Stuck MWH Hydro Jack

[AJack]

I have a 2002 Newmar Kountry Star, Diesel pusher, air bags, MWH Hydro Jacks, just got it a month ago. Have been out several times with no trouble. This past weekend the left front jack would not retract. It will go down but not up. Others work fine.
I followed the procedure in the manual to manually release them by turning the T handle on the back of the valve counter clockwise but with no resolve. I always put blocks under the jacks so it was far enough off the ground to drive it home. With the Jacks down warning buzzer sounding off the whole way.
I am hoping someone has an easy resolution to this.
Thanks in advance.

[danwright7]

Have you tried to raise the jack with pressure under the foot? Next you can backoff the hydraulic fitting and let out some of the fluid out. Use caution, block the wheels, front and back, go easy releasing the fitting as there could be pressure there and the oil will squirt out hard. Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes. Sounds like a stuck valve (solenoid) and can be easily picked up at a snowplow repair shop, if in fact it has an electric/hydraulic pump.

[Latitude]

Hi Jack

You need to Lube the Jack Shafts and do you have the newer type springs???

You will get a hundred different ideas and they will all work Some better than others!!!

I use (as recommended by Gary KD) Gunk Brand "Dry Lubricant" just spray it on no need to wipe off!! and It WORKS!!

Rick

[Martind4]

We had one jack that was really slow to retract so I took the scissor jack from the Grand Cherokee to help it along and stop the alarm beep. Others have used a 2 x 4 as a pry lever.
An HWH tech at one of the shows told me to use WD-40 as a solvent, spray it on, then wipe it off to prevent a buildup. With your coach being a 2002 model, you might want to replace the springs. I think you can buy direct from HWH, replacement it easy, do a search on this forum for some neat tips.

Good luck!

[FleetMan]

I had a bad jack solenoid one time, opening the pressure release screw/"T" handle did nothing. I "cracked" the hydraulic line for the affected jack at the manifold and spring pressure retracted the jack. Have plenty of rags if you have to resort to that measure because it does get messy. It may be a last resort measure but it works and you do not have to endure the warning chime.

[Jackm]

FleetMan has the right idea. If opening the solenoid valve doesn't lift the jack, disconnect the hose (that's opposite the solenoid valve that controls the problem jack). This will normally do the trick. If it doesn't, you most likely have a bad jack.

Jack

[tmspoon]

I had a jack on my old Itasca that wouldn't retract after it had been down for more than a few hours. Tried lubing the shaft, replaced the springs, didn't help. Finally started carrying a long section of pipe and just pried it back up. Never did find out what was causing the problem but at least we didn't have to listen to the damn bell for hours at a time.

[EngineerMike]

Backing the T-handle out should open the needle valve, but since you are doing that and the jack still doesn't come up, I agree w/the previous posters that an aggressive lube job on the jack shaft should be a first round attempt. If that doesn't work, its a bad jack and needs to be rebuilt or replaced.

[AJack]

That's what I get for reading the instructions. According to the book the 2nd from the front was supposed to be the LF jack. Was working on it last night trying some of your suggestions, nothing worked. Cracking the line was the last resort.
I deceided to open all the T valves and ureka, the LF rose when I opened the 3rd from the front. I guess the moral is try them all if your not sure.
I haven't had the guts to cycle them down, guess I must.
Thanks for all your suggestions and moral support.
Keep your powder dry.

[Brigadoon]

Ajack,

I've had the same problem with both of my rear jacks- due to weakend springs. We've been on the road the last 6 months and have not had a chance to get new springs, therefore, I went to Walmart and purchased a 6 ton scissor jack ($18) to push the jack up into place.

So the proceedure is this. Activate your store button and do some other chores while the jacks are retracting. Then get out your scissor jack and jack-up the offending jack(s). Note that the system has to be left in the on position while doing this. Let the system turn itself off and you are ready to go.

Now that I'm back in FL for the winter, I'll get new springs and replace them.

Hope this helps.