HELP Jacks won't retract.

[jtroop]

I have power gear hydraulic leveling jacks. The two rear jacks won't retract all the way. Can someone give me some suggestions on how to get the to retract? Why all of a sudden won't they retract? They aren't even a year old.

[kennersonf]

Try spraying silicone spray on the rams when they are down. Do not use WD-40, use only silcone spray. I do this quite often when on the road or when the motorhome sits for a while.

[jtroop]

I tried cleaning the chrome rods and spraying with silicon, no luck. Please, if anyone can think of what to try next, let me know. It is dark now, will try working on them tomorrow. In the meantime, I'll do some more web surfing to see if I can find the problem.

[TXiceman]

Most of the jack instruction manuals have a procedure to manually retract them. I do not have access to your manuals. Let us know what you find.

Ken

[mbrooking]

For some reason, mine would not fully retract, even after several cleanings and spraying with silicone... However pushing the manual button and then pushing retract, the jacks would come the rest of the way up. Also, it appeared that the one jack I was having trouble with, (the right rear jack), the spring was partially hanging up on the rear mudflap and u-bolt that held the jack. After resolving these issues, the problem seems to be better.

[SVTotem]

JTROOP,
If these are hydraulic jacks your manual retraction procedure will likely involve opening a relief valve on the appropriate solenoid. Doing this relieves the pressure in the system and allows you to physically push the jack up.

It gets a more complicated if the jack cylinder is damaged or slightly bent. Let's hope that is not the case. I hope you find the manual, but if not try locating the solenoid for that jack. Mine are under the entry steps.

[Buford B]

Try this link to the files you need. Hope the link works, first time I've tried it.
https://cid-51bb7c431d5e4b20.skydriv...t5XmzehNPvY%24

[njs42]

MIne have grease fittings--are yours properly greased.

Now here is my story. Mine would not retract first time out after being stored for several months first time ever in nine years. It was quite cold the morning I retracted them. I fussed with them unsucessfully but they were up high enough I could drive carefully. I decided to go to a service station----to my suprise when I arrived there, maybe a half mile, they were up all the way.

The same thing happened the next day--still cold----but i finished my 1600 mile trip. I checked the fluid level and it was fine----they worked fine in the desert where it was warmer and have worked every since. Go figure?---------any chance you can just drive around the block?

I see you are from Michigan---is it cold where you are?

[jtroop]

MY rig, purchased new didn't come with the leveling or slide out manuals. I found some PG manuals last night online but couldn't find mine. I am going to find the hydraulic line for the two rears on the control box and maybe loosen them to allow them to retract...

njs42 - It was chilly yesterday, about 43 degrees. We are suppose to get a big warmup starting tomorrow, hopefully that was the issue.

[SVTotem]

JTROOP,
On my HWH system the solenoids are attached to a manifold that sits atop the fluid reservoir. On the end of each solenoid is a 1/4 nut. That is the relief valve. They caution not to turn it more than four turns. Just needs to be loosened, not removed.

Hope PG system is similar.

[stearn]

I have a simiular problem. I has been in the shop for three weeks getting fixed! I found that putting a slight pressure using a fulcrum to help push the pad up worked. I did that so I could continue using the jacks while away from home .I was told by HWH not to leave retracting more than 5 min. Over that it can over heat the solenoid. I have mine at a WH authorized shop, and they have been talking to the Hwh techs over the past 3 weeks. Hope you have better luck !

[wa8yxm]

On the power gear when you press the "RETRACT ALL" button it turn on a timer. it holds the valves open till the timer times out.

Try again.

I can think of several reasons that the jacks might not fully retract.. Re-cleaning and lubing with silicon lub is my first suggestion.. Like the old saying If at first you don't succeed, try try again,, I'd try a maximum of 3 times (Exactly like the saying) then call for professional help.

I might add the same rule applies to starting small gas engines (pull start) if the first pull does not work on a cold engine, Try, Try again, then get profesisonal help if it's not running cause it needs a tune up.

Warm engine, it's one pull only.

[jtroop]

the Powergear touch pad part number is 140-1226. SVTotem, I'll go take a look at the manifold and find the relief valve for the rear jacks.

[PalmSprings]

Pry hydraulic foot straight up in direction of its normal retracting directio
Fortunately i was in soft enough ground. i forced a prybar under the foot using a 2 inch fulcrum(piece of 2x4. Its worked twice just fine.
Dunno what Ill do if its on concrete or asphalt.Guess Ill have to wait and see.
maybe theres a lip on the foot I havent noticed,or one could weld a little piece of steel so the prybar can pry against. it takes very little effort w/the prybar.