Leaking Jack

[mogulsmoke]

I have a 2001 Nat. RV 7373 LTC... I have one Power Gear Jack that is leaking a small amount of fluid, perhaps a quarter of a cup of fluid over the past six months. Last time I had a jack replaced under warranty, it was over $1,200. Do you have any suggestions, as this is a pretty big hit now . I talked with a hydraulic repair firm that offered to order the parts and rebuild the jack, but the would not warranty it.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Fred and Bonnie]

Depends on how bad it "Bugs Ya", hydraulic fluid is cheap.

[Theberrys]

Power Gear sells rebuild kits for the seals in the jacks for about $100. I had the two front jacks rebuilt for just over $400. Power Gear will not sell the kits directly to you so you will need to find a repair shop to order the parts and do the work. The guys at the shop I went to said it wasn't a very long or hard job. The $200 labor charge for both jachs indicates they were right.

Dick

[charliebebo]

If my leveling jacks go bad I will do nothing..I may be a little old school but I don't even like them. I would rather use drive on levelers. I looked at my air bags the other day and saw the stretched stressed conditions of lifting the body off the chassis and think they could cause more damage than worth. All my million + bus miles you never pick up a coach and let the axles dangle by the air bags.

[Vegasdan]

I just had the 2 rears fixed (both were leaking) for $548 for seals and labor. The tech showed me what happens and why these puppies fail. The former owner evidently put down the jacks into soft ground or mud and buried the jacks. When they were pulled back up he didn't clean off the dirt but just let them go back up and park. It packed the mud into the seals and with time the seals failed. I saw the dirt packed up inside each of the removed seals. I'll make sure I have some boards down before I put them down.

[Richard S.]

Link to repair doc.
http://powergearus.com/documents/Sea...anual_Rev6.pdf

[mogulsmoke]

Thanks for the suggestion. I too have kept wooden pads for the jacks, even when on asphalt paving. I had a tech suggest that occasionally we clean the stem of the jacks while they are down with a lubricant (cannot remember the name, can is in the coach). Seems like a good idea, just need to be sure the lubricant is compatible with the seals material. I now keep a small metal pan to put under the leaking jack to contain any fluid. Thanks to everyone for their posts. Ron; 2001 NRV 7373; 37'

[Vegasdan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mogulsmoke Thanks for the suggestion. I too have kept wooden pads for the jacks, even when on asphalt paving. I had a tech suggest that occasionally we clean the stem of the jacks while they are down with a lubricant (cannot remember the name, can is in the coach). Seems like a good idea, just need to be sure the lubricant is compatible with the seals material. I now keep a small metal pan to put under the leaking jack to contain any fluid. Thanks to everyone for their posts. Ron; 2001 NRV 7373; 37'

Silicone spray is what my tech told me to use that will not affect the jacks. Do not spray any type of cleaner onto the seal area.

[mogulsmoke]

Silicone spray was the name I was trying to think of. I have a can of it in the coach... Thanks for the info. Ron

[bigdog]

Since the jack fluid is really ATF can you use the leak sealer variety? One of mine is leaking and I thot that I would try that as I do have to refill the reservoir. It looks as if the former owner drove the left rear one clear into the asphalt as there is some stuck in the dish of the foot and there is a little bit in the right one too.. I think it's the only one leaking and I kind of dug the stuff out of them and will spray the foot with something that will cut the asphalt and then spray them with silicone spray after they're clean.

[EngineerMike]

Another problem that might cause a leaking jack is the shaft being bent so seals won't. Changing the seals may help that some but probably won't cure it. If the jack retracts properly, then it likely isn't bent. If it comes back up slooow, then check seals first & clean w/ATF & wipe down good, then recheck the action. If it still retracts slooow after a thorough cleaning, probably bent.