A direct replacement cross shaft assembly for Lippert 2x2 through-frame electric slide-out systems. Two telescopic square steel tubes adjust to your exact slide width and tac-weld to hold their set length -- giving you a solid, properly sized shaft without cutting custom stock or sourcing raw materials separately.
The cross shaft is the mechanical backbone of a through-frame electric slide-out. It transfers rotational force from the motor across the full width of the slide room, keeping both rack-and-pinion sides synchronized. When a shaft bends, cracks, or strips its welds, the slide room can rack (twist out of square), bind, or refuse to travel at all.
Lippert part 157523 replaces the factory cross shaft with the same telescopic two-tube design used in original production. The outer tube is 1 inch square stock; the inner tube is 13/16 inch square and slides inside to let you dial in the correct extended length for your specific slide room width before welding.
Inner tube slides inside outer tube so the assembly extends to match your slide width. No cutting required before setting final length.
Each tube is 6 feet long. Combined, the assembly can reach widths up to approximately 8 ft 9 in extended, keeping plenty of overlap for a safe weld.
Uses 1/4 in x 2 in Grade 5 bolts for securing drive components to the shaft -- the correct fastener spec for this system.
Square cross-section prevents rotation between inner and outer tubes during slide operation, transmitting full torque without slippage.
This assembly requires tac welding once the desired extended length is set. Welding locks the inner tube to the outer tube and is the only approved method for fixing final length -- clamps or set screws are not a substitute.
This cross shaft assembly is designed for Lippert 2x2 through-frame electric slide-out systems. These are the horizontal-beam slide systems where the drive shaft passes through the RV floor frame between the two rack-and-pinion units. Verify your system type before ordering -- this part does not apply to rack-and-pinion slide systems that use a single-side motor or to Schwintek in-wall slide systems.