Community Forums

Pauldes · 09-13-2021, 06:52 PM

I have a 2004 mountain aire Motorhome and I’m having problems with one of the jacks. It goes down fine but won’t retract all the way up. If I spray it with WD40 it will work for awhile and then have to reapply more WD40. Would someone out there maybe have a permanent solution for this or has someone had a similar problem

Skip426 · 09-13-2021, 07:03 PM

If your levelers are HWH then these two pdfs may help , particularly the change up return springs .

EDIT , BTW I spray and wipe down my jacks before retracting any time they've been down for more than a week .

RKins · 09-14-2021, 05:38 AM

Another option is to make an appointment at the HWH factory in IA for rebuilding that, or all, jack(s). I plan to fit them into our next travel plans. They told me it was a days job for all 4 and you can stay the night before and after in their lot with full hookups.

Domo · 09-14-2021, 06:43 AM

WD-40 is known to leave a film that seems to attract and hold dust and dirt.

Many jack manufacturers recommend using WD-40 to CLEAN the cylinder as long as it's wiped down afterwards. After cleaning, some manufacturers recommend using a Teflon or Silicone spray. Your jack mfg may have different recommendations.

Lastly, if you have return springs, they are probably the culprit. Many owners carry a length of 2 X 4 to act as a lever to assist their jacks when they don't retract fully until they get home to change the springs.

JohnBike · 09-14-2021, 10:00 AM

I had the same problem with the HWH series 210 jacks on our 2000 MH. While I did some of the recommended fixes (WD-40, followed by a wipe-down, etc.),the problem persisted. I soon discovered, on about our third trip in the rig, that all the jacks retracted quickly, every time.
The issue has not re-appeared, so I’m of the mind that sitting unused can be a major factor. That is a typical issue with hydraulics. The shafts get dry and dirty and need to be extended and retracted often to stay clean.
When I store the rig in our community rv lot, I have a bi-weekly routine of running the engine, running the genny, and spraying critter repellant. I have added retracting the jacks and re-leveling just to keeps the jacks from binding.

PJStough · 09-14-2021, 10:34 AM

The biggest problem with HWH jacks is not that the shafts get dry and dirty, but that the seal dries out and creates excess drag. The cure is with jacks extended spray the seal liberally with WD 40, and let the the WD 40 run down the shaft, and then retract the jacks. It may take a couple of times of doing this, and perhaps letting the WD 40 soak the seal between retracting the jacks, and unless there is an internal failure in the jack, this procedure will speed up jack retraction. I have been doing this for a few years, and even with the original springs on my jacks, they all retract in less than two minutes.

TheWoodBoss · 09-14-2021, 02:44 PM

Also take a rag with wd40 and clean the seals, they pickup dust and dirt and make it hard for the jack shaft to move freely back up through the seal. Keep working them.

PJStough · 09-14-2021, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWoodBoss

Also take a rag with wd40 and clean the seals, they pickup dust and dirt and make it hard for the jack shaft to move freely back up through the seal. Keep working them.

RKins · 09-14-2021, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJStough

The biggest problem with HWH jacks is not that the shafts get dry and dirty, but that the seal dries out and creates excess drag. The cure is with jacks extended spray the seal liberally with WD 40, and let the the WD 40 run down the shaft, and then retract the jacks. It may take a couple of times of doing this, and perhaps letting the WD 40 soak the seal between retracting the jacks, and unless there is an internal failure in the jack, this procedure will speed up jack retraction. I have been doing this for a few years, and even with the original springs on my jacks, they all retract in less than two minutes.

X2 - my experience too

Bigd9 · 09-14-2021, 05:37 PM

Which WD-40???? They make about a dozen lubricating and or cleaning products. https://www.wd40.com/products/

PJStough · 09-14-2021, 06:08 PM

The original WD 40.

Ray,IN · 09-14-2021, 08:11 PM

That HWH pdf also recommends lubing the SST jack shafts with ATF then wiping off after the WD40 cleaning.
Please folks, take the time to open and read supplied links in replies. The poster isn't supplying hot links just for the exercise.
My 1999 HWH jacks are all OEM and have never caused a problem. All pertenant HWH information may be found on the HWH FAQ page and contained links.