Hydraulic Leveler Not Retracting All the Way

WD-40. Tried silicone, wiping tranny fluid, new springs, etc. WD-40 once a year and they work perfect and go up quick.

rgatijnet1 wrote:
If you are in a place with cooler temps, the jacks will retract slower then during the hot Summer. If you just cannot get it to retract all of the way, you can put a bottle or scissors jack underneath it and use that to push the cylinder up to a full retraction.

Cooler climate will indeed slow the retract time, but if you have to use any other means other than the springs to fully retract you have a defective jack. Doug

rv4jimnme wrote:

PF&PM wrote:
We struggled for a few years with one that wouldn't come up, then another. Changed springs.. worked for a while. They would drop slightly while driving so I would unplug the the system at the control box under the hood opening to shut off the alarms. Had to use a 2X4 to lever up two of the jacks.. Finally got tired of doing it and had the jacks removed and I sent them to HWH to be rebuilt. The removal and installation upon return cost 250.00 and HWH charged 750.00 to rebuild them. I painted them myself because HWH wanted 20.00 each to paint them. They work fine now.

Wow thanks for the input I wonder what the life expectancy is? Seems like maybe electric would be the better choice in the long run? We never had any problems with our levelers on the Fleetwood Pace Arrow 2007 thru 2016 except minor one time towards the end of 2014.

HWH charged $750 to rebuild 4 jacks. IF you have Electric jacks, just 1 jack will cost more than $750 to replace. Electric jacks are NOT reliable and cost more to fix when they break. That is why you rarely see Electric leveling jacks on motorhomes in the past 5 to 7 years. Doug

It's why I keep a 2X4 in my basement compartment.

PF&PM wrote:
We struggled for a few years with one that wouldn't come up, then another. Changed springs.. worked for a while. They would drop slightly while driving so I would unplug the the system at the control box under the hood opening to shut off the alarms. Had to use a 2X4 to lever up two of the jacks.. Finally got tired of doing it and had the jacks removed and I sent them to HWH to be rebuilt. The removal and installation upon return cost 250.00 and HWH charged 750.00 to rebuild them. I painted them myself because HWH wanted 20.00 each to paint them. They work fine now.

Wow thanks for the input I wonder what the life expectancy is? Seems like maybe electric would be the better choice in the long run? We never had any problems with our levelers on the Fleetwood Pace Arrow 2007 thru 2016 except minor one time towards the end of 2014.

We struggled for a few years with one that wouldn't come up, then another. Changed springs.. worked for a while. They would drop slightly while driving so I would unplug the the system at the control box under the hood opening to shut off the alarms. Had to use a 2X4 to lever up two of the jacks.. Finally got tired of doing it and had the jacks removed and I sent them to HWH to be rebuilt. The removal and installation upon return cost 250.00 and HWH charged 750.00 to rebuild them. I painted them myself because HWH wanted 20.00 each to paint them. They work fine now.

If you are in a place with cooler temps, the jacks will retract slower then during the hot Summer. If you just cannot get it to retract all of the way, you can put a bottle or scissors jack underneath it and use that to push the cylinder up to a full retraction.

Fishinghat wrote:
I have a 1993 coach with the HWH levelers and all have their original springs. I can't help but think a slow retracting leveler is due to something else, such as dirty fluid, closed valve or dirty jack. I spray mine with silicone fluid just before retracting. The fluid seems to keep the seals lubricated, although I would assume MD3 fluid (automatic transmission fluid) would do the same, if not better.

I changed the fluid several years ago as a preventive measure. it takes about a gallon if I remember correctly. I also lubricate the zert fittings and spray the moving/pivoting parts with silicone spray. Remember to check the manual release valves on top of the pump to make sure they are closed.

You must have KICK DOWN jacks. Totally different parameter and animal from the more common Straight jacks. You do NOT have to change the fluid. There is nothing to contaminate the fluid. But, some feel better doing that. Doug

I have a 1993 coach with the HWH levelers and all have their original springs. I can't help but think a slow retracting leveler is due to something else, such as dirty fluid, closed valve or dirty jack. I spray mine with silicone fluid just before retracting. The fluid seems to keep the seals lubricated, although I would assume MD3 fluid (automatic transmission fluid) would do the same, if not better.

I changed the fluid several years ago as a preventive measure. it takes about a gallon if I remember correctly. I also lubricate the zert fittings and spray the moving/pivoting parts with silicone spray. Remember to check the manual release valves on top of the pump to make sure they are closed.