Jacks getting sluggish

[dshinnick]

We have a 2005 Holiday Rambler Ambassador, 40' DP. Overall in very good condition, except that the jacks have recently begun to be quite sluggish on retracting.

Going down is no problem. But coming up, especially the rears, I hold my breath each time. Sometimes they'll come up a few inches and stop. We reverse them for a second, then try again. Sometimes they'll then come up, sometimes not. Sometimes they just won't move at all at first, and we have to extend/retract/extend until they finally decide to retract.

I looked in the manual and there is a fluid reservoir, but the manual says that the fluid only affects the extension, not the retraction. Perhaps that's not so. I thought maybe the springs which help pull the jacks up might be getting weak, but that wouldn't explain why they're very sluggish at first, but then eventually retract ok.

So, any thoughts?

thanks-

dave

[jyrostng]

If all that doesn't fix it, remove the reservoir tank vent, if it's clogged, it makes the rams return slow

[Jim]

I sure learn a lot on this forum. Thanks for the Link 45Ricochet. Interesting read.

I've gotten kinda fat so crawling under the rig isn't an every trip thing for me, my jacks are 'slow retracting' these days and I guess I've gotta do something about that. All I do these days is stoop down at the side of the rig and spray lithium on the extended rams.

Over the last 12 years, I've been inconsistent and have used ATF, Silicon, and Lithium to lube the rams. Now they tend to stay 4" extended after pressing the Retract button. I have installed a Off/On switch on the dash control so the constant beeping doesn't slow me down any.

I guess my springs are probably weak being that they are 22 years old, but I think first I'll try some of the advice in that link by cleaning the assembly, ram, and lubing it with AFT (as recommended in my handbook by PowerGear).

Thanks!

[dougrainer]

45Ricochet wrote:

dougrainer wrote:

dshinnick wrote:
Contacted the manufacturer, the owner recommended first cleaning the rams (the part that extends down) with Dupont Teflon spray. He said it's super-slick and, unlike ATF or WSD40, does not leave a residue which attracts dust/dirt. Highly recommended the stuff for many uses. He felt sure that would fix it, and if not, to call him back.

So, what brand Jacks????? NOT HWH as the owner of HWH would never talk to an owner. AND, HWH would never state to use any type piston lube. Doug

Oh yeah?
LINK

Notice that they state NO maintenance needed. That is for making sure you have NO dirt or debris on the silver piston. As someone who has installed/repaired HWH for over 30 years(and HWH factory trained), I stand by my statement. HWH jacks need no external lube and maintenance other than Kick Down HWH jacks. We are not talking about kick downs on this thread and the OP has refused to state what brand he has. Doug

[45Ricochet]

dougrainer wrote:

dshinnick wrote:
Contacted the manufacturer, the owner recommended first cleaning the rams (the part that extends down) with Dupont Teflon spray. He said it's super-slick and, unlike ATF or WSD40, does not leave a residue which attracts dust/dirt. Highly recommended the stuff for many uses. He felt sure that would fix it, and if not, to call him back.

So, what brand Jacks????? NOT HWH as the owner of HWH would never talk to an owner. AND, HWH would never state to use any type piston lube. Doug

Oh yeah?
LINK

[jyrostng]

remove your reservoir tank vent, if it's clogged, it will cause this

[dougrainer]

dshinnick wrote:
Contacted the manufacturer, the owner recommended first cleaning the rams (the part that extends down) with Dupont Teflon spray. He said it's super-slick and, unlike ATF or WSD40, does not leave a residue which attracts dust/dirt. Highly recommended the stuff for many uses. He felt sure that would fix it, and if not, to call him back.

So, what brand Jacks????? NOT HWH as the owner of HWH would never talk to an owner. AND, HWH would never state to use any type piston lube. Doug

[dshinnick]

Contacted the manufacturer, the owner recommended first cleaning the rams (the part that extends down) with Dupont Teflon spray. He said it's super-slick and, unlike ATF or WSD40, does not leave a residue which attracts dust/dirt. Highly recommended the stuff for many uses. He felt sure that would fix it, and if not, to call him back.

[dshinnick]

Wow. Lots of replies. I'll check the type of jacks, and I'll take action on the recommendations. And I'll get back to ya. Thanks again, y'all.

[dougrainer]

If the OP has Powergear---Some of their jacks have grease zircs on the bottom. But, that will only fix when the jacks fail to fully retract and stop 1 to 2 inches from full retraction. If you have the grease zirc---inject grease in them
If the OP has HWH (from his complaint it seems to be), from his year model, there are 2 things causing his problem.
1. 2005 would probably have the older springs that will rust and lose their tensile strength. To verify which he has, you look at the springs. IF they are tapered on each end, he has the current updated springs. If he has the non tapered, he needs to replace all 8 springs.
2. 2005 HWH was when they did have the internal seals that would break down and cause lack of retraction even with new springs. To verify if the internal seals are bad is simple. In retract mode, you use a 2 x 4 x 8 foot board to lever the jacks up in retract mode when they stop. using moderate force you should be able to easily bring each jack to full retract. If it takes a lot of force to get them to fully retract, you need to either have the cylinders rebuilt or purchase new ones. Attempting to use any type external spray lube will not fix anything, it will just work for a few times and the jacks will then continue to stick. Doug

[fcooper]

midasman wrote:
True. But if his Ambassador has Power Gear like my Ambassador, there are NO springs...

Some of the Power Gear jacks have the springs internal to the assembly.

Fred

[Jim]

My Power Gear system has large springs. The brand doesn't always indicate what type will and what type won't. I did mention that some systems use powered extend, and retract.

Also, sometimes if the OP doesn't really stay in contact with us trying to help, we (maybe I mean 'I') tend to ramble and give advice to all the lurkers that might happen by this tread the next several years or so.

No guarantee anything said will apply to anyone but the original poster, but I'm guessing most forum users are aware of that.

[dougrainer]

midasman wrote:
True. But if his Ambassador has Power Gear like my Ambassador, there are NO springs...

Powergear makes 3 types of jacks.
1. The spring is external and you see it
2. The spring is INTERNAL and you do not see it
3. They make a power EXTEND and power RETRACT system. If you have THIS system, when you retract, you will hear the Hydraulic pump running. If you do NOT hear the Hydraulic pump running on retract, then you have internal SPRINGS. Doug

[midasman]

True. But if his Ambassador has Power Gear like my Ambassador, there are NO springs...

[Jim]

Low fluid wouldn't affect the retraction because with most of these RV jack systems, it doesn't take fluid to retract. (UNLESS it is one of those powered extend/retract systems which tend to be rare).

It takes only a release of fluid pressure holding the cylinder rams in place, and the added pressure of the retraction springs attached to the foot of the jack. That requires only one valve, and the electrical system to operate it.

If the system reservoir was totally emptied, the jacks would still retract. But not extend.