HELP! AMP Powersteps Install - Motors won't seat?

papageoff · December 1, 2018

I got some amp powersteps off amazon this week and just set to installing them. I'm trying to attach the motors to the brackets and it seems like the axle on the motor won't seat into the hole in the bracket. I'm pretty sure that the interference fit will bind the motor and lock it up. Also, there's 0 grease on these gears/motors. Should I add some lithium or something?

papageoff · December 1, 2018

I got one in place by playing musical motors but this bracket just won't let the motor seat.

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diyer2 · December 1, 2018

Without more data, like pictures how can we help you?

Try calling the manufacturer.

papageoff · December 1, 2018

Nothing much you can do to help at this point. This thing is not gonna fit. You can see the marring on both surfaces.

I tried calling. They aren't open until Monday.

My choices are to wait until Monday for them to either tell me to ream it out or mail a new one or just break down and ream it out and hope I don't screw up the aluminum.

...Patience is not my strong suit. [emoji19]

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Edited December 1, 2018 by papageoff
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B R A D · December 1, 2018

How much did it lack being seated? Wouldn't take too much to drill it out and I would most definitely put a little grease on the cogs. Worst case would be it needing to be seated to the point of the gear getting into the aluminum cap.

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Jerry's Denali · December 1, 2018

No grease needed, that will just be a magnet for dirt/debris.

Every pair I have ever installed (7) has had a little more interference there than I like.

On all but 1, just assembled and torqued the bolts down evenly and they work fine. AMP Research has an excellent "no questions asked warranty" on these things.

The last pair I installed on my 2019 was really tight so I did use some emory cloth and "clearanced" it a little bit.

Just refrain from the grease as much as it hurts.

I have a set on a 2014 SLT that has been put through everything (290,000 miles) and they work perfectly everytime.

papageoff · December 1, 2018

1 hour ago, B R A D said:

How much did it lack being seated? Wouldn't take too much to drill it out and I would most definitely put a little grease on the cogs. Worst case would be it needing to be seated to the point of the gear getting into the aluminum cap.

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At first it wouldn't go in there at all. With a little "persuasion" it went in a few mm. After futzing around with it, I was able to get it to go all the way in, but it's probably really tight. I can't really verify since the motor is so stiff and I can't move forward hooking it up until the weather clears. I spent so long dealing with that, I missed my window before the rain set in. I really miss having a proper garage. But, the Blue Whale doesn't fit. :-/

35 minutes ago, jericbarg said:

No grease needed, that will just be a magnet for dirt/debris.

Every pair I have ever installed (7) has had a little more interference there than I like.

On all but 1, just assembled and torqued the bolts down evenly and they work fine. AMP Research has an excellent "no questions asked warranty" on these things.

The last pair I installed on my 2019 was really tight so I did use some emory cloth and "clearanced" it a little bit.

Just refrain from the grease as much as it hurts.

I have a set on a 2014 SLT that has been put through everything (290,000 miles) and they work perfectly everytime.

10-4 on the grease, I wasn't sure if I should or not. I expected to see it, but given the environment I can see why not to have it. It wasn't in the instructions, either.

Thank you for the info about your experience. I've played with my drill bit in there by hand enough that it was able to go in, but just barely. we'll see how it does. How tight did you make those bolts? The threadlocker on them surpassed the 46 in-lbs the instructions called for long before they were seated. I just kinda snugg'd them up.

I have the double cab and also just finished the cuts on the boards. That was the part I was most worried about and it came out fine. It took an hour... But, they came out looking good.

papageoff · December 1, 2018

The cuts are about as square as this hack with a saw could get them.

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Edited December 1, 2018 by papageoff
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papageoff · December 3, 2018

So I sucked it up, put on my big-boy pants and installed them. I'll have a list of tips for the next guy when I can get to the computer. Thanks for the help.

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Jerry's Denali · December 5, 2018

Those cuts are square enough, the endcap covers it.

The screws definitely get tight before seating, but they will go.

AMP really needs to address these issues as they have been prevalent since day one of their power steps era.

Good job!!!

papageoff · December 6, 2018

Those cuts are square enough, the endcap covers it.
The screws definitely get tight before seating, but they will go.

AMP really needs to address these issues as they have been prevalent since day one of their power steps era.

Good job!!!

Thanks. I'm loving them. Wife gets steps and I get the clean looks. :-)

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