Galley & Curb Hydraulic Slides crooked -rams retracting & extending uneven

[Larry Lee]

Thought I would ask the experts before I go any further. Both my Galley and Main slide extend and retract unevenly on my 07 Contessa Laguna 4. Main side front ram trails the rear ram by 4-6". Similar circumstance with the Galley side. I have removed all 5 rams (Genny ram was leaking) and had them rebuilt. Condition same. Drained and replaced all fluid. Tested pump pressure-(1500psi good) Removed pump manifold and thoroughly cleaned and inspected everything. Bench tested all 3 cartridge valves with 12V power-all 3 exhibit the same valve movement. Unfastened the rams from main slide to observe operation without load-same result-rear ram travels faster than front ram. Front ram very slow??? to completely retract???. Swapped rams with same result in front. Galley slide I have forgot what I have done to this point. I have not messed with the slide vertical or rod play adjustments. Removed and tested diverter valve according to Lippert-OK.

At this point I am suspecting a collapsed hose and would sure love to hear from somebody with this or similar condition.
Also need a diagram of the hydraulic lines. None found in Coachnet.
Baffled!!!

PS: I believe the Galley and main slide symptom (identical) are related somehow but I just don't know how without the hydraulic schematic. Many of the hose identification tags have fallen off or are missing.

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

Larry,
I had a similar issue with my 07 Contessa about a year ago. It was caused by leaking hydraulic hoses. if the "plastic" coating is starting to flake off the hoses, it is due to the hoses starting to break down. My problem first showed itself with the slides starting to extend while driving and then retracted unevenly.
Steve

[Larry Lee]

Thanks Steve. I have no slide creeping or leaks but will look into changing out the lines. Out of curiousity Do you recall what a shop charged you?

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

Shop in SC hit me for $5.5K. They said they were able to attach new hoses to the existing ones and pull them through. That surprised me as I thought they were tied into other hoses as they ran through the frame. The initial symptom that started about 6-12 months prior to the slides moving while traveling was that the salon slide would move out about 1" while the coach was stored or the geni slide would move when the salon slide was activated. These symptoms only happened once or twice, making me think I may have had a solenoid leaking.
Steve

[Larry Lee]

$5500 is insane. $400 for 100' 3/16 hose and fittings. Labor is maybe 8 hours. Please tell everyone the name of the place so we don't go there.

[Larry Lee]

Update: Slides fixed! The problem turned out to be a slipped bushing on one of my rail rollers. $9 spent on brass and stainless washers so it never happens again and slides function perfectly again.