I'm back again! Thanks for another great video. I successfully replaced a gearbox the other day. Cause of failure: The hole for one of the internal gear shafts got fractured/elongated and caused the failure (binding). Suggestion: My unit is a fifth wheel with a good amount of head clearance. I made a couple of (vertical and horizontal) measurements using a combination square and drilled two 1/2" holes in the facia behind the access panel using a flat wood drill bit. The holes facilitated in removing 2 of the bottom motor/gearbox assembly bracket screws instead of removing and reinstalling the facia.
I’ve just replaced the gearbox on that heavy kitchen side slide out, on 2016 open range light 319RLS. Gearbox wore out inside and stripped the final drive because it was straining so hard to pull that heavy slide out room in. Why was it straining so hard you ask? Well the roller brackets underneath the room end walls which are supposed to take the room weight on the rollers were sagged flat, so the room was sliding on the flat backside of the bracket, not with the roller sitting “proud” and carrying weight of the room. Support cushion under the bracket was too small, same length as lighter dining side slide out! I called Highland Ridge RV Tech Support with the VIN, told them roller bracket cushions were obviously too small from the factory, what is the correct size cushion? They stated they didn’t know, they would ship the largest cushion, 4” and I could cut it to size. But I said, what is the correct size? They didn’t know. Luckily BAL/Norco Industries tech support called me back and said any issues with too heavy a room, put in the largest 4” cushion and call it good. We propped the roller brackets up with spacers until the cushions arrive, so we could slide in the room (two guys push while wife runs the switch, gearbox clunking and snapping) I replaced the gearbox (it had the telltale bulge) with a new one, which appears updated and heavier built. Room already works waaaay better. Strains way less coming in, out was never an issue. The gearboxes aren’t weak, if all the other components are doing their proper jobs. If the gearbox is toast, there’s got to be a reason!!
I have had to change three gear boxes and 2 broken cables on my 2016 KEYSTONE Sprinter within the last 5 years. I am full time so they get more use. The original CHINESE gears are crap, it's not if but when they will strip out. Order an extra motor gear box combination and a cable replacement kit to have with you because the BAL crapuslide system will Fail. Oh and cable clamps work just fine.
Do you think the cables should be replaced as a set? I always cringe until both my awning and slide are in with no issues before wrapping up a camping trip
No and us techs do the exact same thing. Every time I have to run a room in and out or run an awning in and out, I just pray that they all work until I get out of there.
I learn a lot from you. keep it going
I will.
I'm back again! Thanks for another great video. I successfully replaced a gearbox the other day. Cause of failure: The hole for one of the internal gear shafts got fractured/elongated and caused the failure (binding). Suggestion: My unit is a fifth wheel with a good amount of head clearance. I made a couple of (vertical and horizontal) measurements using a combination square and drilled two 1/2" holes in the facia behind the access panel using a flat wood drill bit. The holes facilitated in removing 2 of the bottom motor/gearbox assembly bracket screws instead of removing and reinstalling the facia.
That works too. Good job.
something else to try, install rollers on the bottom of the slide made a huge difference on mine.
BAL says a roller every 16 inches. RV manufacturers don’t always do what they are supposed to. Shocker, right?
👍👍🇨🇦✌️🇨🇦✌️ 😊 Have a good one Kenny
You also Brian
Never saddle a dead horse.
Slides are nice when they work correctly! I have a schwintech, my fear is it will stop when I need it most.
That's what they do Frosty....😁
Bal has a video on how to do it. I watched it doesn't look to bad for you to do it.
The videos on their website are great.
Have you encountered the BAL Exact Slide yet? Just got my first one.
Holy crap. A different one? Nope not yet.
My luck the gear box would have broke, then the customer would have blamed me for it. Looking forward to the repair. Thanks, Kenny.
That is what I was afraid of too.
What I despise… is to do the job right the facia needs to come off. Such a pain in the butt.
BAL has a video posted here on youtube on how to adjust these.
Replacement cables are super long and you must cut them down to your slide application. Just easier to make one length for all needs.
@@landonwilcox1837 Yes I have watched them.
@@landonwilcox1837 Every room is a different size, so every cable is a different length.
@@hillbillyrv Exactly thats why the replacement cables are long.
Strange times we live in. I have this system and just waiting for it to go south lol 😆 Don't know what I will do when it happens.
They usually work ok.
Good MORNING!! YR UP EARLY !!!!LOL
Don't tell anybody.
Well good try. Thanks Don
We will finish it.
I’ve just replaced the gearbox on that heavy kitchen side slide out, on 2016 open range light 319RLS. Gearbox wore out inside and stripped the final drive because it was straining so hard to pull that heavy slide out room in. Why was it straining so hard you ask? Well the roller brackets underneath the room end walls which are supposed to take the room weight on the rollers were sagged flat, so the room was sliding on the flat backside of the bracket, not with the roller sitting “proud” and carrying weight of the room. Support cushion under the bracket was too small, same length as lighter dining side slide out! I called Highland Ridge RV Tech Support with the VIN, told them roller bracket cushions were obviously too small from the factory, what is the correct size cushion? They stated they didn’t know, they would ship the largest cushion, 4” and I could cut it to size. But I said, what is the correct size? They didn’t know. Luckily BAL/Norco Industries tech support called me back and said any issues with too heavy a room, put in the largest 4” cushion and call it good. We propped the roller brackets up with spacers until the cushions arrive, so we could slide in the room (two guys push while wife runs the switch, gearbox clunking and snapping) I replaced the gearbox (it had the telltale bulge) with a new one, which appears updated and heavier built. Room already works waaaay better. Strains way less coming in, out was never an issue. The gearboxes aren’t weak, if all the other components are doing their proper jobs. If the gearbox is toast, there’s got to be a reason!!
Glad you got yours fixed and thanks for the info.
Do the cables move the slide out right and left to keep it centered
No, only in and out.
I started gritting my teeth when I heard that slide It did not sound good at all Good call on your in Kenny Looking forward to the follow up
Gearbox didn't sound happy, at all.
I have had to change three gear boxes and 2 broken cables on my 2016 KEYSTONE Sprinter within the last 5 years. I am full time so they get more use.
The original CHINESE gears are crap, it's not if but when they will strip out. Order an extra motor gear box combination and a cable replacement kit to have with you because the BAL crapuslide system will
Fail. Oh and cable clamps work just fine.
Wow!!! I bet you are getting pretty good at fixing them and yes having spare parts is a really good idea.
Thats usually how all my quick jobs go. 5 min turns into hours.
It happens.
What is the hardest type of slides to work on ?
Everyone of them have pros and cons.
Do you think the cables should be replaced as a set? I always cringe until both my awning and slide are in with no issues before wrapping up a camping trip
No and us techs do the exact same thing. Every time I have to run a room in and out or run an awning in and out, I just pray that they all work until I get out of there.
The in and out cables are not attached to each other
They all attach to the room, so they are connected to each other and they are all attached buy a chain at the gearbox too.
Who put the cat in the gearbox 😊
I think it was a Lion.
cable was cut to long and gearbox is on its way out
Yes and Yes. We are going to fix both of those issues in an upcoming video.