HWH Jacks Retract

[wurdz]

My leveling jacks are not retracting. But occasionally they do. Randomly they work. They go down without fail. But they randomly do work to release and retract to come back up. HWH 325 series on 2004 W Adventurer 33V.

Can you offer some advice? Please watch this video.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/85zrk3tg2ibzgpl/Video%20Oct%2015%202022%2C%204%2021%2028%20PM.mov? dl=0

Thanks!!!

[Ray,IN]

Two things I can think of; first HWH says to either have the motor running, or be connected to shore power. HWH requires good, high 12VDC to operate properly.
Next, the random retract might be due to a sticky HWH shuttle-valve.

Do you have this downloaded? HWH 325 service manual

[NLOVNIT]

I don't read you hear an engine running. My engine has to be running to work my HWH.

[donr103]

What I found on mine.. is the hydraulic arm has a wiper seal .. it's very recess .. you have to get under.. use all safety precautions.. to see it.. and mine were packed with yrs of crud.. so I used small wire brushes and a lot of penetrating oil.. or wd-40.. about 1 to 2 cans per arm.. and a lot of shop rags .. gently clean recess area up.. clean each arm.. while down.. wipe off any surface rust.. check for pitting.. sand if needed.. 800 grit plus.. or steel wool is better.. then I went a head.. to my favorite online store and ordered new springs.. that did it for me.. my 1st thought was shuttle valve.. but when I saw the price.. I figured just as well.. do basic maintenance 1st.. and on my system.. you can hear hydraulic pump when you extend levelers.. but only the spring pressure pulls them up.. so no.. my motor does not run.. takes about 1 day for each arm.. just to clean.. so don't rush.. some members suggest that they are stainless steel.. and cannot rust.. not mine.. to just casually look under.. there was only light rust on springs .. none on arms.. but when you got close and with a headlight.. there was some..
I have read here.. that you are supposed to spray wd-40 on them twice or so a yr.. I have mine down.. nearly all yr.. so I wipe them down with heavy Greece to help protect them.. then clean off.. when heading out.. but that is just me.. oh.. just remember.. there are tronions on each ram.. they don't have grease zerks.. but they get packed with crud.. and need packing with any axle grease .. you will see them.. Hugh difference.. and just as well.. inspect fitting for tightness.. not too tight.. and hoses.. I found 2 of mine spilt.. cheaper if you just take to local hydraulic hose shop and get made.. 1/2 price of factory.. I would expect a shop to charge a weeks labor if you can even find someone..
Good luck and keep us posted

[wurdz]

Thanks for the tips everyone. I’m going to try cleaning the shuttle valve tomorrow. I’ll post back what I discover.

[Ray,IN]

DO NOT use any abrasive on HWH stainless steel shafts! They are highly polished to a mirror finish. Any roughening of them will cause faster deterioration of the wiper seals.
WD40 or ATF for a cleaner, then wipe dry with a clean rag.

[Duner]

Ya, it's probably that damn expensive shuttle valve. I've had to replace mine many years ago. You can try to clean out like I did and it may improve for a while, but if its worn out, you just have to replace it. Could be just dirt or pieces of worn rubber o-rings. It's a messy job.

AZpete is the HWH expert on this forum, you should get his opinion first. It could be an intermittent electrical problem too.

Paul Maddox put a million miles on his Winnebago's working for HWH at MH rallies. 602-549-3638 or pfmaddox@att.net

Good luck and let us know the outcome,
Bill

[Onyrlef]

Originally Posted by donr103

What I found on mine.. is the hydraulic arm has a wiper seal .. it's very recess .. you have to get under.. use all safety precautions.. to see it.. and mine were packed with yrs of crud.. so I used small wire brushes and a lot of penetrating oil.. or wd-40.. about 1 to 2 cans per arm.. and a lot of shop rags .. gently clean recess area up.. clean each arm.. while down.. wipe off any surface rust.. check for pitting.. sand if needed.. 800 grit plus.. or steel wool is better.. then I went a head.. to my favorite online store and ordered new springs.. that did it for me.. my 1st thought was shuttle valve.. but when I saw the price.. I figured just as well.. do basic maintenance 1st.. and on my system.. you can hear hydraulic pump when you extend levelers.. but only the spring pressure pulls them up.. so no.. my motor does not run.. takes about 1 day for each arm.. just to clean.. so don't rush.. some members suggest that they are stainless steel.. and cannot rust.. not mine.. to just casually look under.. there was only light rust on springs .. none on arms.. but when you got close and with a headlight.. there was some..
I have read here.. that you are supposed to spray wd-40 on them twice or so a yr.. I have mine down.. nearly all yr.. so I wipe them down with heavy Greece to help protect them.. then clean off.. when heading out.. but that is just me.. oh.. just remember.. there are tronions on each ram.. they don't have grease zerks.. but they get packed with crud.. and need packing with any axle grease .. you will see them.. Hugh difference.. and just as well.. inspect fitting for tightness.. not too tight.. and hoses.. I found 2 of mine spilt.. cheaper if you just take to local hydraulic hose shop and get made.. 1/2 price of factory.. I would expect a shop to charge a weeks labor if you can even find someone..
Good luck and keep us posted

X2, I was having trouble with my spring retract levelers acting erratically and in trouble shooting only became aware they need to be lubed and the shafts cleaned and sprayed with lubricant every 20 cycles. So far after doing so they've been functioning like an eight day clock.

[jerrybb]

I don't think it's your shuttle valve, I've replaced two on two MHs and they just made the slides go really slow but a dirty ram will really slow it down on the retract. WD 40 really helps.

[wurdz]

Update: it was the shuttle valve. I was able to remove the shuttle valve and clean it with MAF cleaner. I thoroughly cleaned it inside and out and reinstalled and it works as smooth as butter. 🧈 Thanks for your help!

[jerichorick]

Originally Posted by wurdz

My leveling jacks are not retracting. But occasionally they do. Randomly they work. They go down without fail. But they randomly do work to release and retract to come back up. HWH 325 series on 2004 W Adventurer 33V.

Can you offer some advice? Please watch this video.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/85zrk3tg2i...%20PM.mov?dl=0

Thanks!!!

I'm not certain what you are doing in the video. Once you start the retract cycle you need to wait for up to 20 minutes (if I recall HWH instructions correctly) for the jacks to retract.

When I have a jack hang up I manually extend it some and spray it with WD40 or CRC Power Lube with PTFE.
If the shuttle valve is the problem it is easy to replace. There are good instructions on line for doing the job.
These folks are great in helping find problems with HWH products and have a good supply of parts on hand. (HWH Replacement Parts - Stuart's Services)

[Bogus JK]

In cold weather, my jacks take a long time to retract, but eventually they will. The power needs to be on and the retract all selected, but the engine can be off at that point. I have on several occasions had to give the rear jacks some help by using a long board as a lever to get them moving when they freeze half way up. I keep the jacks clean using a light oil, and grease the wiper seal at least every year, depending on how much use they had. Don’t use abrasives in the polished surface of the pistons.

[Our05Winneba]

You may have a loose power connector going into the upper RH backside of the main circuit board - the one you can see behind the clear plexiglass cover.

Last year when my jacks & slides started acting weird - including a main slide which would not retract - I ended up talking with an HWH tech (who was VERY helpful), and his 1st suggestion was to check this connector - because they can work loose.

So I did and it immediately fixed the problem. So try checking your connector. The power is delivered to the circuit board via a square, 4 prong plug which comes in from behind the upper RH backside of the circuit board. You can see the inner plug when looking through the clear cover - it should have 2 red wires and 2 white wires coming out, feeding the circuit board.

[donr103]

Keep in mind.. my jacks are 22yrs old.. and I am 2nd owner.. she was a park queen for 15yrs and jacks down most of time.. so they needed a little extra love.. but glad you got it.. Will keep in mind about shuttle valve.. if any one does clean like me.. please be very careful.. and gentle ..
Good luck and keep us posted