Bleeding the hydraulic cylinder
 

Does anyone know the proper way to bleed any air out of the hydraulics? I'm pulling a 2005 17T.

I've tried the suggestions with the lowering knob but our top still creeps down. We were so low on fluid when the problem began I can't help but think there might be some air in the system.

Thanks!

I had issues with my hydraulic and replaced several parts.(rebuilt )
Never had to bleed system, and I don't know of a bleed port anyway.
If you look at the system, it is such a short travel from the pump to the hydraulic ram body , and uphill, that I don't think that is an issue.

Just maintain your fluid level. In the down position!!!!!

Creep is not really an issue.
Let it rest on the safety bar
I have for years

Thanks for the input. Glad to know I'm not only one relying on the safety bar.

The weird thing is that it wasn't creeping down for some time until recently.

Try this procedure. I do this every six months as preventative maintenance.

https://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f61/...o-trailer-129/

My hi-lo is much older.
The seal and lowering pin can get contaminated with small debris in the fluid and doesn't get a good seal. So pressure is lost and the top creeps down from its own weight.
You can try purging/flushing the fluid to reduce this problem...but it may still remain. Least costly!
You can rebuild/replace the lowering pin and seal on front of pump...but it may still remain. This was not my choice since mine is sooooo old.
Now it is getting more costly.

Ruben's listed procedure is good and does work.

or you can just live with it and call it good.

My call

Thanks RCR. I've tried this procedure a few times to no avail :(

I may try replacing the fluid. That's not a bad idea.
Have you replaced a lowering pin? I wonder how much trouble that would be.

Montana, Did you ever figure out the problem and accomplish a repair? I am having the same problem after the transmission fluid being low in the hydraulic system. Never had a problem before this happened. Can't find a leaking source and have followed the debris removal procedure noted earlier in this post without success. The top will only very slowly raise to the safety bar if I physically help it the last couple inches. Once the raise button stops raising, the top immediately begins to lower but not as fast as when the lowering button is pushed.

I never did figured it out. Mine lowers so slowly, that, even in the unlikely event that the safety bar were to fail, a person would have plenty of time to remedy the problem before being squashed.
I would still like to correct the issue. I might get it to a service joint one day.

Is there fluid in the plastic hose, the one going back to the resv? Or on the ground? It kinda sounds like an internal leak in the piston. A local heavy equipment repair place can rebuild it in a day or so. Here in FL, it cost about $200. Ensure they test it to 2600 PSI with Dextron 2 thru 4 AT fluid.