Biggest issue is keeping them clean and well lubed. I spray the hinges and motors with silicone after EVERY car wash and I wash my vehicle at least twice a week in the winter. I would try cleaning up the hinge and lubing it, you might find the motor is just fine, the hinge may just be so stiff the motor can't overcome the resistance. They are in fact set up to not open or close if the resistance exceeds a certain amount. This is a safety feature to avoid injury to users. I tested this with a piece of PVC pipe, board would start to deploy, hit pipe placed between board and ground, retracts. If you stand on the board, it won't retract. Stiff hinge has same effect.
I cannot see having to replace both the hinge and motor but mine is a 2500, so may be built different than yours. What the dealer is quoting is ridiculous. You can buy a complete set of boards for half that.
Canadian site, yours should be cheaper.
Power Running Board Motor Left - Mopar (68461581AA)
Genuine OEM Mopar Parts & Accessories - 68461581aa
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- MSRP: $630.00 CAD
- Discount: $168.84 CAD (26.8% off)
- Sale Price: $461.16 CAD
States Side Site.
Power Running Board Motor, Right part # 68461580aa Power Running Board Motor, Right. OE replacement product. Fits select 2019-2024 Ram 1500 vehicles.
www.moparfactoryparts.com
Power Running Board Motor, Right - Mopar (68461580AA)
2019-2024 Ram 1500 - 68461580aa
- MSRP: $464.00
- Discount: $149.86 (32.3% off)
- Sale Price: $314.14