Self Levelers

wny_pat wrote:
......

HWH says: "If the jack rod has been greased or silicone sprays have been used on the jack rod, use WD-40 to loosen the grease or silicone and wipe the rod clean."

I agree, my LCI manual says to use a silicon lube then wipe it down.

... Eric

PackerBacker wrote:

JimM68 wrote:

PackerBacker wrote:
I'd be wondering why there is a film of hydraulic fluid on them to begin with, they really should be 'dry' unless they have been intentionally sprayed.

As mentioned already, a spray of silicon lube then wipe them down is what I would recommend. It's what my owner's manual states to do.

The seals are designed to weep a bit of fluid when extended.
Shock absorber seals are also.
....

That's news to me, I've run hydraulic components in pretty much everything from levellers to farm equipment, to my race cars. My experience has been the rams are pretty much dry unless there was some leaking. Otherwise they would be a dirt magnet and cause premature seal failures regularly. Just my opinion.

... Eric

HWH says: "If the jack rod has been greased or silicone sprays have been used on the jack rod, use WD-40 to loosen the grease or silicone and wipe the rod clean."

I have to replace the two rear HWH kickdowns on the rear of my coach. Froze right up and will not budge. Shop called and said $1700 just for the jacks. I found another place that has them for $1400. Am planning on watching ebay until a set come along. Going to try to pick level spots and go without them for a while.

JimM68 wrote:

PackerBacker wrote:
I'd be wondering why there is a film of hydraulic fluid on them to begin with, they really should be 'dry' unless they have been intentionally sprayed.

As mentioned already, a spray of silicon lube then wipe them down is what I would recommend. It's what my owner's manual states to do.

The seals are designed to weep a bit of fluid when extended.
Shock absorber seals are also.
....

That's news to me, I've run hydraulic components in pretty much everything from levellers to farm equipment, to my race cars. My experience has been the rams are pretty much dry unless there was some leaking. Otherwise they would be a dirt magnet and cause premature seal failures regularly. Just my opinion.

... Eric

I have talked to a few RV mechanics that say that the only thing you should put on the HWH Hydraulic levelers is ATF.

PackerBacker wrote:
I'd be wondering why there is a film of hydraulic fluid on them to begin with, they really should be 'dry' unless they have been intentionally sprayed.

As mentioned already, a spray of silicon lube then wipe them down is what I would recommend. It's what my owner's manual states to do.

The seals are designed to weep a bit of fluid when extended.
Shock absorber seals are also.

I wipe mine with automatic transmission fluid if they are going to be extended for long time, and clean them also with ATF prior to retracting them. In my example, I'm talking about a long time.... like all winter she stays up on the jacks.

All i have ever used is WD-40.havent had a problem so far.
Have wintere on S.Padre IS.TX for the past 2 years for 2 months at a time.

We have spent years 100 yards from the Pacific ocean summering with the coach. I have found in my case the best thing to do is the day before we leave I wipe them down with A.T.F. and then a soft cloth. Use a Q tip and clean the outer cylinder seal. Then the next day they are good to go and retract within a two minute time frame. I will also do the same if in a particularly dusty desert environment.

I'd be wondering why there is a film of hydraulic fluid on them to begin with, they really should be 'dry' unless they have been intentionally sprayed.

As mentioned already, a spray of silicon lube then wipe them down is what I would recommend. It's what my owner's manual states to do.

My owner manual says to spray them with silicone spray every week when jacks are extended, more often if near sea/salt. I don't get around to it every week, but a couple of times a month usually. full-timing for 5 years with no problems.