Hydraulic Leveler Not Retracting All the Way

rv4jimnme wrote:
Hi Everybody,
I wanted to post one last time for those of you who may still be wondering about Hydraulic Levelers. First our System is NOT made to retract or work without the Engine running because it drains the Engine Battery. We had to jump start the Coach trying it this way. Your situation maybe different. Carrying a piece of two by four has been a "godsend" because we still have one Leveler that will not retract all the way. We have been told it could be as simple as replacing the spring or as complicated as rebuilding or replacing the Jack Itself. Also the One Service Manager has suggested that perhaps the Hydraulic Fluid needs changing as it can thicken or thin (cannot remember which one) over time. So our choice is to take it in and get the necessary repairs over with. So as you can see there is much to learn on here, however some advice might not be specifically for you or your Coach. Big Thanks to all!

OK.
1. You CAN retract and extend with the engine OFF. IF this drains the chassis battery, you have a BAD chassis battery. To retract takes less than 5 minutes and pulls hardly any battery power.
2. You NEVER need to change the HWH hyd fluid. It does NOT thicken or thin. This statement is complete nonsense and I would NOT have a shop that the Service manager states such a thing work on my RV.
3. Springs or Not? Simple way to determine. The newer better springs are tapered the last 2 inches. The older style springs that loose tensile strength will be the same diameter top to bottom. If you have the old style springs, replace all 8 springs.
4. But, when you have worn springs, you have the Jacks in retract mode, if the jacks and internal seals are OK, and a jack fails to retract, you can easily push the offending jack up to full retraction with your hand. IF you have to lever it up with a pry bar or 2 x 4, that jack needs rebuilt or replaced. If that Service center does NOT know this, do not have them work on your RV. Doug