427435
Rochester, Mn
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Joined: 11/12/2005
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I've had one jack that has been a chronic problem sticking down and needing to be pried up. Sometimes it goes up and sometimes it doesn't. I've tried wiping the rod with ATF, WD40, and PB Blaster. The PB Blaster made it much worse while the ATF may have helped a little.
Someone posted a year or more ago that these cylinders aren't typical one-way rams that have a dry cylinder end, but allow oil to get to the bottom of the cylinder. I also suspect there are some bushings on the bottom of the cylinder to carry side load from the ram when it is fully extended. I think these bushings may dry out and cause the binding.
So..............I've tried extending the problem cylinder so that it contacts the ground (or floor of my shed) and then extend it just another inch or two. That puts a little pressure on the oil at the bottom of the cylinder and pushes it into the bushing area. But it doesn't put too much side load on those bushings like would happen if the ram were fully extended-------which might keep the oil out.
After leaving it sit with the cylinder slightly extended for several days, it now works fine.
Your experience may be different, but it worked for me.
Mark
2000 Itasca Suncruiser 35U on a Ford chassis, 74,000 miles
2003 Ford Explorer toad with Ready Brake supplemental brakes,
Ready Brute tow bar, and Demco base plate.
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FIRE UP
Ramona, CA. USA
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Joined: 03/08/2004
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425435,
Well Sir, I too have that almost exact same problem. My right rear "sometimes" has tendency to stick just a bit when it's retracting. It stays out about 1-2". I have to force it back up the rest of the way. But, the next time I use the levelers, they all go down as usual, and they all go right back up, ALL THE WAY, as they should.
So, I too might have to try your remedy to see if it can help that problem jack.
Scott
Scott and Karla
SDFD RETIRED
2004 Itasca Horizon, 36GD Slate Blue 330 CAT
2011 White Honda CRV EX-L,4WD w/NAV Toad
2008 Caliente Red LVL II GL 1800 Goldwing
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Executive
California/Arizona/South Dakota
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Joined: 02/07/2008
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Never use anything but ATF on your jacks.....Dennis
Dennis and Debi
Monaco Executive M-45PBQ Quad Slide
525HP Cummins ISM 6 Spd Allison
Chevy HHR W/ ReadyBrute
Fourth Year Full Timing Click here to view our travel blog
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dougrainer
Carrolton, Texas
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Joined: 06/11/2007
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HWH Rams are IMMERSED in ATF when retracted. The ONLY fix for a sticking cylinder is replacing or having the cylinder rebuilt. The inside upper seal is bad. The TEST for a sticking seal is---Extend the jacks for 24 hours THEN retract. IF you have a defective seal, that cylinder will stick. No amount of lube or cleaning will keep the problem away. It will work for awhile, but will start sticking again. Like I have posted previously, IF there was any other fix, HWH would NOT replace cylinders under warranty when this happens under warranty. Doug
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Williamh
Southeastern Virginia
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Joined: 06/09/2002
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I have a 2004 Southwind 37C with the Power Gear jacks and sometimes have the same problem with the rear jacks not coming all the way up when retracted. Usually, I will put them down again and almost all of the time, they come all of the way up. Even though, ocassionally I will put some silicone spray on them and that helps too. Its always my rear jacks that I have problems with, never the front.
William
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theoldman
S.E. Ohio
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Joined: 08/29/2009
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ONE MORE TIME " Never use anything but ATF on your jacks"
'Dream as if you'll live forever, Live as if you'll die today'
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dougrainer
Carrolton, Texas
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Joined: 06/11/2007
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Williamh wrote:I have a 2004 Southwind 37C with the Power Gear jacks and sometimes have the same problem with the rear jacks not coming all the way up when retracted. Usually, I will put them down again and almost all of the time, they come all of the way up. Even though, ocassionally I will put some silicone spray on them and that helps too. Its always my rear jacks that I have problems with, never the front.
William
Check for a Grease ZIRC on the bottom side collar of your jacks. Most PG jacks have that Zirc to inject lube into the collar to stop sticking jacks. The seal rebuild kits for PG come with a new collar and the Zirc. Doug
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seahunter 1
Canmore Alberta
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Joined: 03/19/2011
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what is ATF ?
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Z71 4x4
Palmdale, CA
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Joined: 08/17/2006
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Automatic Transmission Fluid
or
Alcohol Tobacco Firearms
I would use the trans fluid first before trying anything from the second category. 
2011 Allegro 35QBA 
2007.5 GMC, LMM D/A, Crew Cab, Z71 4x4, Long Box
2004 KTM525 Exc
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J Walker
Oakton, Va
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Joined: 06/12/2003
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Ditto automatic transmission fluid as recommended by HWH. Applying it to the piston occasionally makes all the difference and saves going through the effort and expense of replacing the piston.
Jim Walker
2000 34' Damon Ultrasport DP
2009 Malibu
Brake Buddy
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