Power running board stuck

[19ExpMaxPlatYYC]

I've a driver's side running board stuck in the out position. I've read all the posts and watched the videos and fought it with four cans of penetrating oils and lubricants with little success. The best I was able to get was a little bit of retraction with some help in the form of a push in when the retraction was happening.

I'm a bit stumped because the pins are literally glowing and uncorroded, there wasn't really any buildup visible before the cleaning process, basically I don't believe the issue is in the articulating supports, it seems to be in the motor or the rod drive that actuates the boards. But, that doesn't appear to be the solution on the articles and videos.

Ideas?

 

[duneslider]

it all needs lubed and cleaned, including the rods. You need to get them moving up and down and spraying them. Some have reported bad motors though, so if the motor is bad that is an issue too.

 

[Polo08816]

If a power running board failed outside of warranty, I would just replace it with a fixed running board like a Go Rhino.

 

[Hellwig]

If a power running board failed outside of warranty, I would just replace it with a fixed running board like a Go Rhino.

To be honest, so far I still do not understand what extra convenience or benefits that a pair of power running boards can provide, compared with fixed boards.

 

[bzav]

After several months of use I determined that my power running board didn't help me and when they got dirty, my pants got dirty. I also worried about passengers getting their shins bonked when they deployed unexpectedly as I opened my door.
That said, my wife loves them. But she only occasionally ride in my Expedition. So it is nice to have the option to use them only when my wife is riding.

 

[duneslider]

To be honest, so far I still do not understand what extra convenience or benefits that a pair of power running boards can provide, compared with fixed boards.

The fixed ones hang down lower and when I had my 2019 they did make contact with the ground a few times, nothing crazy and no damage in my case but they did make contact where the fold up boards don't hang down. I did like the fixed running boards though.

 

[Hellwig]

The fixed ones hang down lower and when I had my 2019 they did make contact with the ground a few times, nothing crazy and no damage in my case but they did make contact where the fold up boards don't hang down. I did like the fixed running boards though.

You remind me that I had an exactly same situation when I was driving a rental expedition xlt on the Long Canyon trail of Moab area. A rock scratched the bottom of the right running board with loud sound. I immediately stopped the vehicle and checked. Nothing serious, and it was even hard to see the very small scratch if I didn't know something actually happened.

 

[duneslider]

Yep, I have hit things in moab as well as when dipping through mud holes. Mud does a number to that felt under engine guard thing. I really should get skid plates.

 

[Woodwolf]

To be honest, so far I still do not understand what extra convenience or benefits that a pair of power running boards can provide, compared with fixed boards.

Well, going over a washed out culvert will tell you instantly if you have a fixed or retractable running board

 

[Fizzy]

My passenger side power running board is a pain in the ass. It seizes up from grime and dirt. Now it's seizing up due to the cold. This current cold snap (-45c / -49f) has seen it freeze in the open position. The drivers side however never skips a beat.

This is the video I used on YouTube. Ever since I did that, it goes up and down like that's it's actual job... which it is. Expedition sat outside in -35c yesterday all afternoon, and the board flew down when I opened the door.

Didn't use the Mopar spray - just an entire can of WD40, and an entire can of Fluid Film. You have to force the board up and down with your hands to free it up and work the fluids in. I must have opened and closed the door 200 times. Whole cans of spray. No half measures.

 

[SteveMax15]

I spray mine with “Garage door lubricant” which penetrates into the moving parts and leave a light grease behind. I live in rainy Seattle and one side starts sticking every 6 mo or so.

 

[loulblades]

When I bought my 2018, one of the requirements was retractable running boards. Since previous trucks did not have them, some of the older members of my family had trouble getting in. Also since we run this thing in the woods during hunting season I like the boards being up higher. One of my previous truck's fixed running boards were somewhat rusted and got torn off in the woods.

Mine do seem to stick now and again and I do my best to keep them clean by running them through the auto car wash with undercarriage wash on and boards out. When that didn't do it, I also followed the procedure from a video that another poster put up (cleaning, wire brush, WD-40 and Fluid Film). The boards were working better than ever until this weekend and we were running through the mud, then temp went to 7 and the mud froze. So at the moment my driver's side board is stuck out. Once it gets above freezing I will clean up.

I know they are extra work but I would have a rough time giving up my retractable running boards.

 

[Tiger Bob]

I don't do any off roading, so I view these as a cash cow for Ford, prone to breakdown. There should be an option to drive with the boards down in a fixed position. For those who drive thru all kinds of rough terrain, I can understand the threat of damage. My previous SUV, a Yukon, had the deployable boards, but, when they started to act up, I just drove with them down from then on. GM provided this as an option. Problem solved. Since I need these for my elderly wife to be down in my Expy, I hit all the hinges with rust penetrator followed by WD40 followed by fluid film. I do this religiously every 2 to 3 months and run it thru the car wash with undercarriage rinsing if exposed to a lot of salt, mud, and other road debris. So far, so good, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[Woodwolf]

To be honest, so far I still do not understand what extra convenience or benefits that a pair of power running boards can provide, compared with fixed boards.

The first time you get hung up on a partially exposed culvert you wish for retractable running boards.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

There should be an option to drive with the boards down in a fixed position

I don't know about other models, but my 011 EL has that option in it's settings menu, and works quite well, unless the boards are janked up with mud, rust, corrosion etc

 

[coxwain]

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[Going_Going_Gone]

Power steps extend to a more accessible height. Great for small kids and short spouses. I always found that the fixed steps were set too high, probably to prevent someone having their foot slip between the bar and the pinch weld and losing their balance--either seriously abrading a shin or possibly breaking it.

 

[bb37]

Great for small kids and short spouses.

Or, short, fat old men with bad knees.

 

[Ugh_J]

To be honest, so far I still do not understand what extra convenience or benefits that a pair of power running boards can provide, compared with fixed boards.

The power running boards commonly found on these vehicles typically stick down quite a bit lower and farther out away from the truck. It helps a lot in parking lots when kids that can't drive park too close to you so you can't open the door very far. Also helps if you have bad knees/back or other mobility issues. Women have told me how nice they are when wearing skirts, too, so there's that. Think of it like having the first step on a set of stairs be 50% higher than the others: yes, it's functional but not very comfortable.

 

[SilverStealth]

I don't know about other models, but my 011 EL has that option in it's settings menu, and works quite well, unless the boards are janked up with mud, rust, corrosion etc

@Tiger Bob Yeah, this. Settings menu should have an option to keep them deployed. Even the aftermarket boards have an always-deployed setting.