had broken. This caused the lower part of the frame to deflect down and the step to be droppy.
The entire assembly was welded to the outriggers on both sides.
For a fix, I had new side plates made, and welded brackets to the outriggers that the step assembly bolts to. Next time it breaks, I can just unbolt it and fix it.

BTW, Thor stock is up almost 10% today, based on Winnebago report of very good earnings. Everything else is down like a rock.

Inland RV Center, In · 06-17-2004, 02:07 PM

Sounds like the slots in the footstep "outriggers" are excessively worn.

They can be replaced, or the outriggers can be plated, "carefully."

Andy

Sneakinup · 06-17-2004, 03:02 PM

I did kind of what Andy said. I plated/welded the inside of the outrigger with 1/16" steel. I ground down the steel to follow the curve of the step guide before fixing in place. Only one side of mine needed repair.

Safari Tim · 06-17-2004, 11:16 PM

Sneakup... it would be nice to see a photo of your expert repair ;-) ....

hint hint...

53flyingcloud · 06-18-2004, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Sounds like the slots in the footstep "outriggers" are excessively worn.
They can be replaced, or the outriggers can be plated, "carefully."
Andy

Andy,
Do you know the name of the "original" manufacturer for these steps?
Thanks
53FC

Chuck · 06-18-2004, 08:06 AM

Pics....

the pics don't reflect the lower droop on the left side...its just that the hasps seem to raise it more on the left side than on the right.

the slots in the outriggers don't look excessively worn to me...or if they are, they seem to be worn evenly.

just a little light surface rust, too. not like they're rotting away, or anything.

53flyingcloud · 06-18-2004, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck

Pics....
the pics don't reflect the lower droop on the left side...its just that the hasps seem to raise it more on the left side than on the right.
the slots in the outriggers don't look excessively worn to me...or if they are, they seem to be worn evenly.

just a little light surface rust, too. not like they're rotting away, or anything.

I see what you mean about the hasps.. neat idea

You know you want to paint that`! lol
ciao
53FC

Chuck · 06-18-2004, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 53FlyingCloud

I see what you mean about the hasps.. neat idea

You know you want to paint that`! lol
ciao
53FC

nah. I bought stainles steel replacements.

these really don't hold very well. don't know if my replacements will be any better. they're not really intended to deal with the curve. I've tried to tweak these with a pair of pliers, but it hasn't worked out too well.

53flyingcloud · 06-18-2004, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck

nah. I bought stainles steel replacements.

these really don't hold very well. don't know if my replacements will be any better. they're not really intended to deal with the curve. I've tried to tweak these with a pair of pliers, but it hasn't worked out too well.

I understand..
Chuck, check your PM..
Vern

Safari Tim · 06-18-2004, 10:28 AM

Thanks Chuck for posting the pics!

The problem I have with mine is the right track itself is damaged. A PO put in some bolt that allows the step to go up and down ok, but the support in the down position leaves much to be desired.

I have never really looked into this yet to see how extensive a good repair would be, but welding is not my thing!

53flyingcloud · 06-18-2004, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Safari Tim

Thanks Chuck for posting the pics!
The problem I have with mine is the right track itself is damaged. A PO put in some bolt that allows the step to go up and down ok, but the support in the down position leaves much to be desired.
I have never really looked into this yet to see how extensive a good repair would be, but welding is not my thing!

Safari Tim,
Sounds like all of us, to some extent, have a problem with the right hand side..Makes me wonder..movement damage>??
Any way..
I got out there to look at mine again, after talking with Chuck on the fone..
Here's what I did..
Got my hammer and a heavy piece of iron for a backplate..
Became a "Blacksmith" for a hour..lol
After eye'ballin it and beating on the iron support arms, I finally got it all back on track again..Works`nicely!!
Then, I got a hold of some rust stripper to treat the "entire" step assemby area..The next thing to do is to paint it to prevent rust from coming back..
No pictures now but..I'll post em later.
So, for about 2.5 hours time, I got it back to as near new as one can..
Just to let you know, it can be done~
Good luck~!
ciao
53FC

Safari Tim · 06-18-2004, 11:58 PM

Sounds good Vern. With your work I'm sure it's better than new

Look forward to the pictures.

71tradewind · 06-19-2004, 07:08 AM

Tim ... I had the same exact thing wrong with my 71 .Mine was worn on the right hand side just as yours.The amount of metal that is needed to repair it was minamal but none the less welding was the only real option.The other thing I found was that the whole step had a bit of a twist in it,not the frame that supports it ,but the step itself .I fixed mine last spring and have been happy ever since.If you can't weld it yourself I would recommend a local welding shop.I used a welder similar to the ones sold at Wal-Mart.