It appears that one of the cylinders on my leveling system is leaking. It is a Kwikee Level Best, though I can't find it now I believe it is the 3000 model. Since I don't have a local dealership and the local shop is a tad expensive and slow I'll likely have to do the repair myself. Not to worry, I am a qualified aircraft hydraulic mechanic. My question for this knowledgeable crew is: Is there a cylinder re-pack kit available? Oh, yeah I drive a 2008 Winnebago Chalet (Sightseer). Thanks for your help.
Find a local hydraulics shop, many of the cylinder components are generic.
I just repacked two cylinders on a 20 year old Bobcat Drive on Trencher. I took in old parts and they matched them up.
Did the same for a 50 year old Clark Forklift. Repacked two tilt cylinders.
They were probably cheaper too.
Wheezerjeeper,
Although the ones I rebuilt were on our Bounder, the principle is all the same. It was an easy fix/repair. The hardest part is getting the Jack off the frame. Those things can be a bit heavy, as in around 50-70 lbs. Just be careful when you're about to take out the last bolt that holds it on. If possible, have a friend under there with you to help.
I don't know how your jacks are put together but, mine, on the Bounder, which were Power Gear, are very easy to take apart, rebuild and re-assemble. Power Gear, back then, was good to private consumers. In that, they'd send the exact rebuild kits and instructions for the total job. Well, since then, they've turned bad. They won't help the private person any more, you have to go to a dealer to get the parts etc.
But, on yours, all you may have to do is, take them apart, find out what the specs are on the seals, and order up some more. I'm sure you already know this but, make sure your cylinder is in good shape. Use some emery cloth or equivalent to smooth out any chips or problems before re-assembly. Take care.
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 KI60ND
UPDATE! I received a reply from Kwikee and they confirm that I will have to replace the cylinder. So today I stabilized my MH with mobile home piers until I can work this through. I took a closer look while I was under it today. I may be in trouble as I couldn't find a way to disassemble the thing. I'll post when I come up with a solution. Thanks for your replies and suggestions.
I have the same system on a 2006 Sightseer and my front left jack was leaking. No they are not rebuild able, they are welded together. I ended up getting a new jack from Lichtsinn Motors. Cost was about $400 with shipping. They needed my vin number because there were 3 different jack used for my year. Replacement was easy, only problem I had was getting the foot off the old jack. It appeared they used some kind of lock tight on it. Had to take it over to the race shop and use the 550 foot pound torque impact wrench on it. What worries me is 5 years down the road will anyone have a replacement jack since the company is out of business.
Custom Cylinders website wrote: This cylinders design was originally designed in 1989 for the leveling systems used on RV motor homes. Companies that have used this cylinders design include Hughes Leveling Systems, Stetson Products, Kwikee Products, Equalizer Systems, The Jack Company, and other non-RV companies. Bore sizes are 2 1/2" and 3", non-repairable, feature heavy duty seals, heavy chrome plate on the piston rod, and stroke lengths from 8" to 30". This design has a heavy duty 16 hole mounting plate that is welded to the cylinder. The rod assembly does not allow any rotation in the operating cycle, and the rod end has a 3/4-10 threaded hole or a simple cross hole in the end for mounting a landing pad. Known RV motor homes that have used this design are National, Gulf Stream, Fleetwood, and Winnebago.
The problem I ran into was they were not willing to sell that cylinder to me. They took my dimensions, sent them to their design department and gave me a quote for designing and fabricating a custom cylinder for me - over $500 each. For that price I may as well order them from Kwikee.
I need a 3" bore with a 15" stroke. I'm going to shop around to see if any repair shop is willing to cut the bottom open and weld on a threaded, serviceable seal cap in place of it. It's ridiculous they don't make these things so they can be repaired.
My jack was bent. Only way was to replace it. Jack was crimped at the rod seal no way to repair it. New jack was UPS to me in Florida from California $1000.00 for part with shipping. Used springs and foot plate from old one.
rebel
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