Schwintek slides noisy when moving

[Todd & Mary]

Just wanted to see if this is normal. we have a 2021 3761FL and when we move our schwintek slides they make a loud terrible screaming sound, it doesn't matter which direction of travel. Sounds like the seals are dragging on the slide walls. It is a terrible racket. I have applied wax to one slide but it made no difference. Is this normal? It scares me to move them for fear they will fail! Any help you can render would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[Daryles]

I'm not sure if it's related but there was a TSB put out by Lippert regarding the Schwintek slide out.
Copy of it in the files section.

https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...?do=file&id=82

On YouTube LCI (Lippert) put out a video on how to lubricate the Schwintek motors

[ChuckS]

I would look at the upper and lower tracks mounted on the walls. Look for evidence of damaged spur gear to track and also look at the V roller and shoe..

If the shoe is missing it allows extra movement of the spur gear to track and will cause this problem..

THis link will shoe the v roller and shoe I am talking about.

https://lci-support-doc.s3.amazonaws...cd-0002715.pdf

[ChuckS]

Lippert also has a series of self paced course you can enroll in and they cover quite a few topics..

Two I have completed are the Lippert leveling system and the Schwintek slide out

The courses are free.. great videos, test after each module and a nice certificate when you complete the course

https://lippertrvowner.learnupon.com...t=%2Fdashboard

The Schwintek course WILL TEACH you everything you need to know and most likely you will know more than many RV service centers when you complete this course

[Foldbak]

Don't know where to start. No your slide shouldn't make screaming noises. This is typically a sign that something isn't right. Mine made an unusual noise when we purchased it. It failed within 2 trips. The 2 biggest problems that these rigs face is the dreaded Schwintek failure and frame flex. There are threads upon threads here talking about both.


https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ad.php?t=87469



I just returned from a weekend camping trip and was going to report my experience. Guess I'll do it here. As many of you know I went through the catastrophic Schwintek failure scenario and had to have the entire bedroom slide removed and rebuilt. Putting aside the fact that the room is too big for a Schwintek, I have confirmed another important point. Upon arrival the the site I checked the side to side grade and I was 2 degrees listing on the bedroom side. I decided to auto level just to see what would happen. Sure enough the first message was "relieving twist" Once the unit was level I started to extend the bedroom and immediately saw it begin to rack to one side. I stopped and retracted the slide. Connected the truck and rolled the bedroom (downhill side) on a double stack of leggos. Checked the grade again and I was at a .2% list. When I re-leveled it didn't read "relieving twist" and auto level worked perfectly.


So to recap, always check the grade prior to unhooking and leveling If you exceed 1% then roll up on some blocks to keep the frame from twisting and killing Schwintek


As far as you screaming slide, I'd have it looked at.

[Lee-CI]

Originally Posted by Foldbak

Don't know where to start. No your slide shouldn't make screaming noises. This is typically a sign that something isn't right. Mine made an unusual noise when we purchased it. It failed within 2 trips. The 2 biggest problems that these rigs face is the dreaded Schwintek failure and frame flex. There are threads upon threads here talking about both.


https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ad.php?t=87469



I just returned from a weekend camping trip and was going to report my experience. Guess I'll do it here. As many of you know I went through the catastrophic Schwintek failure scenario and had to have the entire bedroom slide removed and rebuilt. Putting aside the fact that the room is too big for a Schwintek, I have confirmed another important point. Upon arrival the the site I checked the side to side grade and I was 2 degrees listing on the bedroom side. I decided to auto level just to see what would happen. Sure enough the first message was "relieving twist" Once the unit was level I started to extend the bedroom and immediately saw it begin to rack to one side. I stopped and retracted the slide. Connected the truck and rolled the bedroom (downhill side) on a double stack of leggos. Checked the grade again and I was at a .2% list. When I re-leveled it didn't read "relieving twist" and auto level worked perfectly.


So to recap, always check the grade prior to unhooking and leveling If you exceed 1% then roll up on some blocks to keep the frame from twisting and killing Schwintek


As far as you screaming slide, I'd have it looked at.

***What Tony said*** - personally I believe leveling our fiver side to side with boards or blocks on the downhill side before doing anything else is upmost to circumvent issues - especially if one has a MHC with the lighter weight frames. Keeping frame twist to an absolute minimum keeps both slides and the leveling system a lot happier. Good luck with your Schwintec issue. I would most definitely have that looked at before anything catastrophic happens.

[Ram Montana High Country]

I use LEVELMATEPRO to help. I can watch from driver seat. Checks left to right and front to back. Sometimes minor movement in campsite makes all the difference.

[Lee-CI]

I've been eyeballing the LevelmatePro units for a while now. Between ordering a 3rd Gen Goosebox, solar / Lithium upgrades in progress and shopping for Sailum tires, the DW is about ready to cut up my credit card....

[RMcNeal]

You might try lubricating the slide motor spur gears and the gibs. This should be done at least annually. If it is the wiper seals, I use a rubber conditioner on those and it should help eliminate the noise and gripping as it keeps the rubber supple.
Here's what I use, but any rubber care product should work, just don't use anything petroleum based as it will break down the rubber faster.
https://www.amazon.com/3-ONE-Care-Ru...s%2C111&sr=8-2

[Foldbak]

I thought the same thing but after watching the LCI videos I discovered all they require is soap and water.
https://youtu.be/dSxC-0GSWwk

[phillyg]

Mine have always been loud, but I wouldn't say "screaming." That implies something in the racks is dragging or binding. Do as others have suggested, and look particularly for scrape marks on the tracks on the slideout sides. Look and inspect under the floor side at the horizontal rollers. I doubt it's the outside seals, but use a recommended spray on those.

[RMcNeal]

Originally Posted by Foldbak

I thought the same thing but after watching the LCI videos I discovered all they require is soap and water.
https://youtu.be/dSxC-0GSWwk

I hope that's a joke?
They should be lubricated at the gib and the where the motor spur gear attaches. DO NOT lubricate the outside rail. It will only collect dirt and debris.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...%26FORM%3DVDRE

[twindman]

Wow. So one Lippert video shows lube and one shows no lube??

[RMcNeal]

My takeaway in researching them is that it is more important to lubricate the correct areas and not lubricate the wrong ones. Never put lubricants on the tracks where the worm gear runs as it only serves to attract dirt and wear down the gears. Lubrication is only needed on the gear itself and the gib to prevent wear as it slides along the track and rail.

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by RMcNeal

I hope that's a joke?
They should be lubricated at the gib and the where the motor spur gear attaches. DO NOT lubricate the outside rail. It will only collect dirt and debris.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...%26FORM%3DVDRE

I took that right off of Lippert's Tech Institute page.The dealer told me the same thing and it makes sense. The tolerances are tight and any debris between the gear and rail will case failure. To be clear we're talking about the gear and rail. The other video is referring to the jib and coupler.

[RMcNeal]

Gotcha.
It is strange that they have conflicting information on their own videos. You'd think they could better coordinate their own message.

[Speck56]

I have a 2020 3761FL. Probably not the issue, I had the same thing. It's been in the shop since June 2022, waiting for Keystone to approve repair. Multiple frame cracks. Double check any separation anywhere around your front cabinets on either side of the TV. Keystone has finally approved the repair. Good luck

[ingalmi]

https://www.doityourselfrv.com/how-t...tem-mechanism/

Follow instructions in the link and your problem will likely go away.

[Mark7]

I watch a lot of youtube RV channels, mostly full timers and it amazes me how many of them have trouble with Schwintek slide mechanisms on larger slide boxes. Most seem to say they don't have any issues on smaller, lighter boxes lie in a bedroom slide.

Schwintek should be embarrassed by all of the bad PR out there with the same issues, but I suppose being embarrassed publicly could cost a lot of money.

Many are having their problem slides retrofitted with a new(er) but sturdier version of the same idea called Vroom. When you look at video's comparing the two it is a no brainer which one is better. Just watched one channel...

Border Hookups

and they just converted their slide in the last couple of weeks after fighting their Schwintek for over a year. Cost about $3500. Even get a synopsis from a Vroom installer and a look at the system in that video.

Doesn't help the OP much, but maybe some out there have experienced the same or are looking for options.

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by ingalmi

https://www.doityourselfrv.com/how-t...tem-mechanism/

Follow instructions in the link and your problem will likely go away.

Probably not.....just saying...