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Old 09-12-2017, 06:24 PM   #1
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Cable Lift Mechanism - Lube/Maintenance

My four-seasons-old HW-277 is doing great.
I'd like to keep it that way...in particular the scariest part (for me), the roof-lift mechanism.

I grease the cable guide mechanism under the floor...two zerks. Lots of grease.

I've looked for other zerks or ports in the cable tubes going to each corner, but no luck finding anything. I recall reading (on this forum) about small oil ports in the cable tubes at or near the corners. I crawled around on the ground under the camper with a flashlight and rag trying to find anything that might take oil, but no luck.

I also have no idea how I could reasonably access the lift mechanism buried in each corner. Obviously, I could start disassembling cabinets, etc. but I would hope there would be a reasonable way to get at and inspect things without tearing the interior apart. Also, if tearing things apart is how it's done, I know from experience on car repairs that there's a right way and the hard way to go about this sort of thing.

So I welcome you guidance, insights and experiences. I'd love to winterize the camper in the next 30 days or so, and I'd like to include this maintenance in my winter prep.

Thanks in advance.
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Jim & Renee
2020 Jayco Jay Feather X-213
previously 2014 Forest River/Rockwood HW 277
2006 Ram 1500 4WD Crew with Firestone Airbags
Every weekend boondocking in the National Forests or at Lake Vallecito.
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Old 09-13-2017, 09:23 AM   #2
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On the outside of each corner you will find two hex head bolts.....unscrew those and pull down on the tube until you can see the tops.....put about one once per tube and then reassemble.
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Old 09-13-2017, 09:41 AM   #3
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Be sure the top is down when you disconnect the tubes.
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Old 09-13-2017, 09:46 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cabranch47 View Post
Be sure the top is down when you disconnect the tubes.
Yep........shoot some dry silicon on the lift post also.
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Old 09-13-2017, 11:28 AM   #5
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Yep........shoot some dry silicon on the lift post also.
Good point. Last time we setup, about 10 minutes after installing the "safety braces" on two lift posts, we heard one of the sliding parts drop. It wasn't a "broken" drop. It was a "settling into place" drop. No harm, but it occurred to me that I should lube the sliding parts.
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Jim & Renee
2020 Jayco Jay Feather X-213
previously 2014 Forest River/Rockwood HW 277
2006 Ram 1500 4WD Crew with Firestone Airbags
Every weekend boondocking in the National Forests or at Lake Vallecito.
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Old 09-13-2017, 06:44 PM   #6
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I just give a few squirts of 30 weight in the gaps between the lift post parts. Just push the top and the gaps open up. It drains straight down. I use wed 40 and a rag to lube the posts. I put silicon spray on the rollers for the bunkends.
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Old 09-18-2017, 10:46 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by Bhugo View Post
I just give a few squirts of 30 weight in the gaps between the lift post parts. Just push the top and the gaps open up. It drains straight down. I use wed 40 and a rag to lube the posts. I put silicon spray on the rollers for the bunkends.
Actually, that just sits in the bottom and doesn't get into the tubes. Wiping the post with oil does work but also make the backside of the cover super dirty if you have a the type that covers the post.
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Old 09-18-2017, 02:02 PM   #8
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Actually, that just sits in the bottom and doesn't get into the tubes. Wiping the post with oil does work but also make the backside of the cover super dirty if you have a the type that covers the post.


I use wd 40 on the outside of the posts. No problem at all with dirty covers. Are you saying that oil squirted to the inside the sliding portion of the posts won't drain down into the tubes? I thought it would.
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Old 09-19-2017, 02:33 PM   #9
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FYI. Postponed my RV maintenance in favor of staining our log cabin, but I will report what I find once I get back to it.
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Jim & Renee
2020 Jayco Jay Feather X-213
previously 2014 Forest River/Rockwood HW 277
2006 Ram 1500 4WD Crew with Firestone Airbags
Every weekend boondocking in the National Forests or at Lake Vallecito.
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