Leaking Hydraulic Leveler Strut - Montana Owners Club

retiredphil · 02-10-2016, 12:28 PM

Has anyone had an issue with one of the hydraulic leveler struts leaking hydraulic fluid. If so, what turned out to be the problem/how did you fix it? Thanks

2011 3455SA, F350 dualy

bethandkevin · 02-10-2016, 12:35 PM

Believe it or not, last year I had some seepage from one of the side cylinders. I called to find out if there was a kit to repair it, only the find out there is none. The new cylinder would have been nearly $700.00 to replace. After some use, the seepage went away. To this day I have no idea why it leaked. I did call a local hydraulics shop and was told they could rebuild them. They had done others.

akf15e · 02-10-2016, 01:34 PM

Yes. Fluid was leaking (slowly) from the top of the front left leg of my Level Up system. Ended up having the entire leg replaced under warranty. It was the top seal that was bad. Not sure why they replaced the whole thing, other than maybe it was quicker time-wise and was under warranty so the mfr was footing the bill.

dieselguy · 02-10-2016, 02:45 PM

That's how big businesses roll now days ... just throw a new part at it. Small business and individuals haven't caved to this ideology yet. Lippert probably has some proprietary ownership of the cylinders and parts just like the big 3 do on some of their car parts up until say 10 years out. Believe me you are lucky they just slapped a new one on. A typical RV dealership's tech would be stumped on getting the seal package open let alone installing its parts.

**DQDick** · 02-10-2016, 02:55 PM

I had the same thing and replaced the cylinder but I don't remember it costing $700 even with the labor.

1retired06 · 02-10-2016, 03:10 PM

My leak was a simple fix, hydraulic line was loose

PeteandJoan · 02-10-2016, 05:34 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by dieselguy

That's how big businesses roll now days ... just throw a new part at it. Small business and individuals haven't caved to this ideology yet. Lippert probably has some proprietary ownership of the cylinders and parts just like the big 3 do on some of their car parts up until say 10 years out. Believe me you are lucky they just slapped a new one on. A typical RV dealership's tech would be stumped on getting the seal package open let alone installing its parts.

I agree dieselguy. You just can't get good help these days!

hickory · 02-11-2016, 01:32 AM

I had one leaking from around the upper cap and running down the outside. I took it to a hydraulic repair shop and they replaced the o-ring on the banjo bolt (hollow bolt) that carries the fluid to the bottom of the cylinder. They pressure tested it to 1500 lbs.and it cost me 25 bucks. No further leaks after nearly 2 years.I recommend finding a shop that does heavy duty cylinders like those found in dump trucks. Those guys are usually well eguipped and knowledgable.

1retired06 · 02-11-2016, 01:33 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by hickory

I had one leaking from around the upper cap and running down the outside. I took it to a hydraulic repair shop and they replaced the o-ring on the banjo bolt (hollow bolt) that carries the fluid to the bottom of the cylinder. They pressure tested it to 1500 lbs.and it cost me 25 bucks. No further leaks after nearly 2 years.I recommend finding a shop that does heavy duty cylinders like those found in dump trucks. Those guys are usually well eguipped and knowledgable.

Great advice!

**DQDick** · 02-11-2016, 04:47 AM

Excellent point. That's what I'll do next time. It was already in the shop for something else this time.

Recumbent · 02-11-2016, 08:08 AM

Have had several cylinders rebuilt on farm equipment. Identify the exact location of the leak and if it is the cylinder and not a line leak then take it off (using hydraulic jack and jack stands under frame ) and take it to a good hydraulic repair shop, and they will rebuild. You can do a similar thing for a line leak, and by taking the actual line you have no problems with correct length or fittings required. So far on the Montana we have had one hydraulic cylinder replaced and two of the solenoid valves replaced under warranty. If the hydraulic leak is a relatively small amount of fluid and you can stand the mess or keep it cleaned up and add ATF when needed, then you can get by until it is a more convenient time and place.

JnSWells · 02-11-2016, 09:53 AM

Ours started leaking right after warranty was out, watched seepage for about 6 months.. Never a large amount and we kept the reservoir full of fluid. We finally took in to shop and had was told it had to be replaced, cost was about $450.

Petmoose · 02-11-2016, 01:34 PM

I have had 4 of the cylinders replaced at least once.. The one on the passenger front is on the fourth one. Luckily all were under warranty but there was no "known reason" for the failures. Now that one is slowly leaking again. Not much but you can clearly see the fluid on the pad. When I spoke to Lippert they did not seem interested in fixing it again. I do not know what the next step will be when/if the leak gets worse. I am not a happy camper with this continuing problem.

bethandkevin · 02-12-2016, 01:05 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by DQDick

I had the same thing and replaced the cylinder but I don't remember it costing $700 even with the labor.

You got the Dick Montgomery price, I got the newbie price.

Phil P · 02-13-2016, 12:55 AM

Hi

There are parts available but the cylinder has to be disassembled and measurements made then parts ordered by sizes from an outfit in Tampa Florida.

If any of you all have the repair performed this way please get the part numbers for the parts and post them here.

Here is a picture of the last cylinders I resealed.

Phil P

akf15e · 02-15-2016, 04:21 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by dieselguy

That's how big businesses roll now days ... just throw a new part at it. Small business and individuals haven't caved to this ideology yet. Lippert probably has some proprietary ownership of the cylinders and parts just like the big 3 do on some of their car parts up until say 10 years out. Believe me you are lucky they just slapped a new one on. A typical RV dealership's tech would be stumped on getting the seal package open let alone installing its parts.

I thought the same exact thing!

Beau2010 · 03-24-2016, 04:32 AM

We just had two cylinders replaced; front and middle on door side. Neither were leaking very much and only when retracting. Since we had the extended warranty, our cost was only the deductible. Total cost was over $1500. I kept the old cylinders thinking I may find someone who can fix them even though the mechanic said they were unfixable. Phil, do you work on these things?

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