A piggyback ram on one of my leveling jacks is completely shot. Thanks to red tractor I was able to source a whole new jack assembly. I think it will be easier to replace the whole thing instead of just the piggyback ram that extends the jack down. Has anyone done this before and do you have any guidance?
The biggest challenge I foresee is getting the new bolts in to the mounting plate with the springs working against me. I'm thinking I will need to disconnect the springs while it is collapsed, put it up to the mounting surface and bolt it in, and then collapse the jack by hand, and stretch the springs back up to the top connecting rod. Am I on the right track?
I also would appreciate any tips on working under the grand Villa safely. I can't find an obvious place to install a safety stand in the back so I am thinking I will drive up on ramps.
I just replaced the kickdown ram on my '81 12 years ago when cost was the deciding factor. HWH was very helpful back in those days and you could just call and talk to a technician. I did remove and reinstall the springs.
Were you able to stretch the springs back into place by hand once the jack was installed?
Not by hand. It was a long time ago but I believe I jury-rigged a device like the old brake spring tool used with brake shoes back in the day. It went through the hook of the spring and slipped over the spring end bracket and you pried it on.
Reinstalling springs should not be much of an issue.
Get a painter's stir stick and break it into 2" pieces. Bend the spring one way and install a piece. Bend it the other way and install the next one. Repeat, keeping the spring straight until it is the proper length to install. After installation, merely extend the jack to have the "shims" fall out.
Too bad back in 2011 I didn't know about the Forum could have helped many times on the old FT.
I found that the spring pressure wasn't very strong so I levered them on with a screwdriver.
I have installed quite a few of these jacks over the years and never removed the springs to install the jacks. Just leave it retracted and there are 4 bolts 1/2 inch that hold the jack to the mount pad. After you remove the old jack you can see how they are attached. I would use a floor jack to lift it into place and then install 2 bolts and then swing it down to install the other 2 bolts. The smaller jacks I would just lift into place. I was much younger then.
The pipes fit above the axle , right at the metal bump stop pad. The pipe is about 2- 3/4 in long
The jack goes on or off as red tractor says.
That's probably from my coach .
Yes it is from your coach.