Just finished replacing all eight springs on four HWH AP29964, 12000 lbs x 13" straight down leveling jacks on a 2005 KSDP with the new style part # R92642.
As a side note: The jacks were ordered from HWH on Monday and they arrived on Thursday. “Great Service“
The first step was to determine the easiest ans safest way to remove the old springs and install the new springs.
The two anchor holes for the springs on the HWH jacks were measured. The holes were about 17” apart. The replacement springs measured about 14 ˝” between the spring ends. This meant that the new springs had to be stretched about 2 ˝“ for installation.
The best and safest option was to make a spring stretcher.
If the spring was stretched there would be less fighting, prying and it would also be safer for installation of the springs.
Spring Stretcher Parts
2 - 3/8 all thread
4 - 3/8 nuts
2 - 1 ˝ x 1 ˝ x 1/16 angle iron with 3/8 round holes 3” apart
Cut the all thread rods 14 ˝” long
Cut the angle iron 4” long
Note: Do not cut the all thread rods no longer the spring coils excluding the spring hooks. If the rods are too long they will interfere with the connecting the springs to the holes on the jacks.
Step 1
Stretching the spring
Spread the spring about two coils below the tapered part of the spring and install the two angles one at each end.
Positing the clips on the opposite side of the spring anchor opening particularly the top anchor point.
Now stretch the spring - this takes the longest time but after it is done and the first spring is installed it will be well worth the time spent.
Step 2
Motor Home and HWH Levelers
Keep the motor home air bags full and at the normal driving height
The jacks were left in the stored position. There is not need to operate the jacks until all the springs are replaced.
Step 3
Removing the first old spring on one leveler.
Position a small hydraulic bottle jack under the leveler foot pad on the side of the spring to be removed. Extend the bottle jack which will tilt the foot pad and loosen the old spring. The old spring can then be remove will minimal effort which will save a lot of knuckles a frustration.
Install the stretched spring to the top of the jack be sure the angle iron at the top is to the opposite side of the spring anchor opening.
The stretched spring is now longer than the tilted foot pad. Slowly lower the bottle jack and slide the new spring into the foot pad anchor hole.
DO NOT REMOVE THE SPRING STRETCHER AT THIS POINT
Slide the bottle jack to the old spring side which is tilted up. Raise the bottle jack putting a slight pressure on the foot pad under to old existing spring and the new spring.
Now the spring stretcher can easily and safely be remove. It can be removed either by backing the 3/8 nuts off or just by knocking the stretcher out.
The new spring will try to contract but the bottle jack will keep the foot pad at an angle and prevent things from flying all over the place.
Slowly lower the bottle jack and the foot pad will return to a semi level position.
Step 4
Removing the Second old spring
Repeat step 3
Be sure to move the bottle jack as necessary.