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Topic: GV Entry Step Actuating Cylinder (Read 1516 times) previous topic - next topic

GV Entry Step Actuating Cylinder

This post is for those GV owners who have never looked closely at the cylinders that make your entry step go up and down.  My cylinders have both been leaking at the polished rod seal.  This is common on high-mileage coaches.  This is not a BIG leak, but it will drain my air pressure down to 60 psi overnight - then the protection valves hold the pressure there.  I installed a (manual) valve on the air line going to the cylinders which I can shut if we will be parked for a while.  There are instructions on the Forum for installing a electric valve to do the same thing.  I also found a mention of one owner (Ed Kipling) injecting grease into the cylinders, which (he said) greatly reduced the air leakage.

How the inside step slide and outside step operate

The problem with these cylinders leaking is twofold.  First, they are not easily rebuildable.  Yes, you will find tech sheets that say these cylinders are rebuildable, but good luck with that.  Parts would be extremely hard to find, and you would probably tear the thing up trying to get it apart.  Second, they are a "special" length, likely built specifically for Foretravel (of course), and therefore it's almost impossible to buy replacements.  If you did get lucky and find some NOS (new old stock) cylinders on eBay or somewhere, the price would surely trigger a major coronary event.

http://www.beamalarm.com/foretravel-links/PDF/Economair-series%20cylinders.pdf

So anyway, I pulled mine off today so I could try injecting the grease, to see if it helps.  Except for the air leaks, both of my cylinders are in great shape, and work fine.  I took some photos, so there would be a photo source on the Forum for future reference.  If you do a Google search on the part number, you will find lots of tech info, but most likely none for sale.

http://www.applied.com/static/catalog/pdfs/2016_pg723.pdf

I re-purposed a used hypodermic needle to inject about 1 ml of Super Lube through the air fitting into each end of both cylinders.  I pulled the needle off the end, and pulled the plunger out the top.  Then I squeezed the grease from the tube into the hypo.  Reinstalled the plunger and squirted the grease into the air fittings.  Worked great!

I will get the cylinders reinstalled tomorrow, and do another post to report the result (successful or not) of my project.

Re: GV Entry Step Actuating Cylinder

Reply #1 –
Chuck the cylinders are rebuilable and one end comes away from cylinder after the spring clip which is removed out from that hole in one end. The fittings are removed then a strap wrench is used to rotate the cylinder while holding the end in a vice. Should be directions on forum as one of the members (lake Havasu) did this a few years ago. Have not heard from them for some time.
JohnH

It was Brad Slaughter if I remember right.

Re: GV Entry Step Actuating Cylinder

Reply #2 –
John,

The rebuilding directions are in the 2nd link I posted above.  Like I said - good luck to anyone that tries it.  I've attempted repairing this same type cylinder in the past - either ruined it taking it apart, or couldn't get it back together.  Either way - no luck.  Probably just my ineptitude...

And, finding a rebuild kit with the "special" rubber seals, O-rings and slip rings wouldn't be any easier than finding new cylinders.

Re: GV Entry Step Actuating Cylinder

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
This post is for those GV owners who have never looked closely at the cylinders that make your entry step go up and down.
Chuck,
 
Are you saying that the Unihome assembly is different than the Unicoach assemblies?
 
Trent

Re: GV Entry Step Actuating Cylinder

Reply #5 –
Quote from: TulsaTrent –
Are you saying that the Unihome assembly is different than the Unicoach assemblies?
Trent,

No, I'm not saying anything about what is fitted to the Unicoach.  I don't know anything about the Unicoach.  I only know GV.

Chuck

Re: GV Entry Step Actuating Cylinder

Reply #6 –
Quote from: DavidS –
...quick search came up with this.  I bought 2 new a while ago but do not remember where.
Thanks, I am aware of that listing.  I will try calling Monday, but in my experience when they say "Call for price" it is not good.  Either they won't have it in stock but "We might be able to find one...", or if they do have one they want way too much money.

If you ever remember where you purchased the new cylinders, please post the source and price.

Re: GV Entry Step Actuating Cylinder

Reply #8 –
Did anyone ever check with PHD, INC for cylinders? I used to use them a lot when I designed machinery and placement equipment.
Quite often I would get the same cylinder from either Aro or PHD.
PHD, INC
9009 Clubridge Drive
Fort Wayne, IN 46809
i-800-624-8511
Email: phdinfo@phdinc.com

Re: GV Entry Step Actuating Cylinder

Reply #11 –
Since Chuck brought this up, we've had an issue with our step since we bought the coach. The step works perfectly when parked (stay open). As air builds up and the door is closed, the step closes. While we're driving down the road, though, the step tries to open, then closes. Sometimes it is just the one time, other times multiple times, before it stays closed. I don't know if the door switch is at fault, if it is an air leak, or something else. Any thoughts?

Compared to an engine rebuilt, this is a minor issue, but when we did the test drive the mechanic was startled by it, and he watched the step "wave" at traffic. He was amused.

Re: GV Entry Step Actuating Cylinder

Reply #12 –
David,

First place I would look is the door switch.  Possible intermittent switch action, or a loose wire connection.  You should be able to access the switch by removing some wood trim items around the door frame.  On our coach, the switch is a mechanical push button type, mounted on the left side of the door (looking from inside the coach), and covered by a trim piece.  (Yellow wire is "hot" with ignition "ON".  With the push button extended (door open), the red wire is "hot".  With the push button compressed (door closed), the purple wire is "hot")
.
Link below to a post where I did a "manual step switch mod".  Explains how the switch controls the step.  Might be of interest...

GV (Unihome) Air Step Mod

Re: GV Entry Step Actuating Cylinder

Reply #13 –
David,
Our step does the exact same thing and has been doing this since purchased 1-1/2 years ago. It only acts up while driving so it makes trouble shooting a little problematic. Th DW doesn't like me hanging out the door while she is driving for some reason.  ???
Unlike Chuck's door switch ours is a magnetic switch with the magnet mounted on the door. I felt the most likely problem would be the switch so it was replaced (used an exact replacement) but our step still "waves at traffic". Now I have to determine if I am loosing power to the switch or from the switch to the solenoid. It appears to be a loose connection, but haven't ruled out a defective solenoid.

Re: GV Entry Step Actuating Cylinder

Reply #14 –
Could also be a partially broken ground wire on the solenoid, or loose connection where it screws to the frame.  When I was messing with my step solenoid, I found the (unsecured) ground wire was starting to break due to years of vibration, but was still making contact. 

Re: GV Entry Step Actuating Cylinder

Reply #15 –
Check any plastic connectors in the "loop".
My cruise and Triple nickle's cruise did not work. I removed the plastic connector and my cruise now works!! Told 555 what I did. He took his connector out and now his cruise works!! After driving from Washington state to Florida without cruise!!
I think problems with electrical circuits can be traced to poor ground or intermittent contacts in a circuit. And there is nothing more aggravating than a problem that does not malfunction consistently.
Don't know how many times I wished something that was acting up would just break so I could fix what was causing the problem!!

Re: GV Entry Step Actuating Cylinder

Reply #16 –
Maybe this will help.
This was my step cylinder.
If the step well cover actuator is made by Ingersall Rand these contacts should be able to help.

Here is the step cylinder overhaul info:

You can get the kit from:
Kelly Supply (Grand Island,NE.)
Salesman is Terry Falkena at
800-918-8939 ext 233.

The new p/n for my step cyl 1995 U320se) is
2418-1089-081DFF-B18AST
The kit p/n is Rk2418-10.

If you can't get the cyl apart (or don't want to do it)
Call Denise Marsh at Ingersall Rand at 419-633-6926.
I sent the actuator and o/h kit to her.
She ran it through the training dept. No charge and even paid the return shipping!

This is something I posted sometime ago.
It worked for me because I couldn't get the wire key out of the end of the cylinder.
Those contacts may have changed but hopefully the phone numbers will still get you to someone that can help.
JD

Re: GV Entry Step Actuating Cylinder

Reply #17 –
Thanks, John!  Excellent list of sources.  If my "grease injection" does not cure my cylinder leaks, I will pursue your leads.  ^.^d

Re: GV Entry Step Actuating Cylinder

Reply #18 –
Chuck, sorry about repeating the info as I did not look at the link thinking it was just some other info on them.
JohnH

Re: GV Entry Step Actuating Cylinder

Reply #19 –
No problem, John.  It was still good info that at least one owner did have the required skill (luck) to do the cylinder rebuild.  If I end up buying a couple rebuild kits, I might give it another shot.  Doesn't sound that hard, but like John Duld said, it's that darn locking "feed" wire that is tricky.