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Dreamacre · 05-15-2020, 06:52 AM

Hoping this is easy fix- Tucking coach in at storage lot 2 weeks ago, on my walk around, noticed hydraulic fluid leaking out of bottom of main slide above basement door. We were in a hurry so I figured I would address it later. It was slowly running down top of basement door. Possible hose on ceiling of basement? Any ideas? Thank you. 2002 MDDS

Old Scout · 05-15-2020, 07:07 AM

….hose connections for main slide are all on the passenger side--"assume" your leak is on the driver's side.....unfortunately, the ram end seal[s] on the hydraulic cylinder[s] can leak and run out the end of the slide support arm[s]….the cylinders are buried inside the support arms....on my 2003, I had one that has leaked but eventually quit, might have been due to long periods of low/non-use????.... depending on model and year of Alpine--rams can be a major effort to remove and fix....

Dreamacre · 05-15-2020, 07:58 AM

Thank you for the reply. Do you think the slide will still function without this 1 ram, or will all the hydraulic fluid run out?

Alpine36 · 05-15-2020, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreamacre

Thank you for the reply. Do you think the slide will still function without this 1 ram, or will all the hydraulic fluid run out?

The slide should still function with a ram leak...unless it's completely failed and gushing oil.
Be sure to check the fluid level in the HWH reservoir as per the owners manual. Then run it and monitor the situation. Good luck.

wolfe10 · 05-15-2020, 08:29 AM

Just a question:

If hydraulic pressure does bleed off, won't that allow that end of the slide to "creep" out?

It is my understanding that hydraulic pressure is used to keep the slide IN when it is stowed.

Old Scout · 05-15-2020, 11:24 AM

Brett has it exactly right--slide is held in place by hydraulic pressure....mine was a small leak and only one of the two rams was leaking so I didn't experience slide creep....as also stated, rams will continue to work but it will be messy and you will need to refill reservoir from time to time.....

Generally, the rear main slide ram is easier to R&R....rams have to be removed from passenger side, so the front one is often inside HWH pump compartment and the outside fenders/door frame gets in the way....exact location may vary by year and model....

azpete · 05-17-2020, 03:27 PM

with the slide retracted, hit the retract side of the switch. hold for four or five seconds. this pressures up the retract side so the slide will go out evenly.
when the slide is extended, and it leaks down, hit the extend side, and that pressures up the extend side, then it will retract evenly. sound slightly off? try it. it works.
lastly, get it fixed. it wont last long.
paul maddox
i work for hwh corp. i do not solicit part sales or service work on this forum.