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Topic: 2002 U270 Slide Adjustment and Repair  (Read 660 times) previous topic - next topic

2002 U270 Slide Adjustment and Repair

My coach was built in most of 2001 and registered as a 2002.

The travel light will not come on, the upper rear locking pin would not engage (assuming new issue since FT work), and the slide would not fully extend.

In looking through the various search resulted it appears I thought I had a fairly common problem to only find out my problem was not what I expected.

As you can see from the crude drawing the slide is far from square when fully extended. I thought the issue was due to 18 years of use and assumed it needed adjusting.

Background:
FT replaced the hydraulic pump las year when they did their many repairs. After more of the same issues I determined the original slide issues were probably not related to the pump they changed out and directly related to a failing continuous duty relay for the HWH system.  I guess what they say about shops changing out parts without really knowing the issue is true.

FT also diagnosed the HWH computer to need repair. After about 14 weeks of working with HWH I finally received my repaired computers.  I promptly hooked it back up and still the damn travel light would not come on. Another great fix FT!  I am now well into one and a half coach bucks on the travel light and slide issues only to have the nothing actually fixed. I have to take the word of HWH that they replaced the parts they said and that they needed replacing. I only wonder because it took a lot of calling and expediting to get them to "fix" my computer and send it back.

Since the relay replacement the slide and HWH system have worked more properly. However, the problems listed in the beginning of the post sill exist and have always been present since I bought the coach. I was lead to believe there weren't any issues with this by the PO. Shame on me. 

Fast forward to yesterday:
A simple check of the HWH hydraulic tank showed to be very low on fluid. I assume there was some air in the system when FT replaced the pump. I also noticed that they topped the system off with red (probably AT fluid) oil instead of the clear HWH oil. The tank took about one and a half quarts to get it to the proper level. With an adequate hydraulic level the locking pins now engage.

After removing all the trim to gain access to the HWH slide mechanisms I finally found the culprit for the slide extension issue. It appears the last link e-clip retaining the brass roller on the train had failed. This allowed the pin to drop down slightly and jam with the slide when fully extended. It was only a matter of time before something jammed worse and the slide was stuck in the extended state. It was a chore to get the pin all the way out.

Barry's site directed me to the part numbers and tool needed to replace the bent pin. I am also going to try and see if a machine shop can make me a new SS pin on Monday. I will call FT and MOT to see if they have the HWH kit in stock. Finally I plan to call HWH to see about overnighting the parts to me. I have a trip scheduled for this Thursday and I want to use the slide.

I hope the slide will true up when I replace the pin. Hopefully this will allow all necessary sensors and locks to engage to satisfy the travel light and turn off the dreaded level alarm in the dash that has been present since I bought the coach. Everything I read led me to believe it was safe to drive the coach as the slide appears to be all the way retraced and most of the locking pins were engaged.

In hindsight I may have just been lucky there wasn't and accident. I will update the thread once I secure the parts and finish the repairs.
2002 U270 34' Build 5953
Cummings ISL400HP
3410 Floor Plan
Longview, TX

Re: Slide Adjustment and Repair

Reply #1 –
check one you can see and I am guessing maybe a allen wrench bolt? with a sleeve? .. see if there is one you can remove from another spot that wont be used when you bring it in? or maybe a new bolt and an aluminum or stainless steel sleeve? Pipe?

Also add 2002 U270 in title or description for future searches if you would.. this is a peculiar year and slide..

Re: 2002 U270 Slide Adjustment and Repair

Reply #2 –
A few more pictures of the slide components and part listing.
2002 U270 34' Build 5953
Cummings ISL400HP
3410 Floor Plan
Longview, TX

Re: 2002 U270 Slide Adjustment and Repair

Reply #3 –
Any chance it can be pressed straight? Stainless always seems softer/slicker. Depending on alloy. Providing it isn't cracked when your done. Replace with correct original new when you have time after you get back.
Scott

Re: 2002 U270 Slide Adjustment and Repair

Reply #4 –
I've straightened shafts like that with a vice and pipe to get it close, then rolled on the anvil of the vice hitting on the high side until usable. Looks like a standard E clip slot on the pin.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: 2002 U270 Slide Adjustment and Repair

Reply #5 –
If you believe there was air in the system there is a synchronizing piston that Has to be bled properly. also did you notice that the slide was going out crooked? Also for you to need fluid means that somehow or another the system has been compromised . One of the pictures  showing me that the piston is not going all the way to the stop. I have a 2002 U270 with the train system also
John Patrick
2002 U270

Re: 2002 U270 Slide Adjustment and Repair

Reply #6 –
On the HWH website gives you A troubleshooting section that tells you about the lock system and the magnetic pick ups inside the lock that indicate whether the lock is open or close which you can evaluate yourself with the  LED light in the control box in the bay. The travel light will not come on if the lock is not engaged
John Patrick
2002 U270

Re: 2002 U270 Slide Adjustment and Repair

Reply #7 –
Quote from: opelgt327 –
If you believe there was air in the system there is a synchronizing piston that Has to be bled properly. also did you notice that the slide was going out crooked? Also for you to need fluid means that somehow or another the system has been compromised . One of the pictures  showing me that the piston is not going all the way to the stop. I have a 2002 U270 with the train system also
This system is self bleeding... Take a large magnet ( when needed) run it by the sensors and you can watch what happens in the coach.. 2 are for light left and right above the slide and the other is for the (closed position) for the pins to drop down ( or open depending on the position of the slide.

Fix the pin you removed and adjust the slide with the nuts in your picture.. once bent I suppose things have a tendency to move around under 50k of pressure (guessing) (or whatever it is)..

Re: 2002 U270 Slide Adjustment and Repair

Reply #8 –
So I was able to have a friend make me a new pin. After paying $47 for the $0.16 retaining clips to be delivered in two days I was able to get it all back together.

Everything works!!!! The slide is square and the damn travel light is on and no more alarm!!!!
2002 U270 34' Build 5953
Cummings ISL400HP
3410 Floor Plan
Longview, TX

Re: 2002 U270 Slide Adjustment and Repair

Reply #9 –
Since the 2002 slide mechanism was a "limited run" situation, I might suggest reading through Brad Slaughter's posts on his slide.  Here are two of his threads that may be of use

2002 Train Slide Issue

HWH and Slideout creep
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320