Jacks getting sluggish

What brand jacks?

Sounds like your return valve is not opening all the way. Check the electrical connections at the valves.

Do you have zerk fittings at the bottom of the jacks, they may need a small shot of grease.

We have to lubricate our jacks once in a while, especially in sandy locations. Do you lubricate them regularly? We know we have to do it when they get sluggish on the way up...

The fluid level does not effect the jack retraction, unless it is being restricted on it's return to the reservior. Typically, hydraulics will initially move slower in cold weather, before the fluid warms up. However, as it is that you are in California, that's likely not a issue.

It could be that your valve is not opening all the way due to a weak solenoid. You may want to try the manual override and see if your jacks retract normally. If so, then the solenoid is most likely your problem. Your owners manual will instruct you on how to do this.

Also, how is the condition of your return springs? Those big springs on each jack are what is "pulling" your jack up to the retracted position.

mtrumpet wrote:


Also, how is the condition of your return springs? Those big springs on each jack are what is "pulling" your jack up to the retracted position.

X2
Check the springs, and a little WD40. Some folks use hydraulic fluid to wipe them down with every now and then. My rears are always the last one's up as the hydraulic compartment is located at the PS front wheel. Distance is much greater.

As previously noted it could be a sluggish valve but first try lubricating the external portion of the cylinder shafts with automatic transmission fluid and a couple of shots of grease in the grease zerks at the base of the cylinder. Another thought is to deflate your air bags before extending and leveling, then retract before airing up. This process lets the full weight of the motor home start to push the jacks up and help force open a sticky valve. Works for me as I have the same unit.
Blessings; Keith

Use whatever the manufacturer recommends to lube the extended jacks, for most people, that's ATF (never use WD-40 from what I read...it's a penetrating oil, not a lubricant).

Check the operation of the retract solenoid valve. Like has been mentioned, if it's not opening all the way, you'll get your symptom.

At the reservoir, remove and clean all the electrical terminals. I have removed, taken apart, and cleaned the coil assemblies because they can accumulate road grime. Liberally spray electrical connections with contact spray. Brighten the terminals with brass mini-brush. Recrimp wire connectors (main cause of reduced voltage to coils).

After everything electrical is all clean and shiny, and the terminals are tight, measure the voltage going to the 'Retract' solenoid. If it's not a strong 12V+, then you'll have to track down the weakly crimped or corroded terminal.

It's exceedingly rare for a solenoid itself to become 'weak'. It's made of wire wound on a coil, the ends soldered to terminals. Then the whole shebang is dipped in epoxy. There's nothing that can become 'weak'. So look for corrosion or a bad crimp going TO the solenoid.

Finally, I've read on forums, that on really old RVs the retraction 'springs' can become weak. Especially if they live in the desert most of the year. I'd doubt that all of the springs will somehow get weak all at the same time, but, who knows?

My '06 Ambassador has Power Gear jacks. They seem to work just fine. If you haven't checked the fluid it is possible it is low and aerating the fluid. I just cannot see how low fluid wouldn't affect the retraction???

Low fluid wouldn't affect the retraction because with most of these RV jack systems, it doesn't take fluid to retract. (UNLESS it is one of those powered extend/retract systems which tend to be rare).

It takes only a release of fluid pressure holding the cylinder rams in place, and the added pressure of the retraction springs attached to the foot of the jack. That requires only one valve, and the electrical system to operate it.

If the system reservoir was totally emptied, the jacks would still retract. But not extend.