Community Forums

TXredfish · 10-16-2010, 01:02 PM

About 4 months ago, at the campground, my driver side HWH jack would not retract. I went to the solinoid and turned the screw as instructed in the manual. The jack retracted. Upon returning home, I cleaned it with WD-40. It would retract but slower than before. It was 5 minutes compared to 30 seconds on the passenger side jack. Again about 1 week ago, the same jack would not retract. So I cleaned it again, it retracted but again about 5 minutes. The jack springs are the old style, straight spring instead of the new style tapered.
Could this be the springs? Or something else? How can I troubleshoot the solinoid or the jack itself?
I had one service tech tell me not to use WD-40 but to use PB-Blaster to clean. Another tech at another shop told me not to use PB-Blaster but to use WD-40. I also heard that HWH recommends WD40.
Any opinions on what to use for cleaning? Thanks ...................

DriVer · 10-16-2010, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXredfish

I had one service tech tell me not to use WD-40 but to use PB-Blaster to clean. Another tech at another shop told me not to use PB-Blaster but to use WD-40. I also heard that HWH recommends WD40. Any opinions on what to use for cleaning?

You know you can always swap the springs from the working jacks to the bad jack to rule out tension.

I am not going to put a lot of faith in the possibility that you have bad springs. I have a slow to retract jack but it eventually comes up and I do have the new springs. There have been posts here when folks have had to have their jack serviced to resolve that type of situation.

Try to use the Search function to see if you can use slow jack to bring up the conversations.

Jim28730 · 10-17-2010, 06:32 AM

When you clean the piston with WD-40, take a Q-tip and clean up around the seal. Gunk builds up around the exterior of the seal and can cause the jack to retract slowly. I had one slow-poke jack and cleaning the seal as described worked for me.

Remember, when you are done, wipe the WD-40 off with a clean rag. The WD-40 is for cleaning, not for lubricating the jack piston.

GaryKD · 10-17-2010, 06:40 AM

Hi TXredfish,
If all the cleaning/lubricating does not help, consider replacing the springs. In addition, cold weather will make my jacks retract much more slowly than warm weather.

progers · 10-17-2010, 01:36 PM

I recently had a similar problem. I called HWH and was advised to clean the jacks with soap and water, then use WD-40 to lubricate. I also added hydraulic oil which I discovered was 2 quarts low. Had no problems on my last trip after doing this.
Paula
2004 Allegro 35DA
Mississippi