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Janss's avatar
Janss
Explorer II
Mar 12, 2017

HWH Jack problem

Right front jack keeps slowly retracting....like 1 inch after 7-10 days. Happened multiple times. Recently we went away for 6 weeks and when we returned this jack and the left rear jack were both no longer touching the ground. (Left rear just raised due to right front of rig lowering.)

I don't see any obvious fluid leak by the solenoids, nor on the jack foot pad nor on the ground. Any ideas what could be causing this?
  • Janss wrote:
    Right front jack keeps slowly retracting....like 1 inch after 7-10 days. Happened multiple times. Recently we went away for 6 weeks and when we returned this jack and the left rear jack were both no longer touching the ground. (Left rear just raised due to right front of rig lowering.)

    I don't see any obvious fluid leak by the solenoids, nor on the jack foot pad nor on the ground. Any ideas what could be causing this?

    typically a bad solonoid. fluid may be keaking back into the tank/reservoir and not onto the ground or you may find tge leak in one of the storage bays (that happened to us).
  • That happened to us when the fluid was slightly low, but not low enough to set off our alarm. Filled (don't overfill) and cycles jacks up and down a couple time with a final fill and no more problem.
  • If NO leaks on the ground. Then that Jack solenoid is leaking internally. Replace it. Doug
  • doxiemom11 wrote:
    That happened to us when the fluid was slightly low, but not low enough to set off our alarm. Filled (don't overfill) and cycles jacks up and down a couple time with a final fill and no more problem.


    Sorry, This could NEVER cause a Hydraulic Jack to retract. Low fluid cannot cause a jack to retract, period. Doug
  • Read sometime/somewhere that these jacks need to be deployed at least an inch or so to keep pressure. Perhaps Doug can comment on this but I have been in the habit of making sure when I use the jacks that I "use" them instead of just touching the ground.
  • Pirate wrote:
    Read sometime/somewhere that these jacks need to be deployed at least an inch or so to keep pressure. Perhaps Doug can comment on this but I have been in the habit of making sure when I use the jacks that I "use" them instead of just touching the ground.


    NOT touching the ground will not cause a jack to partially retract. The fluid extends the cylinder. If you stop at any time, the jack still has the fluid that extended it that far. I always like to ask. WHERE did you read that? So much misinformation out there. Doug
  • Thanks everyone. Didn't know a solenoid can leak internally. Actually had that same jack solenoid changed a few years ago. Guess they don't make 'em as good as they used to.
  • Almost positive it is a solenoid. Look at all the hoses for any fluid that may have leaked or a puddle somewhere. If not, there is a weak seal and it will retract like that.