Jack Shafts - maintenance while down

[garlic]

New to the Class A that is still sitting waiting for parts for the tow car before our first shake down trip. I have started to go over the volumes of info that came with the coach (05 Holiday Rambler). Found conflicting advice on jack shaft maintenance. One book says clean and wipe with automatic transmission fluid. Another part says to spray regularly with silicone. The AT fluid makes more intuitive sense, but could use experienced advice here. Thanks in advance.

[AllegroD]

If they are HWH, look at their maintenance doc ml47149.pdf.

[dezolen]

Just ask any heavy equipment operator. Never see them wiping down cylinders and they are in dirty dusty conditions all day long. Silicon spray or tranny fluid can't hurt.

[JimM68]

I use trans fluid, wipe the shafts down just before I am going to retract them after a long winter sitting

[wa8yxm]

In that big bag of books is at least one from the jack Manufacturer.

Power Gear: Says Silicone.

Not sure about other companies.

[wilanddij]

When mine are extended for any length of time they have a problem retracting. Don't know if its weak return springs or what, but giving each a shot of silicone spray before I pull them in makes them retract very well.

[dougrainer]

HWH and PG(powergear) and RVP hyd jack systems do NOT need any lube on the shafts. They do require you to extend and make sure the sliding piston is clean with no dirt or debris. PG hyd jacks in the past 10 years have grease Zircs at the bottom collar to inject lube into the collar to keep the bottom seal slick. ALL 3 systems the piston shaft is immersed in ATF when retracted and are basically self lubing. Doug

[Executive45]

My manual said use the tranny fluid. Just don't get carried away. DO NOT use WD-40. If you choose a spray, make sure it's a dry silicone, same as you'd use on your slides. Anything else will be a dirt magnet....Dennis

[the_silverback]

X2 on silicon dry lube.

[WyoTraveler]

When jacks are extended I spray with dry silicon lube and wipe. I was conferned anything else would pick up dirt. I'm sure either would work.