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Topic: Grand Villa Leveling Jack Replacement (Read 329 times) previous topic - next topic

Grand Villa Leveling Jack Replacement

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.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Grand Villa Leveling Jack Replacement

Reply #1 –
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.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Grand Villa Leveling Jack Replacement

Reply #2 –
Quote from: craneman –
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?
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Grand Villa Leveling Jack Replacement

Reply #3 –
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.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Grand Villa Leveling Jack Replacement

Reply #4 –
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.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Grand Villa Leveling Jack Replacement

Reply #5 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
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.
Genius!
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Grand Villa Leveling Jack Replacement

Reply #6 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
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.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Grand Villa Leveling Jack Replacement

Reply #7 –
I found that the spring pressure wasn't very strong so I levered them on with a screwdriver.
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: Grand Villa Leveling Jack Replacement

Reply #8 –
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.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Grand Villa Leveling Jack Replacement

Reply #9 –
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 .
 

Re: Grand Villa Leveling Jack Replacement

Reply #10 –
Yes it is from your coach.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins