Dinette Slide Problem????

golf_bears · 03-30-2019, 09:54 AM

We have a 2017 MS DBRS3. Yesterday tried closing our dinette slide. Heard a loud "CLUNK" and slide would not close. The clunk sounded like it was towards the rack near the entrance door. As you face the slide from outside, the left end of the slide, where the hydraulic cylinder is located, wants to close but the right end won't move, just clunks.
Any thoughts and suggestions will be appreciated, thanks.

porthole · 03-30-2019, 12:01 PM

You’ll have to drop the corroplast and check the gears and crossbar.
We have a DBRS3 but you can’t see the cross mechanism from the outside.

But, if you have a borescooe camera available you can probably peak inside through the rubber seal surrounding the rack.

We also have a ‘rodent seal’ around the cylinder which is held on with one screw. That might offer enough access to see that end.

golf_bears · 03-30-2019, 12:58 PM

Just came out from underneath the RV. Pulled down the coroplast and got access to the pinion gear location. The pinion gear has 5 teeth sheared off. So now I know what the problem is. Not too easy to work on but doable. Two things to deal with, one find a new pinion gear and figure out what caused the problem.

I can't believe that the pinion gear is a soft casting and not a machined steel gear. Anyway, we're on first base right now. With a little luck I'll find the correct gear and get it in.

Any ideas on where to find a new pinion gear?

porthole · 03-30-2019, 01:30 PM

Well you probably already know your first answers are going to be DRV or Lippert.

I just read a post a few days ago where the owner couldn’t get the gears anymore and had to have them machined from blank stock.

If still available - replace both and buy a spare pair.

Did you get any pictures ?

**wingnut60** · 03-30-2019, 01:31 PM

I previously replaced the pinion gear packs on my '05 dinette slide--both had worn out the brass bushings allowing too much play to engage the rack gears. Ordered both from LCI, you can find them on the website. I had to lift the slide to get weight off the gears in order to remove the gear packs. Am not aware of any replaceable parts, just the gear pack itself. Odd to have it go out on so new a unit. At the time I did this, there were 2 models listed--one reg duty, one heavy duty. I got the hd ones and there seemed to be more 'meat' to the new ones.
You might call Slade at RollingRetreats to see if he has them in stock.
Also, if you haven't looked at it, here is link to manual:

http://www.lci1.com/assets/content/s...de-out-web.pdf

golf_bears · 03-30-2019, 02:17 PM

Thanks for the info guys. DRV, Lippert and Slade at R&R all good suggestions to get the correct parts.

Joe, thanks for the link to the manual. Was looking for it when your post came in.

Joe, how high did you have to lift the slide to get enough relief to remove the gear packs?

**wingnut60** · 03-30-2019, 04:08 PM

There was/is a post somewhere in the past of someone who did this repair and I learned from him--at the time I was at home with time & place to work. Used 2x6 across bottom of slide with bottle jack to lift. According to LCI manual, you can just place a jack on each rack arm and lift it just to get tension off the gears. Says put slide out 1/2 way, I had it all way out. I remember the hardest part was working on back and having to reach about 4-5' up into belly with only short arms. It isn't a difficult job--all mechanics and everything in sight--just hard to reach and move tools. After replacing both sides, had some difficulty in syncing both sides to open close at same time.
I don't remember the LCI manual existing at the time I did it, just parts pics.

**wingnut60** · 03-30-2019, 04:43 PM

Lets see if I can post some pics---

**wingnut60** · 03-30-2019, 04:45 PM

And some more---

golf_bears · 03-31-2019, 08:59 AM

Thanks Joe for the pictures. I have a mobile tech coming over Monday to fix the problem, I hope. Don't have the equipment needed to fix it. Need jacks and blocking. He says he may have the pinion gear we need. I'll also be calling Lippert after we find out how many teeth are on the gear.

Again, thanks for all the help.

**wingnut60** · 03-31-2019, 09:22 AM

You up in WI at this time?

golf_bears · 03-31-2019, 09:33 AM

No, we're still in the RGV at Llano RV park where we spent the winter. Was planning on leaving April 6th but may need to change our plans if we don't get the slide fixed this week.

**wingnut60** · 03-31-2019, 10:25 AM

Good luck on this--fix is simple if parts available. If tech can't get them, call LCI--they should have your VIN on file from DRV.

golf_bears · 03-31-2019, 10:43 AM

Plan on calling them first thing in the morning. Can't take a chance on tech having the right parts. If I end up with a few extra parts there's room in the RV to store them.

**wingnut60** · 03-31-2019, 11:07 AM

Those gears are strange gadgets--very loose feel to them til you get them mounted. And don't know why anyone would say they aren't available, these are the same gears been in use since Doubletree was making them. People, including myself, have bad-mouthed LCI at times, but if you know what you need, they handle it very well. Good luck with them, and the mobile tech.
And my previous problem wasn't the teeth, it was the bronze bushings that wore completely out on both ends. If you look closely at the pic of the side x side gears, you can see the gap in the old gear where the shaft is supported by the bushings.

OCB · 04-08-2019, 10:37 PM

I found 2 Spur Gears in San Antonio ( Texas RV Supply) today for a fellow that had wanted to start to Canada today. His 18 tooth gear had a Octagon center hole. His DRV was manufactured Jan 2009.

Is the octagon center the current use or is it the round hole with key-way? I could the round hole being cheaper to built but harder to install correctly or time.

Clay 2016 MS 38PS3

willyBill · 04-09-2019, 08:39 AM

Try amazon.

golf_bears · 04-09-2019, 08:51 AM

OCB, I have a 2017 MS. The gear that sheared a few teeth on my slide mechanism has 15 teeth an has a hexagon hole for the shaft. We're fixed up now and back on the road.

I contacted Lippert, the lady I spoke with new right away what gear I needed. Aired it out and got it in two days.

If you call Lippert they will know what your friend needs for his unit.