HWH Levelors not retracting

[arboldt]

We've had our new-to-us MH a little over 6 weeks, and DW was doing final cleaning before our maiden trip. It's parked on the street in front of our house. I turned it around to extend a slide over the yard (vs into the street). Deployed leveling jacks ok.
When I went to retract them, back ones went up ok. Front ones only raised an inch or two off the pavement. I've tried both the 'store' button on the control panel and the 'retract' button in 'level' mode. Same situation.
I checked the manual, and it said for manual release to use a socket to release pressure on the solenoid. I did that for the center 2 solenoids (manual said those were for the front jacks). Boy, were they hot! But the jacks didn't raise.

We did buy a comprehensive warranty (service contract), so we called them. They said to get a written estimate and they'd do their thing.
(We've uncovered another issue that just arose that I want fixed under the 'warranty' at the same time unrelated to the levelors).

Now the question ...
I'm afraid to drive it with only an inch or so clearance. If I can't drive it to a shop (have to find one), how do I get an estimate?
Do I dare try to pry the levelors back up with a 2x4 or crowbar?

2nd question: how do I find a shop (Kalamazoo, MI area)? The ESC company referred us to RVRepairDirect.com. (That site is extremely frustrating -- options cited in its FAQs don't exist) but the closest looks like over 35 miles away. Looking for a mobile service was unfruitful.

Details:
2004 Newmar Mountain Aire, gasser, Workhorse chassis w/ 8.1 L chevy engine.
HTH 325-series leveling system.

[vsheetz]

HWH jacks not retracting is a common problem. A more usual symptom is that they won't retract all the way, stopping with less than an inch to go. Cleaning the cylinders usually resolves or improves. Weak springs are a contributing factor sometimes.

You should not try to drive with them down. A length of 2x4 or a metal rod as a lever can be used to help the jack to come up. Adding pressure via the lever as they try to retract usually gets it done.

[PJStough]

Originally Posted by vsheetz

HWH jacks not retracting is a common problem. A more usual symptom is that they won't retract all the way, stopping with less than an inch to go. Cleaning the cylinders usually resolves or improves. Weak springs are a contributing factor sometimes.

You should not try to drive with them down. A length of 2x4 or a metal rod as a lever can be used to help the jack to come up. Adding pressure via the lever as they try to retract usually gets it done.

If the solenoids are opening but the jacks wont retract, spray the seal where the ram goes into the cylinder liberally with WD-40, and wipe off the excess, put the jacks back down, and then try to retract them.

[okie143]

I had the same problem and I sprayed them with wd40 and a silicone spray, took a screwdriver and a rag to clean the bottom of the ram. Where it goes into the ram housing. I got a lot of road tar, small gravel, dirt and grass pieces. Now they retract with no problem. You have to do this several times a year.

[TLGPE]

I carry a length of 2x4 in a bay. I almost always have to pry at least two of the jacks up. Lube helps, but not enough. After three years, I'm used to it, no problem.


Tom

[FleetMan]

HWH jacks retract using spring pressure only. When working properly, activating the "store or jacks up" mode opens the pathway for the fluid to return to the reservoir tank. Check your HWH Manual or download it from their website and troubleshoot what is not functioning properly. I had a similar problem years ago and could not resolve it on site so I took the very messy route and disconnected the hydraulic line to the problem jack. It retracted, the warning bell stopped and I drove to the factory north of Moscow, IA and had it repaired under warranty. (Thankfully, I was not an excessive distance away and I-80 west was the route I was traveling.)

If you are in Kazoo, Stuart's in Elkhart, IN provides excellent support for the HWH systems.

[Ramets]

I've had to use the scissor jack in our towed once when I didn't keep up with keeping the shafts clean. After getting to our next destination I did a thorough cleaning and everything was fine. Not sure you have the same problem since you mention the two front jacks only went up an inch or so. I certainly wouldn't drive with them down that far.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Mostly agree with the others, but the inability to release pressure via the solenoids is worrisome, as is the heat there. It should be possible to manually open the solenoid valves, and I wonder if you did not achieve that when you tried. You might want to revisit that procedure.

Try applying upward pressure under the jack leg with a long 2x4 and see if they budge. If they do, it's probably weak springs or dirty jack legs. If not, then those solenoids are not opening and nothing is going to move until they do. If necessary, loosen the hydraulic line connections and dump the fluid (into a bucket, if you can),

[Iwillbeit]

Originally Posted by okie143

I had the same problem and I sprayed them with wd40 and a silicone spray, took a screwdriver and a rag to clean the bottom of the ram. Where it goes into the ram housing. I got a lot of road tar, small gravel, dirt and grass pieces. Now they retract with no problem. You have to do this several times a year.

Same here.. Just a good cleaning did the trick


Randy W

[bigfella]

We had the same problem with our HWH jacks when we got our Journey. I carried a 2x4 to coax the rear up the last inch or two to shut the alarm off. While in a well known shop in San Antonio for service I asked them to look at them and was told they were bent and would replace them for $3K. I was shocked.

Meanwhile on this site I learned to clean around the top seal carefully with a dental pick and clean the shafts lightly with a scotchbrite pad. After that cleaning and a little silicone spray they came up tight within a couple minutes.

At the next service I had the rear springs replaced. Now if we're parked for more than a few days I spray some silicone on a paper towel and wipe all of them before retraction and they all come up tight within a minute. I occasionally clean and lube the slide out shafts also.

[RangerRick]

Part of my regular pre-trip routine is to extend the jacks, wipe the cylinders clean and spray with silicone lubricant. I used to have the same problem but not since I started this procedure.

[DrDaveMA]

Originally Posted by bigfella

Meanwhile on this site I learned to clean around the top seal carefully with a dental pick and clean the shafts lightly with a scotchbrite pad. After that cleaning and a little silicone spray they came up tight within a couple minutes.

Don't ever use a sharp instrument on the seals, you could damage them. A Scotchbrite pad is ok if used LIGHTLY but if lubricating with WD-40 doesn't work you probably have a bent shaft, take it to a reputable shop that knows HWH and let them evaluate it, the jacks are not inexpensive. Also look at the shafts, they should be bright and shiny, if not they have something on them, maybe they have rusted, if so you will need a new jack(s).

But before taking it to a shop I would lubricate the shafts with WD-40 then level the coach. After it is level hit "Store" while the store is running use a 2 X 4 under the pad to raise it 4 - 5" then place a 4 X 4 beyond the jack and pry up with the 2 X 4 using the 4 X 4 to increase your leverage to get it up those last few inches. The jacks should be up in 2 minutes, or less, but let the store cycle run until it automatically shuts off (you will see the "Travel" light come on). If you get things moving run the above cycle several times lubricating the shafts each time. Also check that the HWH tank is full when all the jacks and slides are retracted, if you fill the tank while slides are open, jacks are down, you will over fill it and spill fluid all over the pace.

The solenoids should not heat up, that needs to be checked. One other thing, the pump in the HWH draws a lot of current, so be sure you are plugged into shore power or running the generator while working the HWH system.

If you get the jacks working and you are going to the FMCA Family Reunion in Springfield, MA August 3-6, get HWH service scheduled, Paul Maddox is the HWH tech that works all the FMCA shows, he is great, knows his stuff and his pricing is fair.

[philand]

I was told by a friend, that HWH told him to lube the shafts with ATF. After setting on the jacks for several months, my rear jacks didn't retract completely. They eventually did and I exercised them and now they retract fine.

My '02 Damon use the "joy stick" valve control.

[DrDaveMA]

While ATF may work, go with what HWH recommends, WD-40.