AMP RESEARCH SIDE STEP MOTOR REPAIR | Retractable Truck Step | Toyota Tundra

Diving in to find the problem of a gear winding noise in the steps.
Amp Research retractable side steps installed on this 2018 Toyota Tundra, and other common trucks like Ford F350, F250, F150, Dodge Ram 3500, 2500, 1500, Chevrolet or GMC 3500, 2500, 1500, Superduty, Duramax.

[@highhook6543]

Thanks man! One of my motors took a crap after a month! Got the warranty motor back, no instructions, nothing, but the motor and hardware. Anyway, thanks dude, I took it apart easy enough, but the KEY, was cycling the motor to match the screw holes,,, that sucked, and it would have taken me for forever to figure out, still took about 15 minutes. I was installing it with the step down and the door OPEN, with the motor cycled down,, Magic I can't thank you enough!!!! 🤙🤙🤙

[@AdventureTEQ]

Heck yah! Great to hear it. 🙌🏻

[@thebigbail]

The trick to line up the gear when reinstalling the motor is to remove the motor housing, and use a small straight blade screwdriver to manually turn the end of the motor shaft until the screws line up with the holes. The motors re-phase themselves by the pressure cutout at the top and bottom of the cycles.

[@Usoul]

Great walkthrough especially the troubleshooting buddy, got a better idea now. Passenger side been goofy since recent rain

[@AdventureTEQ]

I still fight with these. In winter with slush all around they stop functioning properly. Mine are disabled from time to time by disconnecting power wire from main truck battery. A real PITA.

[@Clementcharles2009]

Thanks for the video. Mine did the same thing and this fixed it for now. I ended up using a piece of stainless strap that covers the two shafts and uses the screw right beside them to hold it. I believe it’ll have just enough pressure to keep this from happening again

[@AdventureTEQ]

Brilliant! Well done sir. 🙌🏻

[@tomduvoisin9987]

Excellent video..the drivers side on our 2019 Jeep did pretty much the same thing. Except the step is stuck in the up position..

[@AdventureTEQ]

Thanks a lot! Mine are an ongoing saga of maintenance, screeching, and general PITA. Not stoked about them.

[@sendtodh]

My driver side motor stopped working, but I wanted to note the motor has been on my 2013 Jeep Step driver side since 2013 and this is the first problem. New motor is about $118 and I’m thinking I’m just going to buy another one and let it do its thing for another 13 years. Thanks!

[@juanitoburrito2812]

If it was installed in 2013 you only got 9 years out of it. Your math is not right.

[@jdsolisOMM]

One spline giving all the heartache. Great video and diagnosis. Mine on my F250 is struggling to work in mud and rain. Once it dries it starts to work again. I’m assuming it’s a motor issue because it also doesn’t retract all the way up on the side that doesn’t have the gears, right under the passenger door. I’m going to use this video to diagnose as well. Thanks 🤝

[@AdventureTEQ]

🙌🏻

[@theredorealtor8039]

Thank you for the video, you did a good job. I’m going to tackle it when I have time, for now I’ve pulled the fuse and at least feel better that I can actually fix it myself or order the motor and replace that myself as well. Good job posting the videos, I need to do it too so I can “quit” my job but I absolutely hate filming and abhor doing anything on the computer like edit videos a well, but I’ve told myself I must do it so I can go move to Mexico 🤣

[@AdventureTEQ]

😆🤣

[@richardmiller4442]

After greasing and reassembly, the mounting holes did not align. On the end of the motor is a square hole in the shaft. It is a # S1 and by using my cordless drill on low speed, spinning the gear it did align the holes. Just make sure that the motor and the step are synced, like both in the up or down position. If not it will just trip as if something is in the way.

[@gregtracigoetz3646]

Hi this is Greg in Michigan 😎. I am thinking about adding these boards to my new / used 2018 4runner. I watched your video and my thoughts would be to take a thin metal washer and JB weld one side of it so only one side lays over the shaft hole and the other is welded onto the casing. This would stop the shaft from coming out and spin freely against the edge of the washer side covering the hole. I would do this to both sides as you know the drill....fix one side the other goes south on you!🤪😅. I had factory power running boards on a Escalade that would stick half way or just not come down or go back up. I took a can of penatrating oil and hit every hinge point on board fasteners and moving shafts ect. I had to do it a few times to let the oil work itself into where it needed it. It really helped ease the stress of the operation of these and load on motors. My motors eventually failed as they were older and the teacher I bought it from didn't use them leaving them locked in the up possition for years! 🤦. Use it, or loose it! Good video! Hope this idea may help prevent your shafts from popping back out if you want to try this!😎👍 Greg

[@AdventureTEQ]

Brilliant! I’ll try it next time and thanks for posting up! 🙌🏻

[@richardmiller4442]

I have had mine since about 2015 on my Jeep Wrangler. Passenger side that little square pin from motor to gear box broke. They don't stock those, ordered stock key from Amazon and had to sand it down just a hair. works fine. Drivers side started squeaking a lot. Seemed to be that gear that goes into the step mechanism. Disassembled gears and lubed them up.. You can buy the whole motor and gear box assembly on Amazon.

[@basing110]

What was the part your ordered called? That little square spring drive on mine broke as well and can’t find the part

[@elgoogler3581]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video helped me troubleshoot faster.

[@AdventureTEQ]

Happy to help! Hoping mine will last a while. Sad when you see guys’ with a broke down one. Saw one the other day and only one was actuator was up! Running board all crooked! 🤦🏼‍♂️😭

[@adriansanchez5962]

Very good video, thanks for sharing. Covered lots of detailed information.

[@2Timothy3END]

Now I have an understanding of what to expect.

[@luisjunior92]

Dude your the best

[@kevinwarren1776]

Thanks for he video, it helped me figure out what's going on with mine , lucky it wasn't the motor but the drive shaft on the hinge itself ,any tips on getting that part out?

[@AdventureTEQ]

A big hammer! 🔨 😆🤷🏼‍♂️

[@richierich4604]

I had those installed on my 2011 Tahoe and they have a five yr warranty on them so when they act up I just let them handle it until the warranty runs out

[@neilmiller6774]

Thank you so much !

[@darren808]

Thanks man. Video helped a lot and works fine now

[@AdventureTEQ]

🤘🏻

[@ronaldbennett1221]

You're amazing bro thank you

[@SerafinHernandez-r2p]

The spur gear that sticks out the motor assembly is what broke on mine because one day i opened my door and there was pieces of gear on the floor. I’m not sure if I have to replace the whole motor assembly.

[@AdventureTEQ]

Let us know if you get a replacement gear or mechanism. Or have to replace the whole thing.

[@Highvoltagetraffic]

Mine make the same clunk sound when upward motion stops. I’ve seen where the step motor operation is quiet on other trucks.

[@AdventureTEQ]

Sometimes mine clunks. Usually that sound isn’t present.

[@ap1hondaking]

Nice work

[@justme197511]

Come on Bosch! Step up your parts game, built in obsolescence is not excepted on Toyota vehicles.

[@CaptMaxADV]

LOLz

[@elpilotodeldesierto3113]

MIine started making noises after the California Hurricane 😂 I think there might be mud in there, but it's making of a noise like something is stuck not like a motor noise

[@richierich4604]

at least I'll know what to do when the warranty runs out

[@Th0rnz44]

Awesome video, thank you!

[@AdventureTEQ]

Hope it helps. Thanks! 🙌🏻

[@Th0rnz44]

@@AdventureTEQ where’d you get them step lights? :)

[@AdventureTEQ]

@@Th0rnz44 Sorry I missed the comment! They were already installed when I bought the truck. Figured they were included with the AMP kit, or are an option. Not sure!

[@Ahleen0]

Do you know how to fix the wedge of the running board I have Yukon 2014

[@AdventureTEQ]

I don’t have any experience with that.

[@RealGame101]

My step is stuck in the up position so i can't access the motor bracket. Removed the motor from the cover side and there's a broken wire smh

[@Ahleen0]

هل تعلم اين اجد التروس الداخليه لمحرك دعسه يوكن دينالي ٢٠١٤

[@AdventureTEQ]

Sorry but I can’t help ya! 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@noahenriquez3757]

Any idea how to get them to go down to work on them if they are stuck upright?

[@AdventureTEQ]

I don’t know for sure. Have you tried having them actuate downwards while standing on them?? When mine act up, like they have lately, if I actuate them (closing/opening door) and put enough force on them I can get them to go up or down. The motor lately is just too weak to overcome the resistance it’s experiencing.

[@noahenriquez3757]

Mine stopped deploying and is making a super loud noise. Sounds like something is stripped and spinning too fast. But I can’t get to access the motor mounting screws because it is stuck upwards. I have tried standing on it while I open the door but nothing happens.

[@tikitiki41]

These steps are hot garbage lately. I bought the XL's 2 years ago and 3 of the 4 motors stopped working, Good luck getting new motors under warranty by AMP Research, they will give you a run around asking for video proof then no answer.

[@AdventureTEQ]

I’m needing to overhaul the screeching mechanism still since last winter. Salt slushy environment will end these things in short order. There needs to be a competitor that makes a quality all fucking weather product. 🙄

[@shannonzittlow8462]

Only 122bucks for new Bosch motors online is nice to see

[@angljunior46]

Link?

[@shannonzittlow8462]

Amazon

[@luisvillarreal6259]

So if I understood right, the motor gear self adjusted itself after opening and closing the door several times or you manually adjusted it back into place?

[@luisvillarreal6259]

Nevermind. I answered my own question. I saw another video where they installed the whole system. The motor was mounted by holding the boards with one hand and aligning the holes from the motor to the folding hinges. The bolts were then installed by hand, then properly fastened. The final step was to close and open the door. The motors self adjusted to door and that was it. Hope this helps someone else.

[@AdventureTEQ]

Sounds right. Thanks for coming back and posting to help others! 🙌🏻

[@jck197]

Do you know the part number to replace the entire motor for your Tundra

[@lastofthefinest]

Mine is stuck inboard. How do I get it out?

[@AdventureTEQ]

I’d call their tech service line and ask them. I’m not sure!

[@La-bd2dc]

Does anyone know or seen a video on how to replace the Amp Research Motor Drive Shaft. Need help

[@AdventureTEQ]

I’m guessing that from some other commenters it is possible just to replace the motor. Are you saying that won’t solve your issue?

[@jck197]

Do you know the part number for the entire motor for your Tundra?

[@AdventureTEQ]

Sorry man I don’t. I’d imagine it could come up on Gooogle. Or their own customer service should be able to answer that. Is your motor shot? Was the label not visible with info on my video (I can’t recall…). Your motor has no labels to reference?

[@richardmiller4442]

@@AdventureTEQ I ended up ordering a square key stock from Amazon. Can't remember the size. I measured old one. Cut it and carefully filed 2 sides slightly. Still working fine. Later I'll check my Amazon orders

[@NicholasBijou]

What's the part number?

[@jpcheco]

Your video is supossed to be informative as well as instructive. Claiming that you do not know the cost of an item you are working on does not sound very positive (due diligence?), especially in this day and age. These steps are way over one thousand dollars, and over two thousand for the xl model recheck your Amazon source! (overpriced according to some youtubers) and short lived. Best wishes.

[@AdventureTEQ]

I didn’t read the rule book on how to satisfy every viewer of my content on KZbin. I make an effort. It helps people. If I had all the answers I’d try to give them, but instead I give my knowledge to the extent that I have it. Anyone else can Google search as easily as I can. These came on the truck, as I said. Sorry if it didn’t help you out, but I hope you have a great day otherwise. And thanks for stopping to make a comment. I’ll take it under consideration. ✌🏻

[@oldfarthacks]

All of these power running board have problems. Be they Amp, Ford or GM. In some cases, as in this one, it's the motor. In other cases, its the bushings in the hinges. If you have reworked your motors and are still having slow / stuck boards, then think about replacing. the bushings. I have a series on doing that in the stock Ford boards, located here. kzbin.info/aero/PLoz-2IH4A2KsZiDXB0f-hhKZtAzO_wuO_

[@RealGame101]

Yeah id rather have a fixed step than have these stupid issues