Power Running boards

[VBreithaupt]

First of all, I love my running boards. I drove a new EXPY with fixed ones and although they are low maintenance I like how the power ones come down a little further, and they are cool! Unfortunately cool wears off when it seems like after going down any muddy, dusty dirt road for extended time, they start acting up. I end up having to assist them with my foot or hand, power wash and lube them up again. I feel I'm either not using the right stuff or not getting in the right area with the lube. Are others battling this issue as well? Does anyone have the "Ford engineer advice" of where is the most important areas to lube up and what product seems to be the best protect to use. I have pretty much used everything out there with same results. Maybe I have to come to the conclusion the "cool" ones need to stay on paved roads. Fire Away!!!

 

[Left Coast Geek]

I do note the "FX4" models, which are equipped for mild off-road use, have fixed steps. I tried and tried to find a Expedition FX4 but gave up, zero on the used market anywhere in Northern California for 6 months.

 

[Going_Going_Gone]

Move south, problem solved.

 

[VBreithaupt]

But the long cold winter are so beautiful

 

[sixstring]

If you go down muddy dusty dirt roads extensively you are going to get crap on your power running board assemblies. The power boards are for the soccer moms and old farts.

 

[Left Coast Geek]

And my 5'2" 68 yr old wife with bad knees....

 

[Woodwolf]

first time out in heavy, wet snow slush yesterday in Ontario. Coming home running boards would lower but not close anymore as safety stopped retracting due to slush build up. Looks like I have to disable them for the winter, not sure in retracted or closed position. I am, actually using them as an old man with bad knees. LOL,
but seriously, the back 2/3 of the boards should be designed with some kind of mesh or grate to prevent slush and mud to build up. I installed Weathertech mud flaps in the summer, anticipating winter problems, but they don't seem to be of any help

 

[jjscsix]

If you go down muddy dusty dirt roads extensively you are going to get crap on your power running board assemblies. The power boards are for the soccer moms and old farts.

Hey, I resemble that statement! But let’s put it into perspective. Without us old folks and soccer moms there would not be any SUVs

 

[nationalgallery]

I have a 10 min. drive on a hilly winding gravel/dirt road to and from my house, and before this expedition I had 3 Navigators that had power running boards. The road gets muddy/snowy/icy. At least once a week I lower the running boards and hose out all the dirt/sludge/ect. from the hinges and motor (takes about 2 min.), and periodically spray thoroughly with silicone WD-40. The only time I've had any problems is when I got lazy with one of the Navigators and didn't do that regular cleaning.

 

[2018ExpyPlatinum]

The power boards are for the soccer moms and old farts.

Hey! I resemble that!

Anyway, I was also concerned having power running boards. I always wash them out when I wash/hose down the truck. I also put mud flaps on the front. All that seems to help. I did some research several years ago. What I found was some sources said DO NOT use WD-40 as it will actually attract dirt. Not sure if that's true, but I do think it holds some true based on where I've used it. Through research, I found and use "Dupont non-stick DRY film lubricant". It's a dry, non oily coating and repels dirt. I'm not saying it works, but I've never had an issue. My drivers side sometimes delays coming up, so maybe it's time for a good cleaning.

For those of you who deal with that white shit, I'd keep the boards up. I just don't think there's really much you can do about snow and slush build up.....other than move. My old Silverado with fixed boards and mud flap would get caked with stuff.

 

[nationalgallery]

I did some research several years ago. What I found was some sources said DO NOT use WD-40 as it will actually attract dirt. Not sure if that's true, but I do think it holds some true based on where I've used it. Through research, I found and use "Dupont non-stick DRY film lubricant".

I've seen that said about WD-40; I use the silicone WD-40 and it doesn't appear to attract/retain dirt—and I drive thru lots of it, and mud as well. That DuPont dry film lubricant looks interesting though, I might give that a try.

 

[Glen B Ashcroft]

i installed weathertech mud flaps up front, they really prevent tires from through crap up on them, also put on back to prevent rear tires from through rocks on splask panel and dinging it up

 

[Gmas15]

There are some good videos out there that describe how to remedy. I'm in New England and mine seized up about two years in. I sprayed on a ton of deruster, then powewashed, then lubricated with liquid film, or something similar. Haven't had issues since - about a year and half later.

 

[DavidCola]

Yes, here is a pretty good video on the maintenance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaAvrIoViK0
For the record, I live in the south and still have this problem!

 

[viper2017]

Watch Fordtech Makaloco Channel on You tube and he has a procedure that I followed on my 2017 and haven't had any issues since with the power steps.

 

[byathread]

I have a 10 min. drive on a hilly winding gravel/dirt road to and from my house, and before this expedition I had 3 Navigators that had power running boards. The road gets muddy/snowy/icy. At least once a week I lower the running boards and hose out all the dirt/sludge/ect. from the hinges and motor (takes about 2 min.), and periodically spray thoroughly with silicone WD-40. The only time I've had any problems is when I got lazy with one of the Navigators and didn't do that regular cleaning.

Anytime I know that I've mucked them up a lot, excessively and they didn't then get a highway speed heavy rain bath shortly thereafter, I deploy during a wash/rinse thoroughly (just a hose/no pressure washer) and then pick your poison for lube - don't be shy/liberally apply. No issues here aside from a failed deploy or three in the lifetime of mine. Knock on wood hasn't seemed to have happened since I've done this rinse/lube cycle more routinely as needed. FWIW, IMO, I see these as needing replaced if you like the convenience of them at some point (I'd think 8 years/winters they owe you nothing) just given the salt beating they take here in PA...

 

[haviland]

I'm on my 4th Expedition, all with power running boards and lived in Vermont the entire time. Once in a while they'd get stuck and I had to provide a little manual help to get them up.

Not really a problem.

 

[2018ExpyPlatinum]

Yes, here is a pretty good video on the maintenance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaAvrIoViK0
For the record, I live in the south and still have this problem!

That's a really good video....Thank you! Guess I have another Spring project. Mine are working good, though the drivers side so slow sometimes.

 

[Nealg]

Mine do the same thing (2013 Limited). Passenger side always works cuz its rarely used, but driver's side is slower always, and in winter they always go down, but even just cold will cause them to start retracting then give up and stay down. I do my best to keep them clean and liberally spray WD-40 on the pivot points, and so far I have not had to replace anything. I would be hesitant to leave them up all winter for fear it would be worse if they didn't get some exercise for extended periods.

 

[duneslider]

Once they start acting up, it takes a bit of work to get them moving well again. I had to pressure wash, spray liberally all movement points with penetrating spray, use them for a few days, pressure wash again, spray with penetrating spray, etc. After a bit they started working reliably and then I washed them good again and sprayed them with a silicon lube. They have been working good for a bit now but winter is hitting now, so I suspect they will start getting gunked up a bit. I really think that these need to be cleaned well regularly and lubed regularly. Fluid film is not a popular thing in my area but I have wondered if that would be a good thing to do on these in the winter.

Interestingly enough, my issues started mid-late summer after just dusty road driving that didn't include much wet and muddy driving.

WD-40 isn't a good lubricant, its not super good at much of anything to be honest. Slightly better than nothing but not by much.