Retractable Running Board problem
New User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Hello,
You did a great job showing how to fix the problem, I followed the steps with no problems...except one (and it's a biggie). After putting it all back together the board works opposite from how it's supposed to: when the door is open, the board goes up...close the door and it goes down. I tried disassembling it, rotating the motor manually to the opposite position, reassembling etc...but it does the exact same thing. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
You did a great job showing how to fix the problem, I followed the steps with no problems...except one (and it's a biggie). After putting it all back together the board works opposite from how it's supposed to: when the door is open, the board goes up...close the door and it goes down. I tried disassembling it, rotating the motor manually to the opposite position, reassembling etc...but it does the exact same thing. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Can someone assist in how to correct the problem? Thank you.
Darren
New User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
I would like to know where are the contacts for the rear door that needs to be clean for my retractable running boards. It works good with the front door, but does not work when I open the rear door. Passenger side works good for both front & rear doors. Has anyone had this issue? I have a 2008 Expedition EL & I would appreciate any info or pictures.
New User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
You need to rotate the motor housing. It contains magnets and the polarity of the magnets in relation to the motor affect the direction of the motor. So, undo the 3 screws, rotate the housing (I had to rotate mine past the next set of holes and stop at the following holes), re-attach, and re-test.
Last edited by owenford; Jun 21, 2014 at 03:06 PM. Reason: grammar
New User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
how about if the running board does deploy/retract, but the motor continues to try and run for several seconds after it fully deploys (or retract) and once fully opened or closed, it's a loud sound until the motor turns itself off. Anyone run into this one?
New User
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Hi, It looks like the gear is not engaged all around and only on one side. I am wondering if you can turn it around so that the unused portion is now engaging with the other gear, this way you don't have to look for a new part. Of course if you do this the problem becomes how to put the wedge back that fixes the shaft to the hinge. Maybe you could come up with an additional screw instead of the wedge.
BTW how did you remove the gear from the running board linkage? I tried to disassemble mine and couldn't disconnect the motor-gearbox assembly from the running board links. I was able to remove aluminum wedge and after that the shaft would spin but would not come out. I pounded it with a hammer slightly but didn't want to hit too hard and break something.
Thank you.
BTW how did you remove the gear from the running board linkage? I tried to disassemble mine and couldn't disconnect the motor-gearbox assembly from the running board links. I was able to remove aluminum wedge and after that the shaft would spin but would not come out. I pounded it with a hammer slightly but didn't want to hit too hard and break something.
Thank you.
New User
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I have a similar problem with the driver side retractable running board on my 2010 Expedition. The symptom was that the running board would deploy, but not retract. It would continue to try to retract (e.g. you could hear the motor turning, but nothing would move). If you "help" push it in, it would eventually retract. After removal and inspection of the electric motor per the posts in this thread, everything looked fine. It felt like a gear problem. I removed the tamper proof screws on the end of the gear housing to remove the helical gear that mates to the worm drive gear. Upon inspection, the gear was furrowed from the worm gear, thus causing the board retraction to fail. I'm looking into possible remedies short of replacing the entire motor. I checked around to a few machine shops to see about having a gear machined, but it's somewhat cost prohibitive at the 1 gear quantity.
Anybody have any luck locating anything via a wrecking yard, or otherwise? Ideas?
Thanks!
End of Motor Showing Gear Housing:
Helical Gear with Drive Shaft:
Helical Gear Up Close w/Defect:
Anybody have any luck locating anything via a wrecking yard, or otherwise? Ideas?Thanks!
End of Motor Showing Gear Housing:
Helical Gear with Drive Shaft:
Helical Gear Up Close w/Defect:
BTW how did you remove the gear from the running board linkage? I tried to disassemble mine and couldn't disconnect the motor-gearbox assembly from the running board links. I was able to remove aluminum wedge and after that the shaft would spin but would not come out. I pounded it with a hammer slightly but didn't want to hit too hard and break something.
Thank you.
New User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
no more ext warranty
My problems with the RB's are on a '04 Nav but not the motor or mechanics. The rb's on both sides started to growl, creak or scream as they went/in. Had dealer check and of course it wouldn't do it for them. Seemed to happen after it was hot outside and only after driven a while. Finally, they agreed to r/r them under the Ext. warranty. Yes, this time buying the ext warranty worked for the buyer including AC (twice), front Air Suspension replacement and the r/b replacement. (gone past the 100k and time limit now).
Now, at ten second intervals, the sensor in the ds door clicks. If the car is locked, it unlocks. This happens when running down the road AND when parked with ignition off. And the door ajar indicator stays on. So has anyone been into the door latch assbly to r/r the sensor?? Any experiences are usually worth their weight in gold!
(I have the r/b's turned off)
Now, at ten second intervals, the sensor in the ds door clicks. If the car is locked, it unlocks. This happens when running down the road AND when parked with ignition off. And the door ajar indicator stays on. So has anyone been into the door latch assbly to r/r the sensor?? Any experiences are usually worth their weight in gold!
(I have the r/b's turned off)
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,339
Likes: 0
First thing to try on the door sensor is to douse it with WD40 and open and close the door a dozen times. Typical problem, and ordinarily a great cost effective fix.
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New User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
r/b more
af41: yes the WD used to work but after MUCH dousing and slamming, it doesn't do the trick any more. It's time to go into it and don't know what I'm looking for after removing the panel. 'course whatever's going click click will be a clue
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 2
From: North Port, Florida
I did the sensors on my wife's 03 Navy I think only one on the pas side but not real hard. Just tight spot. I think the replacement was a Bourg warner from rock auto maybe. I still have a new one in the box at home I will look tongue iirc they are side specific though
New User
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Running Board Operating in Reverse
I have fixed my deployable power running board. Here is how
Step 1. Remove the running board from truck, 4 13mm nuts and 2 13mm bolts unplug wiring.
Step 2. Remove motor cover. 2 small torque screws.
Step 3. Spray lubricant behind the circuit board to lubricate transmission.
Step 4. On rear of the hinge there is an 8mm bolt remove it and knock out aluminum wedge. Remember which way it comes out. That wedge is a keyway that makes the board move with the motor shaft.
Step 5. With the wedge removed, spray all the moving joints with lubricant and work the hinges up and down, until everything moves freely. Working the lubricant into all the joints.
Step 6. Install wedge back into place; install motor cover back on to motor. ( Make sure that the rear bearing is aligned to accept the motor shaft. you might have to wiggle it back and forth to seat the cover. Plug in wiring harness and try it out, then install it back on truck.
Very simple and easy to fix. It probably will take you less that 1 hour. I will post pictures this week when I do the other side. The side that I repaired deploys up and down twice as the other side now.
Front two nuts and one bolt
Rear two nuts and one bolt
[IMG]
[/IMG]
unplug wiring
[IMG]
[/IMG]
off truck
[IMG]
[/IMG]
lay something soft down so no scratches
[IMG]
[/IMG]
plastic sheild screws
[IMG]
[/IMG]
motor cover screws
[IMG]
[/IMG]
pull off motor cover
[IMG]
[/IMG]
spin shaft untill it stops, wedge bolt will be accessible
[IMG]
[/IMG]
remove wedge bolt
[IMG]
[/IMG]
pop out wedge from back side
[IMG]
[/IMG]
wedge
[IMG]
[/IMG]
this is motor shaft, note black square will make mark on wedge
[IMG]
[/IMG]
note mark on wedge for reintallation
[IMG]
[/IMG]
spray lubricant on all moving parts
[IMG]
[/IMG]
step on board and work up and down spraying lubricant in all joints untill moving freely
[IMG]
[/IMG]
spray lubricant in transmission
[IMG]
[/IMG]
spray electricial cleaner inside motor cover
[IMG]
[/IMG]
spray electricial cleaner on shaft
[IMG]
[/IMG]
inspect that the brushes are still good
[IMG]
[/IMG]
apply small amount of grease to back bearing in motor cover, use something plastic to apply grease.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
work bearing so it moves freely
[IMG]
[/IMG]
insert motor cover, you might have to wiggle it back and forth
[IMG]
[/IMG]
motor cover screwed in place
[IMG]
[/IMG]
insert wegde in place
[IMG]
[/IMG]
flip board over and insert wedge screw and tighten down
[IMG]
[/IMG]
install plastic sheild screws
[IMG]
[/IMG]
bring board back over to truck and plug in electric wiring and test board. reinstall all four nuts and two bolts securing board back to truck
[IMG]
[/IMG]
deployed
[IMG]
[/IMG]
board retracted, your all done saving 1600.00 bucks
Step 1. Remove the running board from truck, 4 13mm nuts and 2 13mm bolts unplug wiring.
Step 2. Remove motor cover. 2 small torque screws.
Step 3. Spray lubricant behind the circuit board to lubricate transmission.
Step 4. On rear of the hinge there is an 8mm bolt remove it and knock out aluminum wedge. Remember which way it comes out. That wedge is a keyway that makes the board move with the motor shaft.
Step 5. With the wedge removed, spray all the moving joints with lubricant and work the hinges up and down, until everything moves freely. Working the lubricant into all the joints.
Step 6. Install wedge back into place; install motor cover back on to motor. ( Make sure that the rear bearing is aligned to accept the motor shaft. you might have to wiggle it back and forth to seat the cover. Plug in wiring harness and try it out, then install it back on truck.
Very simple and easy to fix. It probably will take you less that 1 hour. I will post pictures this week when I do the other side. The side that I repaired deploys up and down twice as the other side now.
Front two nuts and one bolt
Rear two nuts and one bolt
[IMG]
unplug wiring
[IMG]
off truck
[IMG]
lay something soft down so no scratches
[IMG]
plastic sheild screws
[IMG]
motor cover screws
[IMG]
pull off motor cover
[IMG]
spin shaft untill it stops, wedge bolt will be accessible
[IMG]
remove wedge bolt
[IMG]
pop out wedge from back side
[IMG]
wedge
[IMG]
this is motor shaft, note black square will make mark on wedge
[IMG]
note mark on wedge for reintallation
[IMG]
spray lubricant on all moving parts
[IMG]
step on board and work up and down spraying lubricant in all joints untill moving freely
[IMG]
spray lubricant in transmission
[IMG]
spray electricial cleaner inside motor cover
[IMG]
spray electricial cleaner on shaft
[IMG]
inspect that the brushes are still good
[IMG]
apply small amount of grease to back bearing in motor cover, use something plastic to apply grease.
[IMG]
work bearing so it moves freely
[IMG]
insert motor cover, you might have to wiggle it back and forth
[IMG]
motor cover screwed in place
[IMG]
insert wegde in place
[IMG]
flip board over and insert wedge screw and tighten down
[IMG]
install plastic sheild screws
[IMG]
bring board back over to truck and plug in electric wiring and test board. reinstall all four nuts and two bolts securing board back to truck
[IMG]
deployed
[IMG]
board retracted, your all done saving 1600.00 bucks
Followed the instructions.
GREAT JOB actually!
Had no problem taking the running board down and inspecting the components.
After reinstalling the running board. i was quite happy that it was deploying again.
But after the third door close cycle, i realized the the Running Board was operating in reverse.
When i OPEN the door, the board folds UP. When i CLOSE the door, the board folds DOWN.
Tried disconnecting and reconnecting the power cable to the motor to see if it needed a "reboot".
but no luck.
Took the board down again and tried to wind the motor to put the board in the opposite direction in which i installed it after taking it down the first time.
What should i look at to correct this problem?
New User
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Retractable Running Board problem
Hi guys,
I have a 2010 F150 Harley Davidson edition.
It has the retractable running boards. They worked perfect for the first couple of years, then they became a little temperamental in the icy winters of the northern midwest. Now, after five years, the drivers side has become very reluctant to retract even in the summer.
I have tried WD40 and other methods to fix it, but to no avail. I am very thankful to both vipersinu2 and dalesatter. I will be following vipersinu2's directions. I'll let you know what the outcome is.
Thanks everyone.
I have a 2010 F150 Harley Davidson edition.
It has the retractable running boards. They worked perfect for the first couple of years, then they became a little temperamental in the icy winters of the northern midwest. Now, after five years, the drivers side has become very reluctant to retract even in the summer.
I have tried WD40 and other methods to fix it, but to no avail. I am very thankful to both vipersinu2 and dalesatter. I will be following vipersinu2's directions. I'll let you know what the outcome is.
Thanks everyone.
New User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Poland
Hi,
I have issue with my 2003 Navi running board, driver side.
When I open door the running board opens, closes and openes again. When I close door it closes, opens and closes again.
I have a feeling sometimes during driving it opens and hides... any sugesion? control module?
I have issue with my 2003 Navi running board, driver side.
When I open door the running board opens, closes and openes again. When I close door it closes, opens and closes again.
I have a feeling sometimes during driving it opens and hides... any sugesion? control module?