how to remove 07 Denali Power Running Board Motors

[JesseJ21]

Sorry to bring back a really old post, but this is my exact problem and I was hoping to ask the OP about it or someone in a similar situation.

I have an 07 Denali XL. My issue is exactly the same, as described above. 50% of the time my driver side running board will retract normally. The other times, it will try to retract, seem to hit resistance, and give up.

I know in the final post above you mentioned turning the aluminum block around. I am not sure if that is because it was in backwards? Or was it a mistake when you put it in? Was it worn out?

I am wondering if my problem might simply be corrosion in the hinges. You mentioned removing the rear hinge and cleaning it up. If your whole setup was original do you think your problem was just the rear hinge? or did the motor have to be replaced either way?

 

[t69chevelle]

Hey no worries, yes I had the Block in Backwards. That had nothing to do with them not working, it will likely be the Motors if it is only opening or closing sporadically. When I finally got the Motors out I ended up breaking the Hinges as they are Cast Aluminum (a lot of that is because of the Salt that is used on the roads here in Southwestern Ontario, Canada) I am sure that someone with a Southern States Truck will likely not run into that problem. Anyway after buying both L & R Motors and L & R Front Hinges they still were struggling to open and close, so I removed the Rear Hinges and they were very stiff to move. I soaked them in a Bucket of Degreaser overnight and they loosened up.
So my advice would be to remove the rear hinges and try them to see if they move easily, if they are really stiff then try soaking them, it is always easier to start with lowest cost fix first. Even if that does not work you now know that they are right. My guess is that motors are going to fail, it makes sense as everytime you open those doors that motor is going through it entire range of motion.
Also make sure you keep track of which ay the Aluminum Block sits as if you get it wrong the Bolt that holds the Block in will snap, I actually went out and bought some Grade 8 Bolts as they are very small and there is a lot of pressure on them. Try to take the motors out with the Boards in the Down Position and unplug them when they are down, if you let the motor run without the Hinge attached it will turn further then needed and then you have to try to get that right spot where everything lines up, it can be very trying and frustrating.
Let me know how you make out, remember that the 2 motors and 2 hinges were almost $1900.00can, if you can get the motors out of the Front Hinges without breaking them you are way ahead. If you live where there is winter then they are likely like mine and frozen into the Aluminum Hinges.

 

[JesseJ21]

Thanks, I live in NJ its still cold here. I will wait until its a little warmer and I will try it again. I am hoping its just the hinge. If I give it the slightest pressure with my foot when it closes, it will retract with no issue. We shall see. Thanks again. I will let you know how I make out.

 

[JesseJ21]

Thanks, I live in NJ its still cold here. I will wait until its a little warmer and I will try it again. I am hoping its just the hinge. If I give it the slightest pressure with my foot when it closes, it will retract with no issue. We shall see. Thanks again. I will let you know how I make out.

 

[t69chevelle]

Not to be all doom and gloom but that is how mine where, it doesn't help when they get snow and ice on them either. I put a pair of cheap mud flaps on mine, I bought the cheapest flattest ones I could find and I used the 2 lower inner fender liner bolts and attached it so that the Running boards can move and they just lightly rub on the backside of the flaps. I found it keeps some of the large stuff off of the boards, I figured anything to make the Boards lighter so that the motors are not lifting the Boards and Ice with Snowe build up. Wait for the better weather.

 

[KC_JAKE]

Wow, I was thinking of changing out ours on our 07' but it sounds like it's not worth it

 

[PlanningDev]

My running board on the passenger side is making a weird creaking/cranking noise when it goes up and down. It still goes up and down but there is a loud grinding kind of sound at the end of the rotation of the shaft. Even with the running board off I still hear the sound where the motor is. So I decided to try and get the motor out and replace it.

Ok, so I have taken out the 3 bolts holding the motor and the 1 bolt holding the hinge to the shaft where the aluminum block is. The motor doesn't even budge at all by hand. So I got the hammer and tried hitting the end of the shaft that is sticking through the front of the hinge. Nothing so far. Before I go any further are there any other bolts, or pins I need to remove? How do you get that aluminum block out? What eventually broke the motor free for you guys? Ive tried wd40 and all kinds of other stuff. How hard should I try to hit the shaft or the motor housing to get it free from the hinge? Any specifics on methods you used to back the motor out would be awesome!

 

[M3kanic]

From what other people have post in the past. It is a complete pita. From what I have read they took the whole assembly off of the truck and did it on the bench, and it took a LOT of penetrating fluid and hammers.