Community Forums

Backyarder · 08-02-2022, 05:49 PM

Ok I have a problem with my right rear leveling jack. It does not hold up my RV for long. I used a marker and drew a line on the the jack cylinder and over a one hour period the line disappears (the jack creeps down). I checked the whole system for external leaks but everything is dry. So my question is can the jack have a internal leak causing fluid to bypass and cause the jack to leak down? Has anyone else run into this problem? I'm thinking I could go out and buy a gauge and some fittings and shut off valve and install it between the jack and hydraulic line and if pressure drops it would tell me if I have a bad jack or a leak somewhere else in the system, I would prefer not purchase a gauge and fittings if someone else has run into this before. Also can the jack be rebuilt or does it have to be replaced if that's the problem?

Cougarkid · 08-02-2022, 06:01 PM

The jacks can be rebuilt. HWH can do them. Others, too, I believe.

Might check out the valves at the motor/pump. That one could be leaking pressure. Also, it might have wiggled loose a bit. They are also used to manually raise the jacks if a problem occurs.

Cougarkid · 08-02-2022, 06:03 PM

BTW, the valves have “T” handles on them.

Backyarder · 08-03-2022, 07:32 AM

Thanks Mike I checked the solenoids they are tight. I have replaced the Rf solenoid a few years back it kept blowing the fuse. I suspect the RR jack is leaking internally just not sure if that is possible, and was wondering if anybody has had this happen to them. I guess the only way to find out is to install gauge and shut off valve.

BCam · 08-03-2022, 07:48 AM

In terms of diagnosing the problem, I suggest you contact Paul Maddox, aka azpete. Paul is an HWH employee and IRV2.com member who has helped out a number of us. He publishes his contact information. You could send him a PM, but he publishes his phone number (602-549-3638) and direct email address, either of which might be faster: pfmaddox@att.net

For what it's worth, when my slide was creeping out, it was a bad retract solenoid valve. While I was at it, I had the extend solenoid valve replaced as well. In my case this was a good idea, the mobile tech told me both of the old ones were pretty contaminated with crud.

I wasn't able to get new solenoid valves from HWH, but Stuart's Service in Elkhart, IN, had them:

HWH Replacement Parts - Stuart's Services

They were great to deal with over the phone.

Backyarder · 08-03-2022, 06:03 PM

I'll contact Paul and see what he thinks Thanks Bob!

Backyarder · 08-11-2022, 07:50 AM

Thanks Bob I contact Paul and this is what he said. If there aren't any external leaks, you need to replace the hydraulic solenoid. its leaking internally. the jack can't leak internally, because it only has pressure on the extend side. since its spring retract, there is no pressure on the retract side. a leaking jack will have fluid on the silver rod.
My wife figured we bought more than one solenoid when we had trouble with the RF jack years back and sure enough I had another on in the RV. I decided before I replaced it I would build a tool to hold the solenoid and a tool to unscrew the solenoid.
After taking the solenoid apart I relized there is not to it. The winding would be the only only big problem if it went bad. Other than that there is a couple of o'rings and square cut seals. I did notice that the end of the solenoid was made of aluminum and it is adjustable so I made it a little tighter so the needle point of the rod would push harder and deeper into th seat to seal up hydrualic pressure.
I had some green AC o'rings which were the right size so I replaced them.so I think that the rod to end cap has to be checked as it will wear over time and is most likely the main cause of the jack seeping down. Of coarse the o'rings will have to replace once solenoid has been removed. I left the jacks down overnight and the jacks held the RV up perfectly.
Thanks Bob and Thanks Paul will save me alot of money in the future.