Screeching HWH Jacks

23hotrodr wrote:

dougrainer wrote:

supercub wrote:
When extended spray the chrome portion with a lubricant. When I called them, they advised me to use WD-40. I asked them if silicon spray would be ok, and they said sure, and asked me why I prefered to use it. I told them, that WD40 will attract dust/dirt, and silicon won't. They thought that was a good reason to use silicon.
Brian

HWH jacks are immersed in ATF fluid, when retracted, there is NO reason to silicone or WD 40 the piston. The only maintenance on HWH is to keep the silver piston clean and shiny. IF you feel that you need to silicone the shaft for retraction problems, then your internal piston seals are bad and the jack needs rebuilt or replaced. Siliconing is a lot cheaper than replacing or rebuilding, but if you have the time, do it. Doug

Dout- I have heard many times that the HWaH jack is emersed in fluid when retracted, as you said. I don't understand how this can be the case. The jacks are retracted by spring action only-- not by hydraulic fluid being pumped into the bottom side of the piston to retract the jacks. So, where does the fluid come from that is bathing the jack shafts?

I always appreciate your vast knowlege and experience whenever you reply to this forum. I just don't understand the mechanism for the fluid to fill the lower portion of the jack cylinder when they are retracted with springs. Thanks-- Mickey

The jack cylinder has a small amount of fluid in it when retracted. There is always a slight amount of fluid on the piston. Yes, a little fluid is pushed out and back to the reservoir, but not all. That is why when you have a failed seal, the jack still drips fluid even when retracted. The main thing is, there is NO reason to silicone or lube a correctly operation HWH jack cylinder. Like I said, it IS cheaper to do that a few times a month than replacing if you have a retraction problem. Same thing on Powergear Jacks. They usually have up to 1/2 qt in the housing when taking apart to rebuild. Doug

dougrainer wrote:

supercub wrote:
When extended spray the chrome portion with a lubricant. When I called them, they advised me to use WD-40. I asked them if silicon spray would be ok, and they said sure, and asked me why I prefered to use it. I told them, that WD40 will attract dust/dirt, and silicon won't. They thought that was a good reason to use silicon.
Brian

HWH jacks are immersed in ATF fluid, when retracted, there is NO reason to silicone or WD 40 the piston. The only maintenance on HWH is to keep the silver piston clean and shiny. IF you feel that you need to silicone the shaft for retraction problems, then your internal piston seals are bad and the jack needs rebuilt or replaced. Siliconing is a lot cheaper than replacing or rebuilding, but if you have the time, do it. Doug

Dout- I have heard many times that the HWaH jack is emersed in fluid when retracted, as you said. I don't understand how this can be the case. The jacks are retracted by spring action only-- not by hydraulic fluid being pumped into the bottom side of the piston to retract the jacks. So, where does the fluid come from that is bathing the jack shafts?

I always appreciate your vast knowlege and experience whenever you reply to this forum. I just don't understand the mechanism for the fluid to fill the lower portion of the jack cylinder when they are retracted with springs. Thanks-- Mickey

Couple years ago, my POWERGEAR did the same thing. Outreageous squeal when deploying the jacks, (but the jacks held) and silence when bringing them up. Turned out to be the main bearing on top of the motor.
Available at any auto parts store for about 20 bucks. However, I had to remove the pump/motor and reservior. And upon reassembly, I slathered everything in that area with lithium grease.
I hope yours is as "easy" ($$$) as that.

Agree on using silicone spray on the extended jacks. I do it once or twice a year as regular maintenance on the BigFoot jacks.

We had the same thing in La. The wind was bad and the really fine dust got, on the jacks and every thing. It sounded like grating steel.
Manual, and on internet says not to use wd40 bu to use only silicone. Spray good, wipe dry especially around the seals.
Our jacks have zerks, for greasing. Where we keep it they greased them.
I am concerned about the conflict, of grease fittings and on the other hand instructions to only use silicone spray. Any grease, it would seem would trap dust and grit and ruin the chrome plating, of the rams and the seals.
Since then they are cleaned and lubed with silicone spray.
Flood the top and seal area and let it run down. wipe off final time to get grit only at the bottom.
Don't want to sound like a know it very little. Perhaps someone has word on using zerks or silicone.
Can't imagine a tech telling someone that contradicts their manul and what they put on the net.

WD40 is not a lubricant. It will strip off any lubricant on rams or whatever. It is a solvent /cleaner.
When I was much younger, people were preaching how great it was for everything. I ruined the bluing on a favorite .22 by using the stuff. It sat in the cabinet after being wiped down with wd 40 and developed fine rust all over the barrel.

supercub wrote:
When extended spray the chrome portion with a lubricant. When I called them, they advised me to use WD-40. I asked them if silicon spray would be ok, and they said sure, and asked me why I prefered to use it. I told them, that WD40 will attract dust/dirt, and silicon won't. They thought that was a good reason to use silicon.
Brian

HWH jacks are immersed in ATF fluid, when retracted, there is NO reason to silicone or WD 40 the piston. The only maintenance on HWH is to keep the silver piston clean and shiny. IF you feel that you need to silicone the shaft for retraction problems, then your internal piston seals are bad and the jack needs rebuilt or replaced. Siliconing is a lot cheaper than replacing or rebuilding, but if you have the time, do it. Doug

When extended spray the chrome portion with a lubricant. When I called them, they advised me to use WD-40. I asked them if silicon spray would be ok, and they said sure, and asked me why I prefered to use it. I told them, that WD40 will attract dust/dirt, and silicon won't. They thought that was a good reason to use silicon.
Brian

1. Activate the jacks without dumping the air suspension. See if the screech
2. I have NEVER heard or had the individual jack cylinder make any noise at all, this is 30 years experience working on HWH jacks.
3. The only possibility if NOT the air suspension is at the Jack pump. There are only 2 possibilities
1. The electric pump motor is bad and making the sound
2. There is a small 1/4" "U" metal tube on top the main manifold between 2 flare fittings. This can cause a howling/screech noise. The fix is to install a 18 inch hydraulic line in place of the metal tube to not have the fluid cause the noise.
LAST, do not use any additive on an HWH system. HWH systems NEVER need any such additives. Doug

If the screech is the Air Suspension then replacing the offending air dump solenoid is the fix.

Recently over on the iRV2 Entegra Owners Forum there was a lot of chatter about noisy jacks. Although a different manufacturer (Equalizer System Jacks), one of the fixes was to use Caterpillar Hydraulic Oil Additive (Part # IU 9891). I would definitely start with HWH because not all seals and oils are compatible, but if they do not provide a resolution check out this thread:

Jack noise clicky

Good luck,

Lou
05 Travel Supreme Envoy

Ref "Air Suspension Deflating" - this could be, but it's sooooo loud, you have to cover your ears. The sound is painful. Still don't know what to do about whatever it is.