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Topic: 1991 Grand Villa Air step help (Read 2782 times) previous topic - next topic

1991 Grand Villa Air step help

I am still working on my 1991 Grand villa. The step is stuck in down position. I can NOT push it back even if there is no air pressure.




There is a wood box on the back of the step box. The inverter and aux compressor are on the box. There is no access to the air hose and regulator behind the step box.


So I have to cut the box to gain access to the back of the step box. Once I cut it, it is clear that the cable to the regulator is disconnected. The ground cable still there, but the red wire is cut for some reason. And there is a purple cable right beside the red cable. I could not find any purple cable to connect to it. What is this purple cable? where should it be connected?




After the main air tank pressure reach 70 psi, I can adjust the knob on the regulator, the pressure gauge shows about 40 psi. I let the engine running, close the door, multi-meter shows the voltage between ground and red wire is 14 Volt. But nothing happens. I think  in this case, the air step suppose to retract back. So definitely not just the wire is cut.

To complete address the issue, I took the cylinder and regulator out. It was a struggle to take them off. But after lots of sweat, all three of them are off.






Apparently one of the cylinder is completely stuck. I can't push the rod back with my full body weight. The other one is still movable. I can push the rod back and forth. But when I push it, the air connector near the bottom will spit some rust color water out. I think both of the cylinder are broken. Reading few of the posts here, it seems like these kind of cylinder is special made for Foretravel. And it is really hard to find replacement. What options do I have here? Is there any way to rebuild it?

Thanks


Re: 1991 Grand Villa Air step help

Reply #1 –
I went through this exercise a few years ago.  I may be able to shed a bit of light.  I was trying to modify my step with a switch that would control the step position with the engine off.  The link below tells how I did that.  Notice that I also found a loose purple wire hanging near the step control solenoid.  It is probably not used on your coach.  I would just tape the end of the wire to prevent it from shorting, and don't worry about it.

GV (Unihome) Air Step Mod

I will add some photos below of my step cylinders and control solenoid.  At the time I had my cylinders out, I looked online but could not find a source of identical replacements.  It is possible that you can find another cylinder that would work.  You'll just have to do some detective work and try calling shops that deal in that item.  It is also possible that a really good hydraulic shop could rebuild the cylinders.  It looked to me like trying to disassemble my cylinders would probably ruin them, so I did not attempt it.

Although my cylinders still work fine, they do leak air.  I tried to slow down the leaks by injecting some grease into the air ports on the cylinder.  We give our dog shots so I used one of her syringes to inject the grease.  It helped slow down, but did not completely fix, the air leaks.  I live with them, along with the other small "mystery" air leaks that elude my search efforts.

You could try filling your frozen cylinder from both ends with penetrating oil and see if you can get the piston moving.  If you can break it loose, then dump out the penetrating oil and add some heavy oil or grease to (hopefully) keep it working.

Your solenoid control valve is different brand than mine.  Looks like it works the same way.  If you apply 12V power to the solenoid coil, you should hear or feel the sliding valve move.  If nothing happens when you apply power, then the solenoid coil may be bad, or the valve may be plugged up or frozen inside.  You can check the coil with a multimeter.  If the valve is frozen, try squirting penetrating oil into the air connections and see if it will free up.

Good luck working on your step.  Figuring out how stuff works and finding sources for obscure obsolete parts is a challenge, but also one of the fun things about owning a classic motorhome.  I consider each project a "learning experience".

Photos below of my air cylinders with original manufacturer label:

Re: 1991 Grand Villa Air step help

Reply #2 –
Photos of my solenoid control valve assembly (in case you need to find a replacement):

Re: 1991 Grand Villa Air step help

Reply #3 –

I would try some penetrating oil on the one stuck cylinder and on the solenoid air valve.  The solenoid valve is "piloted" so you will need to hook up it to pressure to tell if it's working.  These are industrial valves so they can take a lot of abuse.  You can also try to take it apart and clean it out.  Piloted valves like these will have some small orifices can be plugged with debris.

If you do need a new valve there is any number of different ones out there that will work.  The key word is "5 way" along with 12 volts.  And they should look similar to your existing valve.
Here's one that I think would work: Tailonz Pneumatic 1/4"NPT Solenoid Valve 4V210-08 12V/24V/110V/220V Single...

As far a the purple wire, I really don't know.  It might be ignition power?
My step functions in the following way:
Switch off; door closed:  step down
Switch off; door open:    step down
Switch on; door closed:  step up
Switch on; door open :    step down

Now when I drive, I need to remember to turn the switch on.  I wish it would go up (with door closed) whenever the ignition is on but that's a change I still need to do.  All other Foretravels seem to have the step go up automatically with IGN on; but not mine for some reason.  I think some FT don't have a switch too (not sure).  I like the switch because I can close the step when I'm parked.
On thing for sure is the step should ALWAYS go down when the door is open.

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Re: 1991 Grand Villa Air step help

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
Photos of my solenoid control valve assembly (in case you need to find a replacement):
Thanks @Chuck & Jeannie. I have read your post many many times. It is really helpful.

Followe @Chuck and @JohnFitz suggestion, I have added large amount of Penetrating oil to the air pocket of the cylinder. I will let it soak for few days. See if it can un-seize the piston of the cylinder.

Thanks!

Re: 1991 Grand Villa Air step help

Reply #6 –
Quote from: master2301 –
I checked web and found this available.
Well, that's a lot more success than I had the last time I searched for a replacement cylinder.  Price seems rather high.  :o

I wonder if the air cylinders could be replaced with some kind of electric (12V) actuators?  It is not a complex movement - simply "out" and "in".  Does not require a lot of "horsepower" to move the step.  Any thoughts from our Forum electrical/mechanical gurus?

Re: 1991 Grand Villa Air step help

Reply #7 –
Chuck,

The only problem would be finding an electric actuator that is fast enough to have the step out before you get down the stairs after you open the door. They are made in all kind of lengths and strengths so that part should be findable.

Mike

Re: 1991 Grand Villa Air step help

Reply #9 –
Check at Xtreme as the cylinders are removed when the step conversion is done there. I removed mine before going there to make it easier for them as I had already purchased the step and had planned to do it myself.

Re: 1991 Grand Villa Air step help

Reply #11 –
Quote from: len.barron –
SPEEDAIRE 1 1/16 in Air Cylinder Bore Dia. with 8" Stroke Stainless Steel ,...
SPEEDAIRE 1 1/4 in Air Cylinder Bore Dia. with 8" Stroke Stainless Steel ,...


might be near a bolt in match


I have soaked the cylinder for more than 10 hours, it is still seized.  I might have to try one from what you listed here.

The price is certainly better than the original INGERSOLL RAND ARO one

Re: 1991 Grand Villa Air step help

Reply #12 –
Be sure to let us know if you try one of the new cylinders.  We would like to hear how they fit and how they work.  Also, photos of the installation.

Re: 1991 Grand Villa Air step help

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Running Odometer –
I have soaked the cylinder for more than 10 hours, it is still seized.  I might have to try one from what you listed here.

The price is certainly better than the original INGERSOLL RAND ARO one
IIWM I would try the 1 1/4" first, it looks like the best match.

Re: 1991 Grand Villa Air step help

Reply #14 –
This may be the answer to one of our minor annoyances. While driving down the road, our step will sometimes open a bit, then bang shut, several times. It once went for several months without doing this, then would do it several times in one day. I asked FOT about it a few years ago, but they didn't have any suggestions. Since the coach is parked for the winter, maybe the next time I'm out there I'll pull those cylinders off and see what I can figure out.

Re: 1991 Grand Villa Air step help

Reply #15 –
Quote from: kb0zke –
This may be the answer to one of our minor annoyances. While driving down the road, our step will sometimes open a bit, then bang shut, several times. It once went for several months without doing this, then would do it several times in one day. I asked FOT about it a few years ago, but they didn't have any suggestions. Since the coach is parked for the winter, maybe the next time I'm out there I'll pull those cylinders off and see what I can figure out.
I had the same thing happen to me.  I believe the switch in the door needs adjusting.  Adjusting it can be hard since the jamb nut is on the inside is not accessible unless you pull the whole door frame (which I did when I had the door off once).  Thinking back now, it might be accessible if you pull the wood trim off on the inside (just a few screws).

I just checked mine and I can hear the click of the switch when the door is 3" open.  One easy solution is to glue a spacer (washer, penny or dime ?) to where the switch strikes.

Re: 1991 Grand Villa Air step help

Reply #16 –
Well, after another day of soaking in penetrating oil, the cylinder is finally broken loose with a bigger hammer.  A lot of nasty rusty liquid came out. The rod can be pushed in and out easily now.
 Next is to clean/rebuild the solenoid control valve.
Hope this will fix the whole air step mechanism.

Re: 1991 Grand Villa Air step help

Reply #17 –
It's going to leak air. Look at posts putting a solenoid valve in to mitigate the problem.

Re: 1991 Grand Villa Air step help

Reply #18 –
Chuch, When I worked in industry we used a lot of electric (linear actuators) you cannot them that move as fast as air cylinders  if that is what you want.  Personally I always liked the direct drive units but they seem to be more expensive, but you can get belt drive units that are rated for 1 million cycles.  I have been looking at doing the same thing with our coach to eliminate another air leak point.
Chris

Re: 1991 Grand Villa Air step help

Reply #19 –
Chris,

Like Mike said, the step needs to move fast enough to be fully open before you step out the door.  If that is possible without breaking the bank, then I would also be interested.  Let us know if you find anything that might work.