Broken Slide Gear Box

[jsb5717]

Yet another new adventure, for me, in the life of RVing. Got to our camp site for the Memorial Day weekend. Started to put out the kitchen slide...it went out about 4" then, CLUNK. Clearly something broke and the slide wouldn't move anymore. As DW operated the switch I investigated so I could locate the problem. Yep, the gear box on our cable slide was the culprit.

I had watched a few videos on this subject and decided to loosen and remove the chains from the sprockets so that I could push the slide out so we could use it while I began the search for a replacement part. Of course, once the cables are loose there is nothing to hold the slide in place. However, I was able to get the slide pushed out and was able to block it up underneath so it was stable and we could use our kitchen.

The search for the part was more challenging. I called a couple mobile techs and 3 different RV dealerships withing driving distance and nobody claimed to have the gearbox. The mobile techs I got a hold of also said that they wouldn't work on cable slides. However, one of the techs texted me back to tell me that he found out that his distributor did have the entire motor and gear box assembly. I was able to arrange with him to have him deliver it the next day...whew! I definitely paid a premium for the part and his service but at least I could repair the slide.

Fortunately we are camping with several family members so I had plenty of help to get the slide back in position so I could do the work. I managed to get it all replaced and cables all tightened and it seems to work as it should.

The cable tension is the thing that is difficult to gauge. I felt the tension before I took it apart so it feels about the same. I also compared it to the other slides. I still may see if I can get it to a qualified repair tech to check the work and make sure things are properly adjusted but, as I said, it seems to work just fine.

Anyway, that was a new experience for me and now that I've done it once it doesn't seem as daunting as it did at first.

[rohrmann]

An experience like that almost would make you want to carry a spare. We've had issues with our hydraulic slides and the gear packs, and now we have a broken gear rack on one of the slide tubes, which I'm waiting on delivery of a new one. I've carried spare gear packs for a few years now, also.

[Mikendebbie]

Rohrman - please take pics and post when you are done.

[rohrmann]

Will do. I will probably start a new thread.

[jsb5717]

Originally Posted by rohrmann

An experience like that almost would make you want to carry a spare.

Agreed. I now have and extra motor and have ordered another gear box. I will have a complete replacement setup.