1999 Slide Out leaking hydraulic fluid

[Chuckmor]

I had the front ram cylinder leak on the slideout on our 2000 Adventurer. Ordered a new one and did the replacement with the help of my long tall grandson. The slide is on the drivers side, but access to the ram is through the water heater compartment on the passenger side. Very difficult to access across the width of the coach. The other ram had to be disconnected as well, but that access is though the compartment past the fresh water tank. (a bit easier). I don't remember what sources I used to research the project, but it was a great bonding experience with the grandson.

[Sk8Surfr]

Originally Posted by Chuckmor

I had the front ram cylinder leak on the slideout on our 2000 Adventurer. Ordered a new one and did the replacement with the help of my long tall grandson. The slide is on the drivers side, but access to the ram is through the water heater compartment on the passenger side. Very difficult to access across the width of the coach. The other ram had to be disconnected as well, but that access is though the compartment past the fresh water tank. (a bit easier). I don't remember what sources I used to research the project, but it was a great bonding experience with the grandson.

Thanks for the reply. I see the back sides of both rams - but nothing is leaking - back there.

What I can’t figure out is now - it leaks when I use the jacks….

And now the front of the slide will not move - the rear part of the slide moves. But I don’t move it far cause I don’t want to bend anything.

Did you replace it with the slide extended? I think I need to figure out how to manually extend the slide….

[Chuckmor]

Originally Posted by Sk8Surfr

Thanks for the reply. I see the back sides of both rams - but nothing is leaking - back there.

What I can’t figure out is now - it leaks when I use the jacks….

And now the front of the slide will not move - the rear part of the slide moves. But I don’t move it far cause I don’t want to bend anything.

Did you replace it with the slide extended? I think I need to figure out how to manually extend the slide….

Don't extend the slide. Something will bend and makes it harder to reach the outer nuts to remove the ram. I had something bend and difficult to get it straightened out. If you don't have the manual, search for it online with your particular HWH model.

[dnrainey]

Hi, judging from the photos, my 2003 Journey has the same, or similar HWH system. I had a hydraulic line break on my bedroom slide last year. My situation was a bit more dire when it failed as I was departing Denver headed home to MS and noticed in the driver's side window that the rear slide was sticking out about 6 - 8 inches, yikes! I was able to get it back in by using a little muscle power while pushing the retract button but I had to keep an eye on it for the four day trip home.
It also puked a lot of fluid out but everything else seemed to be working OK. I took it to a local tech who found the hydraulic line broken near the ram for the slide. The line was 12 feet long and, as one would expect, a bit difficult to route but he replaced it without any issues. Cost was $750, he said that in his experience the rams on HWH systems rarely fail so hopefully it is just a broken line on your system too.