Failed/Jammed Fwd Jacks

[BillandCarole]

Hi Everyone
Our fwd jacks will not move, either electrically, or manually with the the manual handle. Its a Venture MFG Co gear box with no model number that I can find.
When I push the extend button,I just get a clanking, grinding sound. I suspect a stripped gear. The emergency handle just turns about 1/2 turn and stops, in either clock or counter clockwise motion.
The rig is a 2K8 Komfort 241 FS.
Suggestions?
Regards
Bill and Carole

[BillandCarole]

Thanks "Veebyes"

"do recall something about beating the you know what out of it before discovering a circlip that has to be removed & the spring pin through the bevel gear."

I have removed one "C" clip. It released the gear box (reduction gear) which separated from the gear tubes. I now have an inner and outer tube with the bevel gear/screw inside. The schematic shows the pin I think you are speaking of, but its under the gear head and I can not access it.
Where is the pin you are speaking of in the bevel gear and how did you get to it.?
The leg is straight.
Regards
Bill

[Veebyes]

It has been a few years since the last time I had to do a rebuild but I do recall something about beating the you know what out of it before discovering a circlip that has to be removed & the spring pin through the bevel gear.

Once you get it you will think it is V8 time.

Hope you don't have a bent leg. That is about the only thing left if there is no damage to the bevel gears.

[BillandCarole]

Finally have the LG tube assembly out. The bevel gear on top is fine. However it will not turn the lower screw assembly (jack screw). The schematic shows all the interior pieces but I can not get the jack screw out of the outer tube. The inner tube refuses to budge. What is the method of getting to the jack screw, thrust washer and bearing out? I can not find a method of getting to the drive pin in the bevel gear. Is it pressed on? If its not accessible/replacable why the list of all the parts?
Thanks again guys!!!
Bill

[john_bet]

I have had to work on my rt. side twice now. last time was a sherd pin in the top. I just replaced it and all is good. The first time i had to have a rebuild kit from Lippert components.

[Old-Biscuit]

Landing gear parts exploded view.........LINK


Part Identification............LINK

[Veebyes]

I'm thinking it is not the Venture gearbox but the crown gear in the top of the leg itself. Verify this after taking the weight off the leg & removing the gearbox from the leg. The gearbox will run if OK.

Been there. Fixed that. Replacement parts are not expensive. I even carry a spare at all times now.

Jacking & blocking is not hard. Chock the wheels well. Jack it. Backup block it. Block the pinbox in the truck even if you want to feel that much safer.

The crown gear can be replaced with the leg still mounted but usually it is a whole lot easier & less time to take the whole leg out & work on it outside. The crown gear can be found in many RV supply stores.

Doing it for the first time will take a few hours as you fudge around abit with it but experienced hands with the right tools handy should do it in an hour. It is a simple job that is good to know how to do.

[BillandCarole]

I am forgetting my manners (yep, some of us still strive to have some). The suggestions to shore up the the fwd frame ("old biscuit") and the name ("hawkhill") of the person to talk to at Venture were/are VERY helpful. Unfortunately everything is closed till Monday. WE would like to leave for Vegas (Consumers Electronic Show) on the 3rd and this is looking ever so unlikely now. We have made alternate hotel reservations but they are EVER so expensive.
Thanks Again
Bill

[BillandCarole]

We have the 5'ver up on blocks under the front frame, the motor for the jacks removed along with the lateral connecting rod, and all of the screws out of the gear housing cover. We have ran into a "shear" pin on the upper exterior manual drive rod that refuses to budge with a small amount of pressure. Its a split, hollow, pin that goes through the center of the upper rod. With out removing it, the cover will not come off the gear housing. The motor runs fine, its the gear box is also in good shape. It now appears that the failure is in the Lippert Landing gear leg. Drats!!!
Question: Is the leg assembly (including the gear box) all replaced as a unit or individual parts? The inner gears are intact and fine. Its obviously a gear inside the drive tube (land gear tube) that has failed.
Thanks
Bill

[Old-Biscuit]

Need couple of 4 or 6 ton bottle jacks, wood cribbing for base/height so bottle jacks reaches frame.
Jack weight of landing gear legs.....both sides evenly.....removing pressure from landing gear assemblies.

Then you should be able to manually move them.
You will need to rebuild jammed one or replace

[hawkhill]

We had a similar issue with ours. Venture is good to work with. Venture will sell directly to the public. But they will need the serial number of the failed LG leg. Thankfully, Venture places a flat sheet metal cap on the top of the LG with the lettering of VMC and the remaining numbers required by Venture. A new landing gear as of June 2012 is 165.00. They have also started using an aluminum case reduction gear which should be much more reliable that the old molded plastic. If you have a similar problem look for a flat metal cap on the top of your landing gear. Patty Everling at Venture can be called at 866-365-1957. 

[GaPete]

Friend had this problem. We jacked the camper up enough to take weight off the front legs and they worked. Settling pressure had apparently jammed them.

[WyoTraveler]

Just be careful working on the jacks. About a year ago there was a post about working on jammed jacks and 5ver fell. If off the vehicle I would try to get support under 5ver.