Thule Electric Step - Snapped Shaft

[Bustup15]

Electric step stopped working although the motor was still driving.

Took the cover off (with difficulty as I'm not a 6 stone midget) and found the drive shaft snapped.

Emailed the German dealer and he.offered to ship one out if I was ok to fit it.

Requested on the 27th and it arrived today, must say I'm pretty impressed with the service.

1st job in the morning if it's not p##sing down before we leave for the South West Show on Thursday.

Photos of manual attached.if they are of any use.to others.

 

[Lanerboy]

I did this job a couple of months ago 30 min job max if I had to do it again it would take even less time

Does anyone know the cheapest place to buy this kit as I want to keep a spare in my motorhome and dealer sent me the last one under warranty

 

[andy63]

That splined shaft is a weakish point in the steps drive..mine snapped and they replaced the whole step for the sake of a shaft..
I had to wait a while for the new step so managed to make a shaft in the meantime..
The new step they fitted also eventually snapped and my home made one also snapped...
So I'm on my 4th shaft and when i get home ill be making a spare to carry round..?

The step spare parts.

Is anyone able to help... im not great on computers and my search skills are lacking.. The drive shafts from motor to step has snapped.. I've searched but unable to identify the part It's a thule 550mm single leaf step and The splined part sits in the motor gearing and the squared end drives the...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[StitchesnFluff]

That splined shaft is a weakish point in the steps drive..mine snapped and they replaced the whole step for the sake of a shaft..
I had to wait a while for the new step so managed to make a shaft in the meantime..
The new step they fitted also eventually snapped and my home made one also snapped...
So I'm on my 4th shaft and when i get home ill be making a spare to carry round..?

The step spare parts.

Is anyone able to help... im not great on computers and my search skills are lacking.. The drive shafts from motor to step has snapped.. I've searched but unable to identify the part It's a thule 550mm single leaf step and The splined part sits in the motor gearing and the squared end drives the...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Any ideas as to why yours keeps breaking?

 

[DP+JAY]

£27.60 delivered off eBay?
Item No. 183682245778

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[andy63]

Any ideas as to why yours keeps breaking?

I suspect it's just not deploying the step fully ..that would put a fair load on the drive shaft rather than the step linkages that should be locked out fully in the open position to take the load when you stand on the step... but it's certainly a marginal thing..there may be a little play or flex even if deployed fully that allows the drive shaft to be loaded when the step is used...
It's always the same part of the shaft that fails where the splinesd section joins the major diameter ...
Andy.

 

[ADJF]

I have an issue with my Thule step. We are currently outside of the UK so I may wait to look at it when we return but when it retracts it makes the most awful grinding/juddering noise when the engine starts, this is irrespective if it is in the up or down position when I start the van. If functions absolutely fine when we drop/lift it from the switch when the van is parked up. Can anyone help me diagnose this problem?

 

[andy63]

Can anyone help me diagnose this problem?

Not sure but if this happens only on the auto retract with engine running then it could be the switch that controls the relay coil that powers the step... it's not operating cleanly and the motor is getting run to try and close the step regardless of the step position .. that may be one option to investigate..
Andy

 

[ADJF]

Not sure but if this happens only on the auto retract with engine running then it could be the switch that controls the relay coil that powers the step... it's not operating cleanly and the motor is getting run to try and close the step regardless of the step position .. that may be one option to investigate..
Andy

Thank you, I suppose the question is where is this switch and how to I test and replace it. Ive a Swift Lifestyle 664 on a Fiat Ducato chassis?

 

[andy63]

Thank you, I suppose the question is where is this switch and how to I test and replace it. Ive a Swift Lifestyle 664 on a Fiat Ducato chassis?

As i said thats just my best guess reading your symptoms..
If your step is as I imagine the switch is usually easily enough located... it's usually operated by one of the step linkages when the step is in the closed position.. close to the motor..and with wires running to it..
You may have to remove a plastic cover to gain good access..
Andy

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lanerboy]

Any ideas as to why yours keeps breaking?

Might be down to their diet ?