CORNER STEADY NOT DROPPING OR LIFTING TO FULL EXTE

[Brendan_374371709]

CORNER STEADY NOT DROPPING OR LIFTING TO FULL EXTENT.

I have a problem corner steady. It has always been difficult to raise and lower. On a recent trip I could only raise it half way. I heard it scrape against a speed ramp once since then. I've inspected it and cannot see any obvious damage but maybe I need to remove it to inspect properly.

How do I do this? Are there any instructions anywhere for doing this? Tried Youtube - no joy.
It looks like an AL-KO Standard Corner Steady Long.
Is it possible to rectify this problem by replacing the spindle only?
Any other possible remedies I could try?

 

[Jules_ht]

Have you properly greased the thread of the winders recently?

 

[tentmonster]

It's such a simple mechanism that there are two strong possibilities:

1 - the thread on the spindle needs greasing or has been damaged or has something in it preventing it going past a certain point like rust.
2 - One of the joints is either damaged or partly seized for some reason.

I would look at it with a torch, a can of WD 40 (or brake cleaner) for cleaning as well as a pot of grease. Can't be anything complicated unless for some reason it's bent.

TM

 

[chrisn7]

One of mine packed up winding recently, so I can tell you the cause. The threaded spindle passes through a similarly threaded block that is attached on each side by a self-tapper to the legs of the Y. This block is of cast metal and simply splits in half. The blocks are available via a certain auction site, or replace the whole leg, which is just 2 bolts.
Some have reported the nuts on the bolts having seized, and there may be no way of accessing the bolt heads, which are not captive, so they simply spin, although this did not happen to me.

Cause? Whilst geasing the spindle helps of course, it was the other pivot points on mine that had almost seized, so these are at least as important to maintain, so be warned..

A final point. Many of us are using electric drills for operating the legs, and It would be wise to experiment with the torques setting on the drill to avoid overloading the block.

 

[chrisn7]

So, have you solved your problem? It always good to know what your solution was for the benefit of anyone searching this in future...

 

[Brendan_374371709]

Many thanks for all the advice and apologies for tardy response. I got tied up doing some electrical work in the caravan and only got around to looking at the corner steady today. Problem solved.

I had already degreased, wire brushed and regreased the spindle before my post (forgot to mention that in first post) so I thought something must have got bent when I scraped a speed ramp. Before resorting to removing the steady, I "attacked" all other bolts at pivot joints and the head nut at top of spindle with a wire brush and can of WD 40 as suggested. Worked a treat. Leg is now going up and down like new. Must do the same with the other three steadies tomorrow as a preventative measure.

Should I now spray some teflon or silicone grease on all these pivot points or is that likely to attract a build up of dust, grit, etc?

Again apologies for slow response and thanks for all the advice and replies.

 

[Damian]

Spray the moving parts with motorcycle chain oil, it is the best to use.

 

[Brendan_374371709]

Thanks Damian. I think motorcycle chain oil is teflon or silicone based. My local bicycle shop, which is quite upmarket will only sell teflon based and silicone based chain oil / grease.

Thanks to all for the great advice. Saved me a difficult job removing the steady.

 

[Brendan_374371709]

I think motorcycle chain oil is teflon or silicone based.

Don't know where I got 'silicone' from. I meant to say "teflon or lithium based".