Jacks

I didn't see what type of jacks we're talking about so this may be off base. When one of my RVA jacks refuses to retract, its usually because one of the solenoids hasn't released the fluid. The solenoids are connected to the hydraulic jack pump and easily released by turning the T handle counter clockwise. You shouldn't fill the system with all the jacks retracted, the directions for RVA jacks says to put the front jack down about half way, then fill the reservoir.

happy-2 wrote:
FIRST OF ALL, check the fluid level in the reservoir. take off the plug and make sure its full,WHEN THE JACKS ARE RETRACTED.

Explain why this would be a factor on failure to fully retract with a jack sticking on retracting. Doug

FIRST OF ALL, check the fluid level in the reservoir. take off the plug and make sure its full,WHEN THE JACKS ARE RETRACTED.

dougrainer wrote:

harold1946 wrote:

Happy Jim wrote:
My stbalizating jack has been slow for years.Now it won't retract at all without help from a small floor jack. Camping world said I need a new jack they would check the Mfg and call me back.. Nary a word after a month and an hour labor charge $109.

Searching I see many RVers have the same jack issues. I would think a simple pump and one way cyclinder would be reliable and trouble free
But it does not appear to be. I have cleaned the piston and lubed to no avail. As you can see I am frustrated with the whole situation today. I will better tomorrow.

It is quite possible the return springs have weakened and need replacing. The fact that it will return indicates that it is not the
valve or solenoid. Not unusual for 17 year old springs.
Good luck.

WITHOUT springs if HWH, you can easily push a Jack cylinder up when the system is in store. Now, the OP stated he has to use a floor jack to get it up. That means the INTERNAL seals have failed and the Jack cylinder either needs replaced or rebuilt. On a 17 year old RV, I would pull and have it rebuilt by either a local HYD shop or send it to HWH for rebuild. 17 year old RV, I would replace ALL 8 springs if HWH. Odds are the 8 springs have lost most of their tensile strength and are on the verge of rusting away. HR used HWH while Monaco used RVA and HWH. IF by chance he has one of the few HR's that used Powergear, you can get a rebuild kit from Powergear. Doug

that may be correct assuming the OP tried to lift the piston with something other than the floor jack first and found he needed the floor jack. we had the same problem on one jack after 8 or 9-years...it would start to retract but quit mid-way thru. I was able to use a short length of 2x4 to get it up the rest of the way. turned out that the piston had a slight defect and was replaced.

To make sure its the cyl. just loosen the hyd. line at the top. That separates the system from the cly. If it goes up with the hose loose , its the system, if not its the cyl. Still the springs will play a part but you can tell if it makes it easier to push up. MOHO

I will wait for a reply from Jim. Being able to put a jack under it indicated to me it was partially retracting.

harold1946 wrote:

Happy Jim wrote:
My stbalizating jack has been slow for years.Now it won't retract at all without help from a small floor jack. Camping world said I need a new jack they would check the Mfg and call me back.. Nary a word after a month and an hour labor charge $109.

Searching I see many RVers have the same jack issues. I would think a simple pump and one way cyclinder would be reliable and trouble free
But it does not appear to be. I have cleaned the piston and lubed to no avail. As you can see I am frustrated with the whole situation today. I will better tomorrow.

It is quite possible the return springs have weakened and need replacing. The fact that it will return indicates that it is not the
valve or solenoid. Not unusual for 17 year old springs.
Good luck.

WITHOUT springs if HWH, you can easily push a Jack cylinder up when the system is in store. Now, the OP stated he has to use a floor jack to get it up. That means the INTERNAL seals have failed and the Jack cylinder either needs replaced or rebuilt. On a 17 year old RV, I would pull and have it rebuilt by either a local HYD shop or send it to HWH for rebuild. 17 year old RV, I would replace ALL 8 springs if HWH. Odds are the 8 springs have lost most of their tensile strength and are on the verge of rusting away. HR used HWH while Monaco used RVA and HWH. IF by chance he has one of the few HR's that used Powergear, you can get a rebuild kit from Powergear. Doug

Happy Jim wrote:
My stbalizating jack has been slow for years.Now it won't retract at all without help from a small floor jack. Camping world said I need a new jack they would check the Mfg and call me back.. Nary a word after a month and an hour labor charge $109.

Searching I see many RVers have the same jack issues. I would think a simple pump and one way cyclinder would be reliable and trouble free
But it does not appear to be. I have cleaned the piston and lubed to no avail. As you can see I am frustrated with the whole situation today. I will better tomorrow.

Form what you are saying, it is retracting far enough to get a jack under, that would be an indication of a weak spring.
It is quite possible the return springs have weakened and need replacing. The fact that it will return indicates that it is not the
valve or solenoid. Not unusual for 17 year old springs.
Good luck.

What brand/series of jacks?

I had a jack on my class A that kept binding, would set it down on a length of 2 x 4 to be able to pry it to get it going. finally locked down and had to remove it. IIRC I just got a replacement cylinder at Camping world Chattanooga.
bumpy