Leveling springs

oldchief7155 wrote:
Won'the work on a DP. Springs too short and way to strong.

if a mega ton bottle jack won't stretch them how on earth can you do it. a hydraulic cylinder stretches them when in use, why won't it stretch one of them to install it. and if the makeshift shims etc. will stretch the spring????

bumpy

Won'the work on a DP. Springs too short and way to strong.

dakdave wrote:
the way bumpy descibed is much easier than goofing around with shims or washers

yep, sort of blows my mind that people would mess around and do otherwise.
bumpy

the way bumpy descibed is much easier than goofing around with shims or washers

Dale.Traveling wrote:
The hard part is you will need to expand the spring to install. Even when the jack is fully retracted the spring are still pulling the jack up. Probably the best way is to get a couple of dozen of wood shims then bend the spring to open the turns so you can wedge the shims in one at a time until enough are in to expand the spring enough to reach both hooks on the jack. Alternate the shims on each side of the spring so it expands straight. I've seen postings where others have attached the spring between two vehicles to expand enough to get the shims in. What ever will work best for you. Once installed extend the jack and the shims will fall out.

that is a really good idea.

I used big washers instead of shims and a ratchet tie down to stretch spring enough to force washers in. Just put them on opposite sides of spring so it is straight.

Not difficult but time consuming. The springs are the only thing that geld the base plate on my rig.

I'd replace the other front or rear set while at it as they'Re waiting to break at an inconvenient time.

I did the stretching on work bench.

The hard part is you will need to expand the spring to install. Even when the jack is fully retracted the spring are still pulling the jack up. Probably the best way is to get a couple of dozen of wood shims then bend the spring to open the turns so you can wedge the shims in one at a time until enough are in to expand the spring enough to reach both hooks on the jack. Alternate the shims on each side of the spring so it expands straight. I've seen postings where others have attached the spring between two vehicles to expand enough to get the shims in. What ever will work best for you. Once installed extend the jack and the shims will fall out.

Don't know about a DP but on my Ford chassis was a fairly easy job. hooked one side up, placed a small bottle jack under the other side of the lower plate, rose it up to where I could hook the spring onto the top bracket. I ignored the suggestions to use a 2 x 4 as a lever, etc. as no way could I do that considering the physical layout of my RV.
bumpy