Community Forums

Bill WA6YBD · 08-12-2018, 04:19 PM

HI,

I have a 2005 Dolphin 5342 with Lippert / Power Gear Hydraulic Jacks. The front right jack has developed a leak. I can tie a rag around the piston and soak the rag with brake fluid run the jack up and down a couple of time and get the seal to expand and stop the leak for awhile. But the leak appears to be getting worse and its time to rebuild the jack. There are several jacks available and they all look the same. Does anyone know which jacks were used on this coach. My jacks have an external spring. Once I am sure of the model I will get a rebuild kit or at least new o-rings.

Has anyone rebuilt their jack?

Thanks,

~Bill

Rook · 08-12-2018, 04:29 PM

Have you tried "transmission stop-leak"....I did and it worked. Rook

Bill WA6YBD · 08-13-2018, 07:22 AM

Hi Rook,

Not yet, waiting to hear how many people have had success using stop leak. I have also read steering stop leak can also be used. I am not a fan of stop leak stuff I am more a replace the seal but that was in my younger years. Fortunately I have a much younger son-in-law who is a mechanical engineer and loves to get his hands dirty. So when it come time to rebuild he will be here with bells on. Brake fluid on a rag swells the seals but doesn't last as long as it once did. I may have something on the shaft because it seems to only leak when the jack is in a certain position. Not sure I want to have stop leak in the entire system unless I can be sure it will not do any harm.

Two weekends ago we (my son-in-law and I) removed the passenger side window, completely disassembled the window then separated each window, cleaned and replaced the seals and internal spacers. Had 2 of the 3 windows fogging up. I guess all the seals are beginning to go.

Flanz · 08-13-2018, 03:36 PM

Fix it the right way and don’t bother with a stop leak product.

I had a 2000 SeaView and rebuilt both of my front jack legs, piece of cake to do. This is what I did. Drop the leaking jack leg, part number should be on it. Go to the Power Gear web site and pull all documents related to your system, especially the document for tearing down the jack leg. Once apart, take the leg to a hydraulic shop and have then measure the leg and the O-Rings and by two sets. Rebuild and install leg...

I did this on our NRV coach and I think it cost me about 12$’s per leg. Took me about 5hrs/leg start to finish.

FredV · 08-13-2018, 06:39 PM

Most trans stop leak products are only a temporary fix and I wouldn't trust them with the kind of presures that the hydraulic system exerts. I strongly recommend taking the cylinder to a quality rebuilder. Check with a trusted auto service center who they use for service on their hydraulic equipment. I do 98% of my own repairs however certain jobs should be done by qualified proffesionals who know what to look for and have the equipment.

John Wayne · 08-18-2018, 04:35 PM

Any place that rebuilds hydraulic equipment will be able to get the seals and o rings you need or can tell you where they get there parts from. Pull the jack apart take the seals and o rings to parts store and they can match them. My son and I have rebuilt 3 of them just take the parts to the store and they match them up and your on your way. download the manual on rebuilding them.
Or drop the jack take it to a Hydraulic shop and they will rebuild it for around 100.00

Bill WA6YBD · 08-26-2018, 09:02 AM

Thanks all for the replies.

Just got back from a trip and no leaks on the jack. My temporary fix using brake fluid externally on the piston ram worked but I know it is only a matter of time before the leak will return.

I really do not want to add any foreign fluids to the system. I think I will rebuild the jack ASAP as that is the only true repair.

~Bill