HWH jack

Topic: HWH jack (Read 2056 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: HWH jack

Reply #25 – August 15, 2012, 01:26:43 pm

Thanks. I didn't think it would be that close to the top.

Re: HWH jack

Reply #26 – August 16, 2012, 10:02:37 am

Before I attempt to remove this jack...I guess the procedure is to have the jacks down, block the wheels, block up the frame near the jack, disconnect hydraulic lines and electrical connection and remove the four bolts. I planning to use a floor jack to support the jack when I remove the bolts. Does this sound right?

Re: HWH jack

Reply #27 – August 16, 2012, 03:43:30 pm

If the jacks are down and you remove the hyd lines etc the jack will kick up (I would think) and oil all over. Why not just support the jack while taking it off?? If you need to pull the cyl down to get at any bolt you can do it manually(meaning grab hold of it and pull it down). I would leave all jacks up. Thats how I did mine I seem to remember.
John H

Re: HWH jack

Reply #28 – August 16, 2012, 05:34:26 pm

definitly do not have the jacks down. Like John said manually pull down the jack to access the nuts on the bolts, then you can get at the hydraulic lines and the electrical wiring

Re: HWH jack

Reply #29 – August 16, 2012, 05:35:37 pm

You may have a different model jack than my '89 GV had, but that quote is WAY higher than what I paid a year ago for new and rebuild. More than double!

Quote from: Dave and Dolly Cobb – August 06, 2012, 08:14:50 pm

I had called HWH with my jack model #, and got a quote for repair/re-build @ $495 plus shipping (2 week turn around), or a new unit, in stock, for $702 plus shipping.

I took the unit to a hydraulic repair place this morning. And they offered to rebuild both the kick down and the main ram seals, one week, and for about $300. They were very helpful to describe what they can do, how it is mostly labor costs. I chose to go with a local rebuild, save the shipping, and hopefully a week or more of time. I did read and heard people tell that these jacks could be one of three types. Some come apart for rebuild, others are a pain, and some require cutting off the top of the cylinder and then re-welding.

Got my fingers crossed.

Re: HWH jack

Reply #30 – August 16, 2012, 06:06:21 pm

HWH Has rebuilt jacks in stock, with a two year warranty (I think) or they will rebuild yours but very limited warranty. I just overheard the talk between HWH man and a Fleetwood something owner.
Dave M

Re: HWH jack

Reply #31 – August 16, 2012, 06:43:17 pm

My slide rams were leaking, hwh price via MOT was $600 each, two weeks lead time, MOT had local shop rebuild in one day for $200 each after I said two weeks too long. If it is a hydraulic ram of any sort I would guess a shop that could rebuild will probably be nearby and cheaper. I would always go the rebuild route first

Re: HWH jack

Reply #32 – August 17, 2012, 10:55:45 pm

Got it off but don't look forward to putting it back on. The electrical connection has me confused. Looks like a wire with a round connector going to a bolt near the hinge...basically a ground with a hose type holder over the same bolt for one for one of the hydraulic lines and another set of wires combined in a flat type connector that is just secured up against the side of the jack with a hose clamp.

Re: HWH jack

Reply #33 – August 18, 2012, 12:03:50 am

That is the mercury switch that lights a light on the control to tell you that the jack is down and the wire that has the loop is the ground for that circuit

Re: HWH jack

Reply #34 – August 18, 2012, 02:53:40 am

as I said, put it back the way you found it and make sure the ground connection is good and clean as that is the "signal" wire
JohnH

Re: HWH jack

Reply #35 – August 18, 2012, 11:32:07 pm

I used a rubber bungee cord to hold the jack down. I'm most concerned about the one hydraulic line that has to be snaked through the jack. I have pictures but I'm going to have to examine the other one to make sure I get it right. Looks like this line is also wearing at one point. Based on where it is I can't really see why. I'm going to wrap it at that spot with that rubberized tape that is supposed to stop a leaky water pipe just to give it some insulation. I used a long screwdriver and measured how much fluid is missing. Took about 1/2 a quart to bring it back to where I think it should be. Sure looks like a lot more than that leaked out. I hope I can find a hydraulic shop willing to mess with it. I noticed that it leaked a lot more when lowering them than when raising them. I also had a lot more fluid come out of the hoses when I disconnected them than I was anticipating.

Re: HWH jack

Reply #36 – August 20, 2012, 02:18:42 pm

OK...found a hydraulic shop willing to work on it. After I get it back...what is the proper procedure for hooking it back up with regard to getting the air out of the system?

Re: HWH jack

Reply #37 – August 20, 2012, 05:10:27 pm

Connect the hoses up and operate the jacks a few times. That is what I did and it worked fine.
John H

Re: HWH jack

Reply #38 – August 20, 2012, 07:17:40 pm

Well, picked up my re-built low profile, kick down HWH jack AP8125. It has two parts to re-build, one being the kick down and the second the 2" ram seals. Price was $297, as quoted two weeks ago.

I asked how they took it apart, since I had read sometimes they have to cut the top off. He said not on my jack, as mine is assembled to be re-buildable. He says more rams are being built that can not be rebuild to save assembly and force replacement with new ones. Mine had two threaded nipples in about the middle of the body, on opposites sides, that allow them to see and move the keeper spring wire that surrounds the shaft to keep the ram from going all the way out. Once the spring wire is moved the ram comes out as you would expect and allows a new seal to be installed from the "top" and down to the bottom keeper clip.

I too asked how to purge the air, and was told the same thing John Haygarth said, just install and cycle a couple of times. I was warned the first couple of retracts will be slow till the seal is worked.

Thanks for the info on the wiring, as I too was wondering about the wire hose clamped to the barrel of the jack.

Re: HWH jack

Reply #39 – August 20, 2012, 10:28:40 pm

What series do you have? Mine is HWH series 510M

Re: HWH jack

Reply #40 – August 20, 2012, 11:32:02 pm

Dwayne, if I remember correctly the difference between the 510 and 610 is just the capacity--5000 to 6000lbs. Maybe I should gooogle that before I post but I am sure that is all.
John H

Re: HWH jack

Reply #41 – August 21, 2012, 01:45:52 pm

Repair shop says the seals were fine but the actuator itself has a crack in it. They were able to order one for $175 plus one hour labor so I guess I shouldn't complain. I just had the coach into the frame and axle shop and had them check the brakes and then the tire shop. I wonder if someone hit the thing hard with something cracking the actuator. Seems like a strange thing to suddenly happen.

Re: HWH jack

Reply #42 – August 21, 2012, 08:30:33 pm

seems strange to me too as the actuator (as I remember) is a pretty solid piece of brass, but maybe something got caught while operating. I would have fixed the crack if it had been mine, but maybe they do not do that?
John

Re: HWH jack

Reply #43 – August 21, 2012, 11:14:44 pm

Installed the re-built jack today. Biggest challenge was to re-install the retract springs. I had just pried them off, over the steel guide. And they sort of finally fell off and onto the shop floor. I naively thought I could hook up the foot ends, and the link ends and pry them back on. Nope, not by myself.

I was going to have to stretch the spring, and ended up with a very simple solution. I measured the length from the foot, over the steel guide, to the link joining the two jack springs. I figured an extra 4 inches was needed. I had my truck hitch, and the Saturn bumper hitch, and a ratchet strap. The selected media item is not currently available.

After pulling it 5" longer, I could easily put 50 2" screws thru the spring. The selected media item is not currently available.

The stretched spring even had some bend that helped, and after hooking the top to the cross link from the other spring, and to the landing pad foot. I started removing the screws one at a time. The selected media item is not currently available.

As the screws were removed the spring slowly settled into position over the steel guide. Then I lowered the jack, to stretch the springs, and the rest of the screws fell out.

I then removed the passenger side grill and checked the fluid level after cycling the jacks 3 times. I do not have a dipstick attached to the cap. There is a hex shaped recess in the bottom of the cap that a stick might have once been inserted into. The cap does have a shaft and a bottom flange that reaches about 1" into the tank. I measured the fluid from the top lip and it is 1 1/2" below the top of the threaded cap nipple sticking up from the flat top of the tank. My guess is with jacks up, I have maybe 1" or less of space in the tank.

Re: HWH jack

Reply #44 – August 22, 2012, 12:28:31 am

isn't the human brain a wonderful thing-very imaginative.
John H

Re: HWH jack

Reply #45 – August 22, 2012, 10:43:07 am

Quote from: Dave and Dolly Cobb – August 21, 2012, 11:14:44 pm

I then removed the passenger side grill

Now I know why I was having so much trouble checking the fluid! Glad I read this.

Re: HWH jack

Reply #46 – August 22, 2012, 01:51:32 pm

"isn't the human brain a wonderful thing-very imaginative."
John H
Some of them
billchaplin

Re: HWH jack

Reply #47 – August 22, 2012, 03:42:44 pm

I'm glad I determined not to take the springs off. There must be a poor dipstick to cap solution.

Re: HWH jack

Reply #48 – August 22, 2012, 09:47:04 pm

Quote from: Dwayne – August 22, 2012, 03:42:44 pm

I'm glad I determined not to take the springs off. There must be a poor dipstick to cap solution.

If your main seal had to be replaced, someone would have had to remove those springs in order to let the main ram drop out of the cylinder. I sure hope that there is some really neat machine or way to remove and re-install those springs.

Re: HWH jack

Reply #49 – August 22, 2012, 09:49:26 pm

Quote from: PatC – August 22, 2012, 10:43:07 am

Now I know why I was having so much trouble checking the fluid! Glad I read this.

We both need to thank Brett Wolf, he suggested the grill removal trick.

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