Re: Six pack left front not raising Reply #25 – January 29, 2021, 05:39:56 pm The strange thing is that the OP reports his driver side front bags do inflate partially, but not quite enough to insert the safety stand. This would seem to indicate that air pressure is being directed down the correct air line going to the bags, but is somehow being reduced in pressure and/or volume compared to the other corners.This is a very curious symptom to correlate with any possible case of electrical mis-wiring or mis-routing of air lines.I was trying to think of a purely mechanical problem that would cause this behavior, like perhaps a dead cat body stuck between the suspension members and preventing full air bag extension. I suppose somebody would have noticed that... I am out of ideas, and will be very curious to learn the eventual solution to this mystery. Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Six pack left front not raising Reply #26 – January 29, 2021, 06:23:54 pm Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – January 29, 2021, 05:39:56 pmI was trying to think of a purely mechanical problem that would cause this behavior, like perhaps a dead cat body stuck between the suspension members and preventing full air bag extension. Chuck,You bring up a good point if mechanical it could be one of the trailing are mount bolts that is locked up on the bushing that side. This would cause a loss of travel.Mike Quote Selected
Re: Six pack left front not raising Reply #27 – January 29, 2021, 07:23:11 pm Could it be the check valve in the HWH manifold at the air inlet? Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Six pack left front not raising Reply #28 – January 29, 2021, 07:32:31 pm If the above suggestions fail to remedy your issue, and this may sound redundant but, double check that you removed ALL the safety stands from the right side suspension, front and rear. If a right side stand was forgotten it could cause the, normally closed, right front pressure switch to send a ground signal to the controller, due to low pressure on that side (below 10PSI). That would inhibit further lowering of the right AND further raising of the left. Greg Quote Selected
Re: Six pack left front not raising Reply #29 – January 29, 2021, 08:15:45 pm Like John said it could be the check valve. I had one do that. Quote Selected
Re: Six pack left front not raising Reply #30 – January 31, 2021, 08:07:20 pm I believed I have uncovered the problem with the left side air springs only partially inflating after installing the re-build kit.Short answer, raise plunger was not opening because the armature mechanic (namely me) put two springs on the left side raise plunger.The rest of the story. Messed with if for hours. With the DW pushing the button, the end of the plunger was magnetic, so seemed everything was okay. Ended up removing the entire six pack and bring back home to test. Using a 12v battery and short wire leads, energized each coil to ensure each one worked. Got an audible click from the plunger retracting on all but the left raise. Swapped solenoids with known good one and same issue. Removed plunger and all seemed to move freely. Put old plunger back in and it worked. Took old plunger out and compared. Noticed spring looked different and thought maybe the kit accidentally included an odd, stronger spring. Then I recalled when I was installing them, I was missing one spring. Assuming Tom mis-counted, I put the old spring back on one of the plungers. However, two of the springs were coiled together into one nice, neat little package. An astute person might have noticed but I did not and installed the "double strength" spring. Removed one of the springs and re-installed the new plunger. Will not have time to re-install the six pack until next week, but pretty confident the left side raise problem is resolved. Might have an issue with the right side dump, but will report back after I can re-install.Thanks again everyone for your assistance and hope others will learn from my half-witted mistake. Quote Selected 10 Likes
Re: Six pack left front not raising Reply #31 – January 31, 2021, 08:21:05 pm Quote from: DayDreamer – January 31, 2021, 08:07:20 pmI believed I have uncovered the problem with the left side air springs only partially inflating after installing the re-build kit.Short answer, raise plunger was not opening because the armature mechanic (namely me) put two springs on the left side raise plunger.Thanks again everyone for your assistance and hope others will learn from my half-witted mistake.I believe you meant to say "I learned something about spring strength and wanted to share". Kudos for finding the problem and more importantly sharing the solution Quote Selected 2 Likes
Re: Six pack left front not raising Reply #32 – January 31, 2021, 08:45:15 pm Quote from: Michelle – January 31, 2021, 08:21:05 pmI believe you meant to say "I learned something about spring strength and wanted to share". Kudos for finding the problem and more importantly sharing the solution That is exactly what I meant to say! Sounds so much more positive. Quote Selected 2 Likes
Re: Six pack left front not raising Reply #33 – January 31, 2021, 09:50:08 pm Excellent trouble shooting result. Perseverance pays off! Quote Selected 5 Likes
Re: Six pack left front not raising Reply #34 – February 01, 2021, 11:31:24 am i am glad it turned out. i have never had that happen so it never even occurred to me to check for that. two springs for sure will not allow it to retract. as for missing a spring, i dont think so far i have had any parts missing from the kits. my wife and i very very carefully put the parts in sets of six on the kitchen table and she recounts them as she wraps them up in toilet paper. (gee good thing we had enough toilet paper through the panedemic, eh). the springs come in one sack and they do them by weight, not by count, so i often have 1 extra spring in a batch so that does not raise any red flags. we look at each plunger as we package them up to make sure they look fine. not a very engineering oriented approach with incoming inspections, but just a look see to make sure they look fine. darlene and i really try hard to make sure there are no problems. if there ever are, we will do whatever we can on our side to replace anything of our kits that are amiss. you guys that buy two or more kits will notice that i include a spanner wrench for each kit. i could give just one per box i ship, but if you order two kits, you get two wrenches. i approach this like how i would like it if i was getting these myself. (i have put them in the two newells i have had since i started doing them)i am no expert for sure, but i have done a number of kit installs and talked through them with alot more folks. so i am almost always avail to talk to if there are questions and or issues. i give my phone number most of the time and for sure my email. if anyone ever wants to talk, you can pm me and i will send you my phone number. i am just another coach geek that plays around with things. not a business. my entire operation is out of a small box and a place to put a handful of kits that are boxed up ready to go. as always, if anyone is in the phoenix area, please stop by and visit. there is room for you to hook up out back next to my shop as i have two full 50a hookups. during the nice winter months i often have someone stopping by. happy mondaytom Quote Selected 8 Likes
Re: Six pack left front not raising Reply #35 – February 01, 2021, 12:11:35 pm Quote from: encantotom – February 01, 2021, 11:31:24 am...as for missing a spring, I don't think so far I have had any parts missing from the kits.Tom is WAY too modest. Based on my dealings with him, I firmly believe he is a stickler for detail and a born perfectionist. I am sure those traits always served him well in his professional career, and in the way he conducts his personal life. Just my O-pinion.Example: One time a while back I ordered 126 of his HWH solenoid rebuild kits. They all came in one big box. After I finally finished sorting through all the hundreds of O-rings, springs and plungers, it turns out there was not one single item missing. The parts count was perfect.Like I said: he's a stickler. Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Six pack left front not raising Reply #36 – February 01, 2021, 12:27:45 pm Tom you are Darlene are doing a fantastic job and we all really appreciate your dedication to fellow coach owners by helping us keep our HWH systems maintained. If we have another toilet paper shortage, I will order a couple kits. LOL. The kits did come well packed to prevent any damage and was complete with all parts. Also really appreciate you including the spanner is it makes the task a lot easier. Looking forward to getting the six pack re-installed and seeing how long the coach will hold level. Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Six pack left front not raising Reply #37 – February 01, 2021, 12:44:45 pm Quote from: DayDreamer – January 31, 2021, 08:07:20 pmI believed I have uncovered the problem with the left side air springs only partially inflating after installing the re-build kit.Short answer, raise plunger was not opening because the armature mechanic (namely me) put two springs on the left side raise plunger.The rest of the story. Messed with if for hours. With the DW pushing the button, the end of the plunger was magnetic, so seemed everything was okay. Ended up removing the entire six pack and bring back home to test. Using a 12v battery and short wire leads, energized each coil to ensure each one worked. Got an audible click from the plunger retracting on all but the left raise. Swapped solenoids with known good one and same issue. Removed plunger and all seemed to move freely. Put old plunger back in and it worked. Took old plunger out and compared. Noticed spring looked different and thought maybe the kit accidentally included an odd, stronger spring. Then I recalled when I was installing them, I was missing one spring. Assuming Tom mis-counted, I put the old spring back on one of the plungers. However, two of the springs were coiled together into one nice, neat little package. An astute person might have noticed but I did not and installed the "double strength" spring. Removed one of the springs and re-installed the new plunger. Will not have time to re-install the six pack until next week, but pretty confident the left side raise problem is resolved. Might have an issue with the right side dump, but will report back after I can re-install.Thanks again everyone for your assistance and hope others will learn from my half-witted mistake.Yes those springs like to nest together. You are allowed one mistake per six pack. At least my story. :-} Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Six pack left front not raising Reply #38 – February 01, 2021, 04:04:48 pm Tom is modest, and his little shop in the desert is a sight to see. He does get lonely out there with the coyotes and the chickens! Quote Selected
Re: Six pack left front not raising Reply #39 – February 09, 2021, 01:01:22 pm I used one of Tom's kits and refurbished my front six pack on Saturday. (On my rig its actually a three pack) Everything went well with one exception. When I pulled out the check valve, the very fine coil spring went flying through the air and was lost forever. I did get a quick look at it before it leaped to freedom which was fortunate. I was able to find a suitable replacement at ACE hardware along with O rings for the check valve and the cap.Another shout out to Chuck Avery for publishing many tips and photos about repairing six packs.Anyhow, keep your fingers on that spring when removing check valve. jk Quote Selected 2 Likes
Topic: Six pack left front not raising