Potential leak on Lippert Jack

[Andy Smith]

Hi forum! I have a question that I hope I'm worrying over little/nothing for. I have a 2020 3855 BR that I've been living in FT since I took ownership of it in March of 2020. We don't move often, maybe every 4-5 months. Each time we move I wipe down the feet and legs on the jacks to keep them clean. Our last move was 3 weeks ago and I noticed today on the front left jack, there is noticeably more dampness from hydraulic fluid than any of the other jacks. The front jacks are fairly extended as we're on a bit of a hill for the next several months. It's not puddling or pooling, but after 3 weeks there is a sheen of fluid on the foot and the leg that is not present on any of the others that I can see. It looks like it's coming from the seal where the shiny part of the ram goes into the upper portion. My thoughts are that there's a leaking seal there, or there might be something caught in it causing it to leak. We haven't lost any height that I can tell, and it took about three weeks to appear. My question is how concerning is this? Should I call a repair person to try and repair the jack or replace it? I was planning on cycling the jacks all the way out and back in this weekend to clear anything caught in the leg and also do the lippert-recommended anti stiction process. Anyone had something like this before? Thanks!

[rohrmann]

We have had a leak from a rear jack that is way more than you are seeing, but it is coming from one of the top cap bolt seals, not the ram. I saw another rig several years ago, that the owner asked me to look at as it had a jack that was leaking, and he had the same thing you are seeing. With the ram that extended, it is probably leaning a bit causing the ram to not be centered where the seal is, and this is probably causing the seepage. Before you do the stiction fluid thing, get some blocks to put under the legs that are very extended, so when you level it up again, the rams will not be so far out, and see if that solves the seepage.

[nellie1289]

You definitely have a leaking seal. Our 2021 3854BR I caught the seal weaping during PDI, just as you described. They ordered me a new jack and swapped it out. Jack operated fine in the meantime so no issues there, but you are going to need to get a new jack. PM me if you want to see my pictures in detail but i will post the main one below!

[nellie1289]

Here is mine. You can even see the ring of oil where it was before I extended jack.

[Andy Smith]

Any idea if it's urgent or what the negative impact of not replacing it would be? We've been on the road over a year with it and it doesn't seem to drop or cause any noticeable problems. I'm not sure if we're still under warranty on the part, or if we can get it repaired/replaced by a mobile repair person.

[nellie1289]

I personally don't think its urgent other than you are gonna lose a tiny bit of oil from your hydraulic reservoir and system. I think it were me I would order the part, then have a mobile tech come swap it out, if you are full timing. Its literally six bolts and a hydraulic line feeding into it. As I was under warranty, no way I was doing this myself. Frankly, I am never doing this myself regardless. HA.

on Edit: mine sat for two months in storage before the part showed up with no ill effects, it still worked fine and dandy.

[nellie1289]

Stick your finger on the underpart of the jack right at the seal and see if you get as much oil as I have on my finger there...

[Andy Smith]

Thanks! Will do this weekend. I will try putting it on blocks and reducing the amount exposed jack as well, as it is possible that it is leaning on this jack, which is pretty far extended. I think if it's minimal, I am less concerned. I'm not entirely sure how long the warranty for that part is covered, or what our CW extended warranty will cover, since it's a $500 part to do out of pocket.

[nellie1289]

Most extended warranties cover landing gear. Mine does

[Andy Smith]

Definitely nothing comes out when you press on the seal with your finger, I just get whatever coating is on the shaft. I'll try the blocks and give it some time before calling to get repairs, as a starting point.

[ChuckS]

If all you are seeing is a bit of oil residue and not fresh then I would not be ordering a new leveler leg at this point.. I've had one wit oil residue on it such as in the image posted here for the last 6 years... and I haven't lost 1 ounce of fluid from reservoir

AW32 if that is what is in yours OR ATF can look like its a lot but it isn't.. Look under most any car at the transmission pan and you will see a streak of oil

I would first check the JIC37 fittings on the top of the jack and make sure you don't have a weep there or on the top cap bolts... The banjo bolt has an oring under it that can seep as well as the top cover cap

And if you actually have an internal leak you can get that leveler rebuilt for way less than the cost of a new one..

[ChuckS]

Examples of typical leak areas on hyd leveler leg …
Note.. only Frt LG will have a Hydac valve mounted to it and there is only one for both LG ..they operate in tandem

Image of top cap and banjo bolt and Hydac

Also images of inner oil seal inside the leveler leg.. that outside seal you see is a wiper seal and has zero to do with keeping oil under 2000 psi pressure inside the leveler leg…

[Andy Smith]

Thanks Chuck for the info and pics! I checked the top bolts and the hydac and they're all tight and dry and nothing appears to be on any part of the jack other than the extended ram, which took a few weeks for me to notice after the last wipe down. We'll see how cycling the jacks and adding some blocks helps tomorrow when I've got a spotter and the truck.

[ChuckS]

Also to prolong the overall life if the internal and out per wiper seal wipe down the exposed ram on each leveler every time before you retract.. this removes dirt particles, etc that will eventually wear on wiper seal and inner seal

I use a rag couple of paper towels and motorcycle fork oil and wet wipe down all six legs each time before retracting

Lippert has changed their minds several times over the years as to what to use..first it was dry silicone spray, the silicone spray with PTFE and I’ve spoke English with several of their level up Techs over the years and they all liked my idea of fork oil.

[phillyg]

I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. I'd probably drain a qt. of hydraulic fluid and add a qt. of stiction fluid and run the jacks up and down several times to mix it in well; it may help. At some point remove that jack and take it to a specialty shop to replace the seal. I seem to recall that Lippert states the jacks are not repairable, but I believe they are.

[Andy Smith]

thanks for the suggestions. I meant to add the anti-stiction fluid and some blocks this weekend, but Goodyear had my truck for two days on what should have been a two hour appointment. Hopefully I'll have a chance next weekend after my backpacking trip. For now since it doesn't seem urgent and hardly messy, I won't worry too much about it.

[CarWin]

I ordered a new leveler jack from Lippert, took about 3 weeks to get it. IN the meantime,I went to local machine shop and they rebuilt mine for $118. I reinstalled the rebuilt one and have had NO issues at all with that jack. I got new one in Garage in case needed,lol.

But now, my center jack by the door is leaking and I just removed it today. Im debating whether to take to same shop for rebuilder do it myself. Its my lower seal leaking on this one, the top is bone dry. Anyone tell me how hard it is to remove the lower black piece after I unbolt it? Ive already unbolted it, but wasn't sure how to remove the lower piece with the seal.

[ChuckS]

https://youtu.be/IQWXJEXJh6Y

[CarWin]

Are the Silver colored jacks the same? Thats what I have on mine...Im going to give it a whirl after seeing this video. Thanks!!!

[CaptnJohn]

My leg problem ~~~
Street side front leg~ Puddle in front of leg. No drip with only landing gear down only when all legs and slides open, max psi. Not immediate, can take days to form. Leg does not seem overly wet but has lost a little level over a 2 month period.