HWH Jack Question

Topic: HWH Jack Question (Read 792 times) previous topic - next topic

HWH Jack Question

August 08, 2016, 12:39:13 pm

We've been sitting here since May, not started the CAT. I noticed one of our jacks decided to retract, is that normal when the coach has been sitting so long? Fired the engine, brought air pressure up and re-leveled, all fine. Just curious, thanks.

Re: HWH Jack Question

Reply #1 – August 08, 2016, 01:00:07 pm

No, not normal. If no external leak, suspect the HWH solenoid needs to be rebuilt.

And, no need to start engine. The HWH are strictly 12 VDC/hydraulic. So no air or engine running needed with the U240.

Re: HWH Jack Question

Reply #2 – August 08, 2016, 01:11:31 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – August 08, 2016, 01:00:07 pm

No, not normal. If no external leak, suspect the HWH solenoid needs to be rebuilt.

Thanks, Brett. Now that I think about it, I did have the same thing happen (on the same forward jack) just after we bought the coach last year. My tech said he tightened the fittings and all was well, 'till today. Does the HWH solenoid have to be sent to the factory, or am I better off just buying a fresh one? I'm sure there is SOMEPLACE in my manuals that list the model #.

Re: HWH Jack Question

Reply #3 – August 08, 2016, 01:31:16 pm

Depends on your timing. HWH does rebuild them at a pretty reasonable price. They also sell new. May have reman as well.

Re: HWH Jack Question

Reply #4 – August 08, 2016, 02:21:18 pm

No sign of leakage on the jack, on the ground or up front at the POC. Is it a big deal to replace a solenoid?

Re: HWH Jack Question

Reply #5 – August 08, 2016, 02:26:56 pm

No, they just unscrew after detaching the wire connector.

The important thing is to keep dirt out of the system.

Re: HWH Jack Question

Reply #6 – August 08, 2016, 02:36:50 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – August 08, 2016, 02:26:56 pm

No, they just unscrew after detaching the wire connector.

The important thing is to keep dirt out of the system.

I've lived long enough to know when one part of a system goes south, the other solenoids are about at the end of their service life, as well.

Re: HWH Jack Question

Reply #7 – August 08, 2016, 03:19:45 pm

Mike,

Not sure I would proactively get them all rebuilt, but that is up to you.

Re: HWH Jack Question

Reply #8 – August 08, 2016, 03:37:30 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – August 08, 2016, 03:19:45 pm

Not sure I would proactively get them all rebuilt, but that is up to you.

Agree. However, when one is running an older coach, the last thing you want to hear is, "we don't make them anymore."

Re: HWH Jack Question

Reply #9 – August 08, 2016, 09:47:13 pm

There are mechanical valves next to the pump, I think. four manual releases. Maybe ones loose?

Re: HWH Jack Question

Reply #10 – August 09, 2016, 12:14:41 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – August 08, 2016, 09:47:13 pm

There are mechanical valves next to the pump, I think. four manual releases. Maybe ones loose?

Good point. NOW, where is the pump, the releases and where do I check the fluid? Seems odd that only the (left forward) jack would decide to retract on it's own whenever it felt like it? As I said, got it working yesterday, and this morning it's doing it's thing!

Re: HWH Jack Question

Reply #11 – August 09, 2016, 12:51:01 pm

Quote from: mike leary – August 09, 2016, 12:14:41 pm

NOW, where is the pump, the releases and where do I check the fluid?

Mike,

Sounds to me like you don't have a manual for your system. Want one? Follow link below, scroll down until you locate the system on your coach. The blue "click to open" links don't work for me, but once you have the manual number, you can usually find a copy by doing a Google search. The correct owner's manual should answer a lot of your questions.

http://www.hwhcorp.com/ml54800_srvc.pdf

Re: HWH Jack Question

Reply #12 – August 09, 2016, 12:57:49 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – August 09, 2016, 12:51:01 pm

Sounds to me like you don't have a manual for your system.

Thanks, Chuck. I'm going through Brett's four binder files right now. Hard to imagine it's not there!

Re: HWH Jack Question

Reply #13 – August 09, 2016, 01:31:34 pm

On a U240, the HWH pump, reservoir and solenoids with "T" handles is inside the passenger's side front grill. Easiest to remove the couple of screws holding in the grill.

Re: HWH Jack Question

Reply #14 – August 09, 2016, 02:01:25 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – August 09, 2016, 01:31:34 pm

On a U240, the HWH pump, reservoir and solenoids with "T" handles is inside the passenger's side front grill. Easiest to remove the couple of screws holding in the grill.

I can see the "T handles" from underneath. Dream-on, sure would have been nice to have the center shroud fold-up, that area is a bearcat to get to, from below or above!

Re: HWH Jack Question

Reply #15 – August 13, 2016, 01:26:42 pm

Update: Five days later after I retracted the jacks and re-leveled, all is normal. No fluid leaks, fluid is full. Service manual offered no explanations. I'm just going to keep an eye on it, as we're moving to a new site next month. I wonder if it was just a little out of alignment and stuck in the up position when we landed?

You can bet, I'll be checking it every morning! Brett was right, (as usual), if service needs to be done, the pass side grill should come out.

Re: HWH Jack Question

Reply #16 – August 13, 2016, 02:17:34 pm

Mike, if yours are the kick up type it could be that one solenoid is loosing pressure or the ground wire on that cylinder is not making good contact, or as Bob said the T handle lock nut has come loose (but doubt it) and the setting needs to be slacked off a touch. My thought is solenoid and they are so easy to remove and fix I would replace the O rings on that one first. I would also think a leaking seal on that piton would cause it but you would see fluid on pad and cylinder. I rebuilt mine on 225 I had and was simple. Most troubles with them are the ground wire on side of piston.
JohnH

Re: HWH Jack Question

Reply #17 – August 13, 2016, 03:04:30 pm

Quote from: John Haygarth – August 13, 2016, 02:17:34 pm

if yours are the kick up type it could be that one solenoid is loosing pressure or the ground wire on that cylinder is not making good contact, or as Bob said the T handle lock nut has come loose (but doubt it) and the setting needs to be slacked off a touch

Thanks, John. Will take a look, not sure about what "setting" is , but will continue to have it cut into my beer drinking time. I see you used to have one of our GVs, so, your advice is important. They must be bullet-proof: after all these years, my files don't show Brett or the PO dinking around with them.

Re: HWH Jack Question

Reply #18 – August 13, 2016, 06:14:43 pm

What I meant by setting was that you slack off the lock nut then turn the T handle in a few turns and it should allow that jack to release pressure and then go up., make sure you know exactly how many turns you gave it in a clockwise way, then turn it opposite way but add about 1/2 a turn out. Operate the jack by pressing the appropriate button and see if it goes back down etc to hold that corner. Let it sit for a day or so and see if it holds. If not I reckon the O rings are the problem. While at it check the wire connection on that cylinder outer wall to see if it is secure.
JohnH

Re: HWH Jack Question

Reply #19 – September 30, 2016, 12:27:23 pm

This is not good, after two months being retracted, the jack tried to raise on it's own, but seems stuck on the rod to the right. Should I try to lower everything and try again, or?

No mechanic here that wants to touch them, and zero in the HWH manual. Help! No sign of a leak, but I don't want to do anymore damage until I can get the coach to Phoenix.

Re: HWH Jack Question

Reply #20 – September 30, 2016, 12:53:07 pm

Yes, just put it down and re stow.

Caused by SLOW retracting. Made worse if jack way extended.

You will make it much more likely to work first time if you put boards under the jack. That way the piston is not WAY extended as the jack clears the ground and kicks up.

Call if that doesn't work: 281 639-0798.

Re: HWH Jack Question

Reply #21 – September 30, 2016, 01:02:16 pm

Thanks, Brett, will lower again, I see nothing in the manual about how to lower that one nasty jack, so I'll just try to re-lower all four.

Re: HWH Jack Question

Reply #22 – September 30, 2016, 01:14:45 pm

Lower all four. Boards under the problem one so it has less far to retract before the spring pops it up.

Re: HWH Jack Question

Reply #23 – September 30, 2016, 02:04:37 pm

Yup, pressed the "start" button, down came the "bad kitty". No damage observed. Are we pretty sure a new solenoid is my fix?
Add-on....Just raised the jacks to "travel", bk tucked-in just fine.

Re: HWH Jack Question

Reply #24 – September 30, 2016, 02:22:03 pm

Actually, I would not do a thing unless this problem persists. It is a "race" between the piston coming up fast enough to clear the sway bar vs the springs that kick up the jacks.

So, this more likely to occur when the front jacks are quite extended. I would not personally spend money trying to fix what is likely not really broken. Just close proximity of an extended jack to the way bar end links.

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