Forum Discussion

TEO's avatar
TEO
Explorer
Dec 18, 2013

HWH Slide mechanism

2002 Winnebago Journey DL, Freightliner chassis, 350 HP CAT.
On the way through Mexico we encountered some very bumpy roads and the exhaust system came apart. The separation was right at the exhaust of the turbocharger and the hot gasses disintegrated the air line to the exhaust brake.It also charred the outer jacket on one of the hydraulic lines going to the rear slide. After a while, the front part of the rear slide would edge out slowly after a number of miles on the rough roads. just a touch on the retract rocker and it would come back in.

We got to the campground two weeks ago and when I went to extend the rear slide, the front went all the way out, but the rear stopped with about two inches to go. Nothing I did with the switches made a difference and I eventually opened the valve release nut. The rear slid out easily.

OK, I repaired the exhaust and replaced the exhaust brake hose. However, I cannot get the slide to work. There is slide fluid leaking from someplace but I cannot determine where. I've been under, over, and around the site of the leak. I've had my wife try to operate the slide and can see no leakage, but half an hour later there is a puddle of oil under the transmission area. From what I can see, only a skinny boa constrictor could get to the site of the leak.

I'm almost 1800 miles from Texas and am looking for any advice, short of torching the camper and coming home in the Jeep.

Thanks for your attention.

Paul
Class A

5 Replies

  • TEO's avatar
    TEO
    Explorer
    Dec 19, 2013
    Thanks for the advice. I've already been in touch with HWH and a tech made a couple of suggestions, such as switching the hoses on the sync cylinder. Right now I'm taking a breather from working on it as I need some time to decompress. My main concern is not that the slide doesn't work properly, but that I can't get the slide back in. I opened the valve release nuts and the rear part of the slide will move, but the front part seems completely stuck. I cannot envision driving back to a service location in the states with the slide out. I will post more later when I have found a solution.

    Paul
  • wallynm's avatar
    wallynm
    Explorer
    Dec 18, 2013
    I would call HWH and ask for advice.

    HWH Corporation
    (On I-80, Exit 267 South)
    2096 Moscow Road
    Moscow, Iowa 52760

    Phone: (563)724-3396 or (800)321-3494
    Fax: (563)724-3408

    Business Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Central Time (M-F)

    Just a thought
  • smlranger's avatar
    smlranger
    Explorer
    Dec 18, 2013
    Paul, when I had the 02 Journey, one of the lines going to the rear slide mechanism got partially melted since Winne mounted it too close to the exhaust. I could see the line sitting on top of the frame rail above and near the muffler so you might check there. It was a long line that went from the ram all the way back to the pump, maybe 22'. I had a new line made up at a local auto parts store that had the equipment to make up hydraulic lines. It was a greasy, nasty job to replace.

    The other location for lines is in the space below the removable wood panel just under the foot of your bed (space behind your electrical panels). If you remove that panel at the top, you can easily see the main slide ram and the lines going to it. I don't think those would have been affected by your exhaust leak but you could still have a leak at one of those fittings.

    Good luck.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Dec 18, 2013
    The only realistic solution is to replace the hose. Due to the HWH (02 is the hose designation), hose on a slide room the LENGTH (exact) is critical to correct slide room operation. If you can determine which hose it is, there will be a length and AP number on both ends of that hose. That is how you determine the length for replacement. The other posters suggestion is not really feasable as the hose ID is extremely small. The system operates at 3000 psi. You can order the hose direct from HWH and have it shipped to your location. Doug
  • trop-a-cal's avatar
    trop-a-cal
    Explorer
    Dec 18, 2013
    I would push air through and then you will hear the leak. Stay away from the fluid as it's probably toxic. Then slide a smaller hose through the bigger one with some sealer around the smaller one so it sets up and seals the leak. Then give the sealer time to harden and then reconnect the line and add fluid.

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