Help, broken jack spring quick fix?

[pkmesser]

Leaving for a weekend trip in a few hours, and just noticed that I have a broken jack spring. (HWH 325 system). Does anyone have an idea for a quick fix so that I can safely hold that jack up while traveling. My first idea is to retract that jack with a floor jack, leave the remaining spring on it, and put a strong bungee cord on the other side. Also, going to check at hardware store to see if they have a garage spring of the right approximate length.
Thanks for any better ideas.

[Midniteoyl]

A farm store should have the correct, or close enough, spring.. But, I think that spring is used to help the jack retract, not hold it there, correct?

[1ciderdog]

PKM - your solution would work. You might take a longish 2X6 along with you to lay under the jack if you need to use the jack on your weekend trip. Then use the 2X6 to push up the jack before you leave.
Bob

[pkmesser]

Temporary resolution found, two 7 1/2" X 1 1/2" springs linked together were just long enough. Jim, the springs retract & hold the springs retracted. Garage doors springs are way too long. Nearest farm store about 45 miles away, but thats a good idea. Monday will be ordering from HWH. BTW, the temporary fix appears to be a lot stronger than the remaining original spring.

I normally have my jacks down while the coach is stored, with a lot of extension. This probably weakens the springs, so in the future I am going to put at least 3-4 inches of blocks under the pads while stored.

Thanks everyone, let you know how the SumoSprings I just put in work for me next week. (glad that jack spring didn't give way while I was under there putting the SumoSprings on!).

[max49]

Well this may not sound all that professional, but it works better than the OEM springs, but I used 2 instead of 1. Trampoline springs; and they retract faster than than the original springs.

[Airtool]

PK, to get the jack up. You might be able to get one of those hooks used on the heavy rubber bungee cords into each hole where the spring connects.Then thread a small retch strap around the other end of each hook,thread the strap through the ratchet and leverage it up.Will need to shorten the strap some and use some rope skills to hold the end up out of the way or just use some duct tape to hole it from flapping around. If you do not cut it to short it will work to keep pulling it up until you can fine the proper spring. Remember to have some cardboard to lay on if things are on the messy side.

Dick

[pkmesser]

Back from the weekend trip, the temporary "fix" worked ok. (see 3rd post above). This afternoon when breaking down, that jack did not clear the alarm right away, even though it looked to be all the way up. I had my floor jack ready, and gave it a slight nudge with that, and the alarm cleared. I suspect it would have anyway if I had given it a little more time.
Max, did you end up making the trampoline springs a permanent solution? As you can see from my post stating that I had a solution in hand, those small hardware store springs I used were definately stronger than the original HWH spring still in place on that jack!
Thanks again everyone.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkmesser .... did you end up making the trampoline springs a permanent solution? As you can see from my post stating that I had a solution in hand, those small hardware store springs I used were definitely stronger than the original HWH spring still in place on that jack! Thanks again everyone.

pkmesser, Did you know that HWH has released a new spring that replaces the original springs on most older coaches. The old spring when you look at it from the side is square where the hook is. (both sides). The new springs are tapered at the ends rather than square. I believe that they are also stronger. My springs were replaced in July 07 at the GNR. New springs are workin!

Just in case I have a 10 foot long 2x4 next to the rig for an extra shove.

[mikf]

PKM, new springs are not expensive. I would get a new set and keep the one did not break for emergency's.

[Martind4]

The scissors jack from our Jeep Grand Cherokee also works well to retract a jack, much lighter than a floor jack to carry around, but you have to dig it out from under the back seat to use it.

[max49]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkmesser Max, did you end up making the trampoline springs a permanent solution?.

Well, they are apparently working well now. I used to use my "5' cheater" which doubled for breaking the lug nots loose and also prying the jacks up. The 2 trampoline springs bring the jacks up much faster than the single one Power Gear put on. I can't see why I would give PG extra money for new springs just because they used inadequate springs the first time. And my 2 rear ones gave me trouble since it was new. No warranty coverage, because their excuse was the oil was cold.
The trampoline will be permanent as long as they bring the jacks up, and they are not marked up ridiculously in price.

[pkmesser]

Driver;
I need to do some more measurements, but what I had in mind is to replace the rear jack springs with the new style. (I was aware of the new style, didn't know they were stronger, that is good information.) Then move one of those to the front jack position where the spring broke. My rear jacks are too slow when it is cool. I have tried ATF, and Silicone and both have helped, but if the temp is below 40F, my retract time is at or over 4 minutes. Those solinoids are getting quite hot by then. I had to replace one of them last year (coil failure) and I suspect the long retract time was part of the problem. (the coils are energized until the sensor says the jack is retracted). Just one solinoid from HWH is more expensive than the springs for both rear jacks!

[wa8yxm]

You can use jacks and levers to lift the extended jack into the storage position and tie it up with rope till you get to the fix it shop....

Alternative.. Mobile RV repair service.. IN fact if it was Summer and you were near Flint MI I would suggest that as the first option cause the mobile service I use charges half what a dealer would for labor.

Or you could pick up a new spring at the nearest RV supply and put it on yourself if you feel up to the job.

[jdsr]

once you have raised the jack it should stay in place. The springs are for raising the jacks by pushing fluid out and not to lower the jacks.