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2000 Model 3758 (V10) Jack Spring Replacement
I have recently completed the replacement of all eight HWH leveling jack springs on my 2000 Newmar 3758 Gas Engine V10 and thought I would share the process. I was having a problem with the left rear jack not fully retracting all the time and on occasion, I would get a jack down light while traveling. This was because the left rear jack vibrated down only 1/8 inch or so. I felt it was a weak spring set.
I have HWH P/N AP16112 jacks on the front of the RV and HWH P/N AP15891 jacks on the rear of the RV. A Google search allowed me to find the HWH Manual for these jacks. I determined that all four jacks required one set of P/N R3847 springs. Each set contains two springs. The cost was about $200 for the 4 sets of springs which included shipping. Oddly, the springs were found on the Winnebago Parts Website.
I found a few videos that showed how to remove and reinstall the springs using wood door shims. You need about 12 shims per spring. I used composite shims instead of actual wood shims due to durability. I purchased them at Lowes for about $2.50 per set. I bought two sets of 12. I replaced two springs at a time.
I lowered the rear jacks to the ground and inserted the shims closest to the bottom of the spring. Stagger the shims so that every other shim goes in from the opposite direction. You want to see a fat end then a skinny end. This allows the spring to collapse in a vertical direction and not be bent in a curved direction. The video will show this.
I then retracted the jacks, and the shims prevented the springs from fully compressing. The two springs and the jack pad were easy to remove. The jack did not fully retract by about 1 1/2 inches so I needed to use a 6-foot long 2x4 to assist the jack to the fully retracted position. This is important so that it is easier to install the new springs.
I used two ratchet straps, one attached to my safety chain location (tow car receiver) on the back of the RV and the other to the front tow hook of my Ford F250. I placed the old spring between the two rachet straps and tightened the straps up stretching the springs about 8 inches. This allowed me to easily remove the wood shims.
I then placed a new spring between the two ratchet straps and stretched the spring about 10-12 inches so I could insert the shims near one end of the spring. It is important to place the shims perpendicular to the end hook so that the shims can be easily removed once the springs are installed. I suggest you temporarily place the springs on to the jacks so you can see where the wood shims best fit and can be easily removed while doing your first set of springs.
Once the new springs are installed and the wood shims are still in place, lower the jack about 3 inches. Visually inspect that the springs and jack pad have mated correctly and then you can lower the jack all the way to the ground. Then you can remove the wood shims and spray a little lubricant on the chrome leg. I hope this information will help you in the future.
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