Front Lippert Hydraulic Jacks sticking and/or popping issues possible remedy

[TPC]

Our front hydraulic jacks decided to stall and/or retract on their own. This can be treacherous if you're trying to hook up the truck and they decide to lower before the pin is connected to the hitch. Also you're camped and suddenly the front of the RV is 18" lower than the back because the jacks retracted on their own.

Also you're unhitched and laying in bed and every few minutes you hear a repeated POP from the front jacks. Especially in warm dry climates.
The jacks are sticking and at the valve seat.

You'll need 1 quart Cat Hydraulic oil additive or MC shock oil.

Draw a quart of hydraulic fluid out of the RV reservoir and replace with the quart of additive or shock oil:

Bring slide outs in and rear & mid jacks up.
Then:
1. In my case I opened the passenger side propane cabinet then top of Jack turn Allen nut on top fully closed. - That’s counter clockwise.
Exercise front jacks.

Step 2. If that doesn’t do it open the Allen screw clock wise and exercise jacks, then close counter-clockwise.

Step 2 did the trick in my case It worked. Stopped the popping and the jack are not failing - working only on command.
If you don't have the additive try it with out it and you may have good results anyway.

If none of the above works, (and remember it may take some time for the lube to circulate through the system) replace valve.
I will order a valve to keep on hand.

 

[Done-it-again]

Our front hydraulic jacks decided to stall and/or retract on their own. This can be treacherous if you're trying to hook up the truck and they decide to lower before the pin is connected to the hitch. Also you're camped and suddenly the front of the RV is 18" lower than the back because the jacks retracted on their own.

Also you're unhitched and laying in bed and every few minutes you hear a repeated POP from the front jacks. Especially in warm dry climates.
The jacks are sticking and at the valve seat.

You'll need 1 quart Cat Hydraulic oil additive or MC shock oil.

Draw a quart of hydraulic fluid out of the RV reservoir and replace with the quart of additive or shock oil:

Bring slide outs in and rear & mid jacks up.
Then:
1. In my case I opened the passenger side propane cabinet then top of Jack turn Allen nut on top fully closed. - That’s counter clockwise.
Exercise front jacks.

Step 2. If that doesn’t do it open the Allen screw clock wise and exercise jacks, then close counter-clockwise.

Step 2 did the trick in my case It worked. Stopped the popping and the jack are not failing - working only on command.
If you don't have the additive try it with out it and you may have good results anyway.

If none of the above works, (and remember it may take some time for the lube to circulate through the system) replace valve.
I will order a valve to keep on hand.

I used the same stuff, added it to my hydraulic tank and cycled the jacks up and down..... never had the jacks retract on their own. Just had the issue of them popping all night, like the suspension was releasing tension. It fixed the issue.

 

[lenmann]

I had the popping issue as well and did the CAT oil deal, it got a little better but never completely went away. @2FORCEFULL mentioned in a thread here that Marvel Mystery Oil is indeed some sort of hydraulic magic and recommended it for sticky hydraulic systems. I swapped out a quart and so far much better.

I have also had the two front jacks replaced under warranty because of leaks. One of the replacement jacks had started to seep and the MMO seems to have stopped that as well!

 

[TPC]

Our problem of concern was the jacks retracting.
The turning the valve trick ccw and cw cured it.
If the popping stays away that's a bonus.

MMO has some solvent action and that may be the better way to go and help flow in cold weather. Lipperts don't like cold weather.
Lippert Rep told me the main issues is "gunk" build up on the jack valve seat and recommended Cat additive.

 

[lenmann]

Yeah, the unplanned auto retract deal is scary as shit. I think I will be exercising the valve screw next time I have her on the hitch.

 

[25Elmn8r]

Haven't had this problem yet, but this is good info. Thanks

 

[HB2Havasu]

@TPC Do you clean the Hydraulic Landing Gear Cylinders often when they are extended? Wondering if this is being caused by contamination or something ?

 

[TPC]

@TPC Do you clean the Hydraulic Landing Gear Cylinders often when they are extended? Wondering if this is being caused by contamination or something ?

I used too, that's a good thought to reconsider it. That's probably how the contaminates are getting in the system.