Power running board motor removal

[MxRacer965]

OK guys, need some advice...when deploying the running board on the drivers side squeaks. I can hose it down with tri flow, etc and get it to stop for a couple days then it comes back. So I figured I’d just take the 3 bolts and wedge on the motor shaft off, slide it out, grease it up, and put it back on. Pretty straight forward...I can do most all home repairs, rebuild motocross bike motors, do most car repairs myself, etc so this should be cake since it’s only got 4,500 miles on it and nothing is crusted together yet.

2 hex bolts no problem. Got to the 13mm and I can’t get a socket on it. The motor housing and bracket get in the way. I tried multiple different sockets and also tried metric and standard. No luck.

Anyone else delve into this?

Bolt I can’t get to circles in attached pic.



Aaron

 

[scottdm]

Have you tried getting to the bolt when the running board is deployed? Before you fight more with taking it apart maybe try spraying chain wax for bike/motorcycle chains. I’ve had good success on mine with DuPont chain saver wax based spray with Teflon. It’s nice because it flows into the crevices around the linkages and then sets up so it lubricates for a long time. I spray mine maybe once a year and live in an area where they spray brine on the roads in the winter and it seems to work well.

 

[MxRacer965]

Have you tried getting to the bolt when the running board is deployed?

yes, that isn’t the issue. The issue is the clearance between the bolt head and motor housing is too narrow. Same for the bracket and bolt head. The socket walls are simply too thick.

 

[scottdm]

Maybe a thin walled deep well socket is the ticket.

 

[scottdm]

I went out to the garage and was able to get a 6 sided 13mm short socket with a u-joint extension onto the bolt head. I updated my original reply and wondered if you have tried spray wax to lubricate the linkages instead of taking it all apart.

 

[Shaffer9]

I went out to the garage and was able to get a 6 sided 13mm short socket with a u-joint extension onto the bolt head. I updated my original reply and wondered if you have tried spray wax to lubricate the linkages instead of taking it all apart.

View attachment 35847

This is why this forum is great! What an awesome group to go out of the way to help.

 

[MxRacer965]

I went out to the garage and was able to get a 6 sided 13mm short socket with a u-joint extension onto the bolt head. I updated my original reply and wondered if you have tried spray wax to lubricate the linkages instead of taking it all apart.

View attachment 35847

thanks for checking. I went back out again to give it a go. I tried 12 point deep well, 12 point shallow, 6 point deep, 6 point shallow (all 3/8) and couldn’t even begin to catch the bolt head.

I grabbed a 6 point shallow 1/4” drive and could just barely catch the top of the bolt head, but not enough to do anything but slip off.

Yours a 4th gen? or earlier?

Here’s a better pic with the motor housing in the way.



And the 6 point I could just barely catch the top of the head with



I have already tried heavily lubricating. I’ve tried WD40, Maxima Chain Wax (motorcycle chain lube), ballistol, and tri flow. It’s the main motor shaft that seems to make the noise. I lubricate it heavily and make the board go in and out 20+ times and the noise goes away for a few days and comes right back. Which is why I wanted to lube the motor shaft with grease. A seemingly simple job isn’t quite what it seems...

 

[Zig10]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072V6JC52/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_F9lREb6X96363

Usually when all else fails I can get one of these into areas a regular socket won't go.

 

[MxRacer965]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072V6JC52/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_F9lREb6X96363

Usually when all else fails I can get one of these into areas a regular socket won't go.

I see the Tesla guys have a similar issue with a 13mm for a strut tower nut and someone recommended a similar brand. I ordered them. I’ll see how it goes. I can always use more tools!

 

[scottdm]

Hmmm. Same spot on my 2018. Maybe your socket is thicker or bolt is in a slightly different orientation. Maybe find a thinner walled socket.

 

[MxRacer965]

Hmmm. Same spot on my 2018. Maybe your socket is thicker or bolt is in a slightly different orientation. Maybe find a thinner walled socket.

View attachment 35850

Thanks for crawling down there twice now!

Bizarre. I see you have a Craftsman socket. I was using a craftsman as well. I also tried another brand I have with no luck.

13mm, right?

I’ll be at my parents tomorrow, I’ll see if my dad has different sockets to try as well.

 

[scottdm]

Hopefully something works. Noticed this slotted socket, but it only has an attachment for an impact driver. https://www.amazon.com/uxcell-Socke...rds=13mm+slotted+socket&qid=1588386856&sr=8-1

 

[MxRacer965]

I ordered the set that was recommended earlier. If I need to I’ll grind the OD down some I guess. Just didn’t want to ruin a newish craftsman. Harbor freight, sure...but I don’t have their sockets...

I can probably toss one in a lathe at my dads as well and just turn it down a bit too.

 

[Kmdcolo]

Dealer just replaced my motor under warranty. I thought
My issues were due to road grime and dirt causing noise and binding but it was a bad motor.

 

[Tys expedition]

I’d like to pull mine off. I wonder if raptor side steps would bolt up

 

[MxRacer965]

Dealer just replaced my motor under warranty. I thought
My issues were due to road grime and dirt causing noise and binding but it was a bad motor.

Mine work fine, just start to make noise on driver side unless I break out the spray lubricant every other day. I’ve narrowed it down to the motor shaft where it goes into the bracket furthest from the motor. If I spray that and work the running boards by repeatedly opening and closing the door it will go away for a day or two and then I have to do it all over again.

 

[MxRacer965]

Ok...had to put a socket in a lathe and turn it down just a touch, but got the 13mm out that was holding me up. Motor slid out no problem. I took the bushings out, cleaned everything up, then greased the motor shaft and bushings up and out it back together.

First time deploying it still screeched. Couple more times and it went away. If it comes back I guess it’s off to the dealer for a new motor...

 

[MxRacer965]

Update for anyone else that ends up here in the future...

I couldn’t get the noise to go away even after removing the motor, cleaning, and greasing everything. Tried the rear hinge as well and still making noise. Dealer replaced the motor and bracket/hinge today in about 45 min. Sounds fine now.