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Topic: HWH Springs (Read 694 times) previous topic - next topic

HWH Springs

I just noticed that one of my HWH leveler springs broke. I see a variety of replacements for sale. (see link)
I presume I need to measure the old one for a perfect match.
How will not having a spring affect the jack operation? Is it safe to travel without it? What position should the jack be in when replacing springs?
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: HWH Springs

Reply #1 –
The jack will not retract without the springs. If you compress it manually and ratchet tie it up I think it could be used in an emergency.
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: HWH Springs

Reply #2 –
Slim on our old coach the springs were what retracted the jacks. If you plan to travel I would expect you would need to tie the jack up.
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR

Re: HWH Springs

Reply #3 –
Thanks guys. This is a front kickdown jack. I'm getting a Youtube education.
I spent 10 years in the garage door business and replaced a lot of broken springs -- both wind up and stretch springs.
Many people have been injured by garage door springs and I see people on these videos doing things I would never do.
 
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: HWH Springs

Reply #4 –
Yes, the springs retract the hydraulic ram and have a fairly considerable force.  The rams can be difficult to retract manually with no spring and you may need to us a ratchet strap or two to get it pulled back up and stowed for travel.
Replacement springs are obtainable and are only a major PITA to install  ;D
Looking for a Foretravel 
Current RV: 2009 Tiffin Allegro 32BA

Re: HWH Springs

Reply #6 –
On our 240 there was a couple of  "T" handles on the manifold beside the pump. You could get to it from the underside or remove the right side grill. If you opened one of these valves it would let you raise the jack with very little difficulty. Look around to see if your coach is set up that way.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: HWH Springs

Reply #8 –
Yes.
I have one front jack with springs in the metal pile .
Plus I have both rear jacks still mounted .

Re: HWH Springs

Reply #9 –
Slim,
It's not that hard to do the spring install, with a little fiddling and I used an old craftsman straight blade screwdriver. There's a hole at the top of the jack/spring mount that you can use as a fulcrum for the screwdriver.
The new springs can be obtained from HWH direct as a replacement part, the new springs will be tapered at each end so don't flap, they'll fit just fine. The taper also makes them easier to install.
In the mean time a couple of bungee cords will do the trick, you can still run the jack down for leveling just make sure it's vertical before jacking up.
When you first start leveling after you've dropped the jacks and the bags are deflating go out and make sure it's vertical then finish leveling.
IMHO.
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: HWH Springs

Reply #10 –
I ordered a pair of new springs. Couldn't read the part number on the jack but got it from Brad at Foretravel.
HWH Jack part number is RAP8125.
*A google search for that part number returned this link:
Question about HWH jacks.
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: HWH Springs

Reply #11 –
I'm having a bit of trouble sending photos to slim about this jack spring fix, so.
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: HWH Springs

Reply #12 –
Slim check this.
Small screwdriver
Shackle leverage
Hole to do the levering
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: HWH Springs

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Olde English –
Slim check this.
Small screwdriver
Shackle leverage
Hole to do the levering
Thanks for your help Mick. I don't understand how to use the hole for levering.
I need to stretch both springs at once -- probably about 2" each -- in order to get them to the point where I can connect them to the shackle. I think I'll use some shims.
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: HWH Springs

Reply #14 –
Attach both springs to the footplate make sure you have the long taper there.
Hook the shackle to the back spring then put the screwdriver though where they hook together then put the screwdriver blade into the hole on the jack mount
Levering towards you, you should be able to hook the front spring, then some wiggling to seat everything properly.
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: HWH Springs

Reply #15 –
To keep from having to do the "he-man pull", spend $.02 on a paint stick.  Break it into pieces. Bend the spring one way, insert a "spacer".  Bend it the other way, insert a "spacer".  When long enough to allow it to hook, do so.

Extend the jack and remove the "spacers" (if they don't fall out by themselves).
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: HWH Springs

Reply #16 –
As usual, Brett nailed it. I'm glad it was so easy for Olde English but my springs are simply too short for me to leverage into place. As I mentioned, there are a lot of youtube videos showing various (some very dangerous) ways to stretch a spring and add shims to extend them.
This video is for a much smaller spring but it shows what Brett explained...
https://youtu.be/2RE3NAVpAwA
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: HWH Springs

Reply #17 –
Here is the official HWH instructions in a a pdf file:
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird