HWH Jack won't retract

[Kahunna]

I have a 2011 Winnebago Sightseer with HWH leveling jacks. While exercising the jacks yesterday 1 of the jacks would not retract.

Although I have tried several times in both the automatic and manual settings the right rear jack remains down and will not retract.

Any ideas what the issue is?

Is there a way to manually retract this jack?

Any sugestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Bumpyroad]

Kahunna wrote:
Doug, ... After extending the jacks for 30 hours I retracted them and sure enough, the same jack had issues. It retracted quickly until the weight of the rv was off it and then it slowed to a stop approximately 6 inches from the ground.

I was able to grab an ax handle and use it as a lever to push the jack up completely. I guess I have a bad seal in that jack.

Can these seals in the jack be replaced? Can the jacks be rebuilt or should I just replace the jack.

do what I did, place a length of 2x4 under the jack to use as a lever to get it up. but mine eventually froze down.
bumpy

[dougrainer]

Kahunna wrote:
Doug, ... After extending the jacks for 30 hours I retracted them and sure enough, the same jack had issues. It retracted quickly until the weight of the rv was off it and then it slowed to a stop approximately 6 inches from the ground.

I was able to grab an ax handle and use it as a lever to push the jack up completely. I guess I have a bad seal in that jack.

Can these seals in the jack be replaced? Can the jacks be rebuilt or should I just replace the jack.

There are some local Hydraulic shops that can replace the seals, some posters on these forums have done that. But, I just either send the jack back to HWH for rebuild or buy a new jack. Sending for rebuild can take up to 4 to 5 weeks. Buying a new one about 1 week. HWH does NOT sell the seals, so the local Hydraulic shop just matches as best they can. Doug

[Kahunna]

Doug, ... After extending the jacks for 30 hours I retracted them and sure enough, the same jack had issues. It retracted quickly until the weight of the rv was off it and then it slowed to a stop approximately 6 inches from the ground.

I was able to grab an ax handle and use it as a lever to push the jack up completely. I guess I have a bad seal in that jack.

Can these seals in the jack be replaced? Can the jacks be rebuilt or should I just replace the jack.

[dougrainer]

Kahunna wrote:
Doug,.. you seem to be very knowledgeable about this issue.

So from what you are saying I could have a bad internal seal that is keeping my one jack from retracting??? Could this be a seal that is dried out and un-lubricated from lack of use?

I will fully extend, wait 24 hours and then retract the jacks.

Thanks for your suggestions' I will report back the results.

Kahunna

NOT from lack of usage. I replace HWH jacks that are under the 1 year warranty all the time for this issue. The seals just are a little out of spec and prevent the cylinder from pushing thru easily. When you apply any type external lube, that lube gets to that defective seal and helps for a little while, but is NOT a permanent fix. I see from a lot of posters on the issue that they would rather get down under the RV and wipe and clean and use a lubricant, rather than fix the real problem. Cost may be the reason. But rest assured, after some time, that jack will stick and will not raise without using a extra floor jack to get it up. Doug

[Kahunna]

Doug,.. you seem to be very knowledgeable about this issue.

So from what you are saying I could have a bad internal seal that is keeping my one jack from retracting??? Could this be a seal that is dried out and un-lubricated from lack of use?

I will fully extend, wait 24 hours and then retract the jacks.

Thanks for your suggestions' I will report back the results.

Kahunna

[dougrainer]

Kahunna wrote:
Thanks to all for your input.

While prepping for the upcoming Labor Day trip today I again exercised the jacks and again the same jack as last week will not retract.

I think I will take a look at all the electrical connections as Doug suggested, any other suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Kahunna

The test for a sticking internal jack seal is this----You extend the jacks and let sit extended for 24 hours. Then retract, If any jack sticks then it has bad internal seals. The problem with doing a extension and then retraction within a few minutes or hours is--the extension may temporarily get that bad internal seal pliable for awhile and then it will let the cylinder retract. Whenever I get a customer with this type complaint, I do the 24 hour test. Doug

[Kahunna]

Thanks to all for your input.

While prepping for the upcoming Labor Day trip today I again exercised the jacks and again the same jack as last week will not retract.

I think I will take a look at all the electrical connections as Doug suggested, any other suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Kahunna

[dougrainer]

Kahunna wrote:
I went out this morning and hit the auto level button putting the jacks down and then hit auto retract. All the jacks retracted including the one that would not retract yesterday.

I have since put all the jacks down and retracted them using both the auto level function and the manual function without any issues.

Then you have a loose intermittent electrical connection for THAT jack solenoid. Doug

[Bumpyroad]

my HWH jack on my 1999 winnie chieftain also stuck down. for a while I would put it down on a 2x4 that I could use as a lever to get it started going up and that worked just fine until it didn't. totally froze down and had a mechanic remove it and put a new cylinder on later. when they start chattering, etc. it is time to replace it.
I think you can somehow turn the small valve and force it up against no pressure?
bumpy

[MrWizard]

do not over fill
check fluid when jacks are 'Retracted'

if you can each them , usually locate at pump, the valves can be activated manually by pushing in on the 'end' of the valve
do this with the 'pump' off ... one end of each valve is for extend, the opposite end is for retract , a kick down jacks use spring return, releasing the pressure will let the jack retract

Don't do this from 'underneath' the RV

this should be accessible from the front hatch or side compartment door

[obgraham]

Kahunna wrote:
All the jacks retracted including the one that would not retract yesterday.

Welcome to the real world of hydraulic jacks. They have a mind of their own.

The HWH systems, both levelers and slides, as far as I know, all have a written procedure for manual retraction in the case of true stubborn-ness. Similar to what was posted above.

[Kahunna]

I went out this morning and hit the auto level button putting the jacks down and then hit auto retract. All the jacks retracted including the one that would not retract yesterday.

I have since put all the jacks down and retracted them using both the auto level function and the manual function without any issues.

[dougrainer]

1. Will the jack retract at all?
2. If it does retract a little, does it then stop once it clears the ground?
3. If it does NOT retract at all, you have a solenoid for that jack not opening. If you have the HWH operators manual, it will show you how to open the solenoids manually to allow retraction IF it is an electrical malfunction.
4. There are 4 hoses at the pump. The outer 2 hoses go to the rear jacks. then inner 2 go to the front. Open up BOTH the outer solenoids with the spring release if you have the new style solenoid. If you have the old, then unscrew the 1/4 inch nut instead. If the jack will still not retract but does move a little, and you can get a lever bar under it, pry/lever the jack up all the way, then close the solenoids. If you have the lever it up, then the jack needs replaced. Doug
.

[harold1946]

www.hwh.com/m137634.pdf
Good luck