Power Running Boards - 07 and Later

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MindyMark

New member
I need some help with the power running boards on my 09 Navigator. I have found a ton of info on the pre 07 running board issues (which were a different design) but very little on hte 07 and later. The driver side running board started making a god awful noise and not really moving up or down. I just got around to removing it the entire running board today because I couldn't figure out how to remove just the motor.

Is there a procedure hiding out there on how to remove the motor from the running board assembly?

And why in the world are these motors $650 or more?
 
driller

driller

El Presidente
Power Running Board Motor

Removal and Installation

1. The Power Running Board (PRB) motor is serviced by installing a new PRB front bracket assembly.
Click to expand...
That explains why it costs $650. :eek:

Basically the system consists of the step assembly (running board), the front bracket with motor and the rear bracket. The step assembly is bolted to each bracket with 2 bolts each. The brackets are bolted to the body with 4 bolts each. Removal consists of removing the step assembly (from the brackets), unplugging the PRB motor electrical connector and then removing the PRB bracket 2 upper and 2 lower bolts and the bracket assembly.
 
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M

MindyMark

New member
Well, that's interesting and explains why I can't take it apart. However, what about the painted part? I'm not sure it comes out either....if it doesn't come out, does that mean I need to get it painted?Lastly, are the aftermarket motors just the motor? I ask because none of the aftermarket pictures actually show the running board.
 
driller

driller

El Presidente
MindyMark said:
Thanks, since I don't have a manual yet, I'm guessing you are going to post it for me? :)
Click to expand...
Sorry I missed that. I'll take a pic and post it.

MindyMark said:
I just re-read this, looks like the brackets come off the steps. I will see if I can figure that out.
Click to expand...
Yes, on the 2010 model at least, you unbolt the step from the brackets. Two bolts each bracket from the underside.
 
M

MindyMark

New member
Well guys, I have learned A LOT about these running boards since first posted this, and they are finally fixed today.

The $650 price I mentioned earlier was for the short wheel base, which has different brackets than the long wheel base. Dorman make the $650 part, but it's only for the short wheel base since it has the bracket attached. Since I wasn't going to spend $1800 dealer price on a new running board motor and brackets, I've been searching the internet. I finally came across a site called runningboardmotor.com where I picked up a new motor for $370/shipped. I had a shop install the motor for me for about $175 and they work great now. (I will note the first two attempts failed, as the first time the board would not come up, found out that the position block was loose and it was sensing it as an obstruction. The second time the board was operating in reverse of how it should. I fixed that by taking the board back off, rotating the output shaft of the motor properly, and then remounting on the car. I made sure the motor thought it was in the "out" position when removed from the car, and ensured the motor was supposed to be "out" when I plugged it back in, ie had the door open and the battery plugged in.
 
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tixer

tixer

Lincoln Evangelist
oof! Yeah! that's brutal...

It's funny, because I still perceive this as being a pretty "new" technology..
 
M

MindyMark

New member
I've always thought the 07 and later design was more reliable than the pre-07 design. But I've seen a number of late model Navigators running around town with the boards in the down position, so maybe they aren't more reliable. Apparently they updated the motor in 2014, so maybe they "fixed" what was causing these motors to fail.
 
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