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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: David and Rita on May 24, 2019, 11:00:59 pm

Title: Slide operation manually?
Post by: David and Rita on May 24, 2019, 11:00:59 pm
 Hello all, I have a situation that I may need help with. I have a 40' 2004 U320, with an East West bed set up. I just pulled into my spot in Wilcox Arizona. Went to push the slides out, they went out. Then as I was walking around the coach I noticed underneath the bedroom slide a pool of hydraulic fluid.  And now the slide will not retract. I checked the fluid level in the electronics bay and it looks like it's quite empty.  So my first question is, is there a way to manually get the slide in. Question number 2, if I was to refill the reservoir, could I possibly get it to come in one time, before it all leaks out? And if that's the case what type of hydraulic fluid do I need?
It's Friday night we just pulled in, but we need to leave by Sunday evening. We're on private property for an event that ends Sunday evening. 
Any help would be appreciated, thank you.
Title: Re: Slid operation manually?
Post by: David and Rita on May 24, 2019, 11:31:18 pm
I have found a nice puddle of fluid under the bed, Been cleaning that for a bit. At least I know where the problem generated from.
Title: Re: Slid operation manually?
Post by: DavidS on May 24, 2019, 11:31:31 pm
First thing is to find the leak. If the billet aluminum pressure box on the ceiling in one of the bays.. it's a rubber seal and an easy fix.. if it was a pressure line.. probably easy just not as easy as the seal ..if you can't figure it out. You can get the manual and relieve the pressure off the solenoid and it will creep in possibly.. if not.. refill and give it a try.. I'll look for the pic of the billet box.
Title: Re: Slid operation manually?
Post by: David and Rita on May 24, 2019, 11:46:51 pm
 I have found the leak. It appears to be the hose feeding or returning the fluid to the cylinder. The cylinders encased in an  aluminum housing underneath the bed. The good news is I'm at a auto sports event, and many of the people here are mechanics, I am not. If there's a way to relieve the pressure and manually push it in I've got plenty of manpower to do that. Next week I have an appointment with East Valley RV specialist in Mesa Arizona to have some things looked at. They are an HWH authorize  Service representative. So I guess they'll be working on this. My big concern is as long as I can get this slide back in and drive the coach home I'll be happy. I got two days to figure it out. And drive my sporty car around the track.
Title: Re: Slid operation manually?
Post by: Carol & Scott on May 25, 2019, 12:17:52 am
Please take a picture of the area that is leaking if you can see it and post it so others can see.  i would guess you will get some responses.

Might be as easy as having a local Hyd. shop make a hose for you.  Not difficult to do if you have access.

Take a look at this:  https://www.hwhcorp.com/ml57000-000.html

Yes - the slide can be manually pushed in.  Probably 4 to 5 guys in the back of a pick up truck. 

Our PO attached anchors in the floor that a come-a-long can be attached to pull in. 

Good luck.  :D 
Title: Re: Slid operation manually?
Post by: David and Rita on May 25, 2019, 12:46:30 am
OK I figured it out here's a picture. Right where I'm pointing is Where the leak is coming from, I believe this is where the hydraulic cylinder is Inside the beam marked HWH.
Title: Re: Slid operation manually?
Post by: John S on May 25, 2019, 08:26:21 am
I do know that the hoses all have to be the same length if you are making one. 
Title: Re: Slide operation manually?
Post by: David and Rita on May 25, 2019, 09:35:30 am
I will probably not be do this work myself.  I'm just hoping I can figure out how to get the slides in before tomorrow afternoon.
 Although once I get it home, I'll have a hard look and if I can do the work myself, I will. I know where to go to get hoses made for hydraulics. I'm not quite there yet.

Title: Re: Slide operation manually?
Post by: SteveB on May 25, 2019, 01:31:50 pm
HWH Emergency Retract Room Procedures (http://beamalarm.com/Documents/hwh/hwh-emergency-retract-room-procedure.html)

This may help..
Title: Re: Slide operation manually?
Post by: AC7880 on May 25, 2019, 04:30:36 pm
Getting the slide in is step one.

Step 2 is making very sure it will STAY in during travel and not move outward
Title: Re: Slide operation manually?
Post by: David and Rita on May 26, 2019, 11:59:17 am
Making progress here, I'm going to be capping off the hoses that feed the cylinder that moves the slide in and out. So that I can then fill the hydraulic reservoir and get the living room slide in.
Does anyone know how much hydraulic fluid in the reservoir takes?  According to the four travel technician I spoke with yesterday, he told me ATF transmission fluid and so I bought 5 quarts. Will that be enough?
Title: Re: Slide operation manually?
Post by: DavidS on May 26, 2019, 12:57:08 pm
My tank holds about 2 gal.. I think. If you don't have enough .. it should be enough to get you going. System is self bleeding also
Title: Re: Slide operation manually?
Post by: rbark on May 26, 2019, 01:08:11 pm
David, your vent cap on top of your oil tank should have a mark on it for the level, along with a placard. Make sure you know which slide mechanism you have as the procedures are different for each one. It should be in the HWH guide for maintenance.
Title: Re: Slide operation manually?
Post by: rbark on May 26, 2019, 01:10:33 pm
Forgot the picture.
 Our coaches should have the same set up.
Title: Re: Slide operation manually?
Post by: SteveB on May 26, 2019, 02:59:10 pm
Remember that when a cylinder is extended it uses fluid from the reservoir and when it is retracted that fluid
then flows back into the resoirvoir. I have seen where fluid was added to the reservoir while cylinders where extended and then the reservoir runs out of space when retracted causing it to overflow. It can make a very big mess if you are not careful. Always check the reservoir level when the slide rooms and/or jacks are retracted.
Title: Re: Slide operation manually?
Post by: AC7880 on May 26, 2019, 05:23:14 pm
Technical Help - Slides (http://www.beamalarm.com/foretravel-links/Slides.html)

**** Room Positioning for Checking Oil Level in the HWH Hydraulic Reservoir (http://www.beamalarm.com/Documents/room_positioning_for_checking_oil_level_in_the_hwh_hydraulic_reservoir.html) 

HWH Emergency Retract Room Procedures (http://www.beamalarm.com/Documents/hwh/hwh-emergency-retract-room-procedure.html)