08 Elite Suite hydraulic return line rupture

[acmay46]

When lowering the front landing gear, the driver side stabilizer jack lowered, hissed, and leaked fluid. The line ruptured at top of hose where it enters the underbelly. It was resting on the edge of the steel housing where the jack is attached. Chaffing due to rough roads and IMHO a poor design. As I was unable to get to the break or find any help I just caught the fluid and bought two gallons of type F tranny fluid to replenish reservoir. So back home now and attempting a self repair. After talking with DRV they did not have a schematic but guessed the return line(black one)probably goes directly to right side jack, and by unscrewing the attahment points I might be able to remove the entire hose assembly and by attaching a pull line be able to get the new hose through. Anyone out there had a similar issue that could help?

[Cummins12V98]

That's an easy repair! Do as you mentioned attach a pull line, get bad hose out, take to Hydraulic Repair shop, pull new line thru, hook up and cycle jacks!

Caught mine before it blew. Lippert said the orange line is return. Notice how puffy it looks.

[acmay46]

Interesing. DRV says black is return. Either way, do you know if line goes all the way up front to manifold or is it attached to right jack?

[Cummins12V98]

Your type of jack is different. I would tug on the line with someone looking at the manifold and then tugging back at you to confirm the correct line. The line should pull thru since they don't attach them.

[acmay46]

Thanks. However, I did as you said and there is no give at all. The hose that leaks goes all the way to manifold. I suspect some genius zip tied lines all the way to it. I already cut two in manifold compartment. Looks like my only chance of a repair is to splice before the leak with a shark bite or something similar. Not a good way to repair but I am out of options. only way to get full access is to rip out the underlayment all the way up front. This RV has been haunted by problems from day one and DRV has not done anything but say send me a picture, and then no follow-up. But, thanks for your input.

[porthole]

You can’t use shark bite stuff, the system is high pressure

[Cummins12V98]

You need to replace with the same stuff!!! Yer talkin near 3,000psi.

[Cummins12V98]

Another option is to call a hydraulic hose shop. They could splice it for you but you would need to go to them unless they have mobile repair. Check it out!