Hydraulic Leveler Not Retracting All the Way

Gjac wrote:
What kind of jacks do you have? HWH? Straight acting, kick down?

Ah HWH straight down. thanks everybody

Ours don't act well when they have been through dust while parked. Winds move dust that you may not see around at ground level.
When we were in La we had high winds much of the time. When we tried to retract the jacks they squeaked jerked and squawked and didn't want to come up. That and the awnings and everything else were misbehaving.
Crawled underneath and using silicone spray sprayed them down real well and wiped around the seal area with silicone soaked paper towels and then dry towels. Waited a bit to make sure it all evaporated to retract and all was well.
The manual confuses me. It said not to use grease, which makes sense but there are jerks at the seal area. Where we keep it greases them well now and wipes away any excess grease anywhere.

We lube the zerks once a year and spray and wipe down the cylinders with silicone every time they have been down for any length of time. Run them out to the top, wipe them down and try again.

Canadian Rainbirds wrote:

et2 wrote:
Extend them. Put some transmission oil on a rag and apply to the exposed shaft. Try retracting again and see if it improves. Check for obstructions. Last would be maybe a new spring is needed.

Oil can attract and hold dust. Silicone spray is better. Extend as said above, spray, clean with a clean lint free cloth, spray once more and try to retract. If it is the spring, (our right rear has been weak for years) you can assist it up with a long lever.

That is what is in the hydraulic chamber to begin with - transmission fluid. Many manufactures say specifically not to use silicon spray as it can react with the seal. Just apply and wipe off.

What kind of jacks do you have? HWH? Straight acting, kick down?

You should have HWH jacks. Go to the TOP of the offending jack and you will see a 2 wire quick connect. That is the DOWN light magnetic switch. DISCONNECT that switch and the light will go off. You can also Start the engine, put the system is STORE, take 6 or 8 foot 2x4 as a lever and you can lever the offending jack fully up. Since you have a 2008 model, the problem is defective inner jack seals and that jack will need rebuilt or replaced. Doug

Mine had to lubed every 6-12 months with the zerk fittings. I carried a 2x4 with holes and a bar to raise them until the next stop and lube. DW would push the button while I applied upward force on the jack. Maybe something similar would work for you.

Hydraulic levelers are being pulled up by the springs , but the engine must be OFF and you must be in ACC to have the valves open for
the hydraulic fluid to return to the tank when you press Store.
Siggy

bring all the levelers up and fill the tank for them. the alarm is saying you are low on fluid

et2 wrote:
Extend them. Put some transmission oil on a rag and apply to the exposed shaft. Try retracting again and see if it improves. Check for obstructions. Last would be maybe a new spring is needed.

Oil can attract and hold dust. Silicone spray is better. Extend as said above, spray, clean with a clean lint free cloth, spray once more and try to retract. If it is the spring, (our right rear has been weak for years) you can assist it up with a long lever.