Problems with Lippert Leveling System

[Woodworker]

We own the 3811MS with the Lippert Leveling System.
The front levelers drop about an inch a week. I can hear them making popping or a kind of clicking noises all the time. This happens when the slides are extended or closed, or if we are inside or outside.

Also, now when I raise or lower the front end manually or during the Auto Level, I get a really loud creaking and groaning noise. The sound is definitely coming from the front landing gear.

I made 16" square pads, 4 inches thick, so the landing gear doesn't have to go all the way down.

Any help? Ideas?
Please and thanks.

[richfaa]

Give lippert a call they are very good at working with you to resolve problems.

[DQDick]

Agree, but is there any sign of oil leakage on one or both of the front jacks and does the sound come from one or both of the jacks?

[Woodworker]

No leakage, sound comes from both jacks.

[Rondo]

The sounds from the front level-ups sounds like the seals could be dried out. I had the same problem with mine last year and while at the Fall Rally Lippert/LCI reps came over to the unit to listen to them since I had talked to them after their session at the Rally. They asked me what I lubed the shafts with and I told them I was using CRC that the reps recommended the previous year. They said they now recommend taking some hydraulic fluid and putting it on a rag and rub each shaft down before retracting them. This also removes any dirt and grime that might have attached itself to the shafts. As richfaa stated, call the Lippert/LCI customer service desk and explain the problem and they will try and diagnose it over the phone. They are great at helping out their customers.

[rufus dog]

check all the fittings on both cylinders and at the valve assembly near your hydraulic tank for level system, for leaks and tighten them. also check for leaks on the orange hoses using a towel by wiping each hose and looking for red oil on towel.these hoses are known to "bleed oil",dropping oil pressure and might be causing you some of the problem.s

[waynemoore]

I would think the residual oil would collect all kinds of dirt even after the shafts were retracted and then lowered again?

[Woodworker]

Checked all the hoses, no leaks. I used wd40 to clean and lube the cylinders. The noise stopped!!
Still trying to figure out the droppage.

[Mikendebbie]

Just curious - I don’t think I have any hydraulic fluid in the garage currently but I have some transmission fluid. Will that work for wiping off the legs/ cylinders?

[ChuckS]

The correct fluid to use depends on whether you currently have AW32 hyd oil or transmission fluid in the reservoir. If it’s honey brown color then it’s hyd fluid. If it red it’s transmission fluid.

Do not mix fluids. The seals will not like it. You can buy AW32’ at Walmart.

[ChuckS]

Hyd fluid , transmission. fluid, or motorcycle fork oil are all fine for wiping down the hyd leveler exposed positions prior to retracting then.

However don’t wipe on and not retract or wipe off because the fluid will attract dust and such.

[Mikendebbie]

It looks to be honey brown. thanks for the info!

[harris71]

We have a 2013 3100RL with the 6-point levelers. We regularly spray the legs with a silicon/teflon lubricant (doesn't attract dirt). This gets rid of the noises when retracting and deploying. Last year we noticed an occasional "pop" in the levelers, but making reference marks showed no change in height of the legs over time . This year the "popping" seemed to be worse than last year. An internet search turned up several threads about using an anti-stiction fluid to reduce or eliminate the popping noises. There is a bulletin on the Lippert site about this and lists what type is approved and how to add it. This seems to work, although to be safe, we are also using 5" blocks under each leg to reduce the length that is extended. It's always something.....

[phillyg]

Originally Posted by harris71

We have a 2013 3100RL with the 6-point levelers. ...... An internet search turned up several threads about using an anti-stiction fluid to reduce or eliminate the popping noises. There is a bulletin on the Lippert site about this and lists what type is approved and how to add it......

I followed the Lippert instructions for the anti-stiction fluid. No more popping.

[MICADON]

Sounds like a problem I had. Lippert said the problem is stiction. I was told to get anti-stiction fluid, empty out a quart of hydraulic fluid and then put in the anti. I had to do this twice. After circulating the treated fluid the problem is almost gone. You can get this fluid at a Caterpillar dealer.

[Ddubya]

The jacks can have an internal seal leaking and that will cause them to go down over time. There will be no visible leaks. I had that problem and had to have the front jacks rebuilt. A word of caution to all that have hydraulics is to check the jacks and slide cylinders for leaks periodically. I recently had a leak in the kitchen slide and the under belly had a great amount of fluid in it when I opened it up. A real mess.

[phillyg]

Got mine on Amazon.

[rohrmann]

This has been a known issue for years. The popping is from stiction, which is a problem in all hydraulic systems. Lippert issued a fix for this back in 2013. https://lci-support-doc.s3.amazonaws...cd_0002091.pdf

[Rebel702]

Stiction fluid. Did the trick. Also lube w WD40 before I retract.

[mleeder]

You should try not to use Wd40 for lubrication. The residue can get gummy. Never use it on locks. A silicone spray is a much better choice. Silicone will not harm the rubber seals.