Broken suspension |
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johnmaci
Senior Member Joined: 17 Jun 2014 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 202 |
Topic: Broken suspension Posted: 13 Oct 2015 at 8:00am |
I may have to add: "Spraying the leaf springs with WD40 at the end of each season" to my winterizing checklist
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 13 Oct 2015 at 2:50pm |
The rest of the rust was just surface rust so I wouldn't worry too much about it if you have a camper with springs. The pods have torsion suspensions.
I think the root cause here was undersized and/or defective springs. Seeing the new one next to the other 3 older springs (that are completely flat under load) makes it obvious all of them need to be replaced. One of them even has a slight bend on the upper leaf in the wrong direction. The new one has a noticeable bend upward like it should. Which is why I took a deep breath - knowing how much labor was involved to change just the one broken spring - and ordered 3 more. These are all rated at 2600 pounds (10,400 total) so far more than the actual load of around 7000 pounds when it is ready for a trip. All new mounting bolts, too. I am re-using the u-bolts and tie plates although as I was removing a bunch of stuff yesterday I managed to snap one of the u-bolts. Ordered another today and that wasn't easy to find with the specs I needed. Yesterday I picked up an air tool set to help with the labor, a good excuse. My air pump isn't big enough so that will need to be updated eventually, but it is enough to help a bit for now. The adventure continues. |
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 14 Oct 2015 at 9:10pm |
3 springs down, one to go. You can see the proper bend in the new spring, and the flat old spring. It even has a slight bend in the wrong direction on the uppermost leaf, on each end. Now with both new springs on the left side it is sitting 2 1/2 inches higher than the right side. Hope to continue tomorrow!
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 16 Oct 2015 at 3:33pm |
Yipee-kayay! DONE. WOW that was a big job. I'll take it for a test tow tomorrow and then check it over to make sure nothing worked loose. Can't wait to get a larger air compressor for those air tools.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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David and Danette
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 24 Nov 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1214 |
Posted: 16 Oct 2015 at 5:58pm |
Looks good! That was a big job, now you have a little more ground clearance. With stiffer springs I think that it would handle better towing.
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2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 16 Oct 2015 at 8:40pm |
I'm hoping for that. I'll find out tomorrow.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 18 Oct 2015 at 5:08pm |
Took it for a test tow yesterday and I definitely feel an improvement. No "lumbering" back and forth (the top swaying left-right), more stable overall. I didn't get a perfect test though, since I didn't do what I always do before a trip - check the tire pressure. All of the tires were fairly low so it should feel even more stable next time I put it on the road.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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