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Alan17 · 07-09-2013, 01:16 AM

I developed a leak on one of my rear leveler on my 1995 Suncruiser. It is a power gear system and the cylinders are made by Milwaukee cylinder. From the date code on the cylinder it is original as it matches the manufacturing date of my motorhome.

Naturally I thought that it was a seal but as I investigated the leak it was coming from somewhere near the top of the cylinder but was not from the fitting or the hose so I pulled it off of the frame. (Heavy, very heavy) After getting it off I cannot see anywhere that it could he leaking from other than the welds that were done to attache the mounting bracket to the cylinder or the weld at the top of the cylinder.

Has anyone here ever experienced a leak from a weld joint not their leveling unit?

Could I have cracked a weld causing the leveling cylinder to leak?

Where can a person go to get one of these cylinders checked for leaks an or repaired?

RV Wizard · 07-09-2013, 02:11 AM

Any hydraulic repair shop can test the cylinder. Keep us posted.

clyon51 · 07-09-2013, 06:13 AM

I've worked on these PG jacks before. If the bottom seal and top fitting isn't leaking, then it must be a crack in the cylinder.

The only place to get PG parts is from an authorized dealer. Just a seal kit is $150! So I agree with RV Wizard, seek a hydraulic shop have tested and hopefully it can be re- welded. Good luck.

Alan17 · 07-09-2013, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clyon51

I've worked on these PG jacks before. If the bottom seal and top fitting isn't leaking, then it must be a crack in the cylinder.

The only place to get PG parts is from an authorized dealer. Just a seal kit is $150! So I agree with RV Wizard, seek a hydraulic shop have tested and hopefully it can be re- welded. Good luck.

Definitely not the seal as the leak is coming from the top area of the cylinder. The only things on the top are
1. The hydraulic fitting (not leaking)

2. One bolt that screw's into the top of the cylinder that holds the return spring mount (not leaking)

3. There is about a 2 inch thick piece of metal that resembles a hockey puck welded to the top of the cylinder to allow the spring return bracket bolt to screw into (weld could have a small crack allowing it to leak under a load)

4. The frame mount bracket is welded to the side of the cylinder in several places. (As this takes most of the load and forces I suspect that when this was welded on It may have caused a thin spot and may have cracked after years of cycles)

It is more of a slow seep of fluid and only when the weigh of the motorhome is put on it. Once the foot comes off the ground it stops leaking.

I will look up a hydraulic repair shop to see if they can determine the cause and hopefully fix. Don't really want to buy a new one. $$$$

clyon51 · 07-10-2013, 07:26 AM

Yeah, you don't want to buy a new one

. I take it you can't determine if it's coming from the 'puck' or the upper weld on the frame bracket, just that it's coming from the 'top'.

Just curious if you cleaned the cyclinder thoroughly at the onset, then put under pressure to see if you could determine the exact beginning of the seep?

Just thinking outloud, if you could determine an exact location and if that location could be thoroughly cleaned, some JB Weld could fix it for a long time for $5.

Alan17 · 07-10-2013, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clyon51

Yeah, you don't want to buy a new one

. I take it you can't determine if it's coming from the 'puck' or the upper weld on the frame bracket, just that it's coming from the 'top'.

Just curious if you cleaned the cyclinder thoroughly at the onset, then put under pressure to see if you could determine the exact beginning of the seep?

Just thinking outloud, if you could determine an exact location and if that location could be thoroughly cleaned, some JB Weld could fix it for a long time for $5.

Was not able to see it while it was mounted on the frame rail due to the tight space. I could only see that it was a small amount of fluid coming down from the top area of the cylinder.

After I got it removed I could not see where it was leaking from but I would have to surmise that it is a very small leak / crack. I would think that it would be spraying if it was a big leak under the pressure that this cylinder has on it when lifting a motorhome.