R-pod Owners Forum : Broken suspension http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Mods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : Broken suspension Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Wed, 29 Apr 2026 19:51:08 +0000 Sun, 18 Oct 2015 17:08:55 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=6993 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ Broken suspension : Took it for a test tow yesterday... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=67136#67136 Author: techntrek
Subject: 6993
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.]]> Sun, 18 Oct 2015 17:08:55 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=67136#67136 Broken suspension : I'm hoping for that. I'll... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=67093#67093 Author: techntrek
Subject: 6993
Posted: 16 Oct 2015 at 8:40pm

I'm hoping for that.  I'll find out tomorrow.]]> Fri, 16 Oct 2015 20:40:42 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=67093#67093 Broken suspension : Looks good! That was a big job,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=67086#67086 Author: David and Danette
Subject: 6993
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. Thumbs Up]]> Fri, 16 Oct 2015 17:58:28 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=67086#67086 Broken suspension : Yipee-kayay! DONE. WOW that... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=67081#67081 Author: techntrek
Subject: 6993
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. ]]> Fri, 16 Oct 2015 15:33:41 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=67081#67081 Broken suspension : 3 springs down, one to... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=67035#67035 Author: techntrek
Subject: 6993
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!
]]> Wed, 14 Oct 2015 21:10:15 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=67035#67035 Broken suspension : The rest of the rust was just... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=66980#66980 Author: techntrek
Subject: 6993
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.]]> Tue, 13 Oct 2015 14:50:50 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=66980#66980 Broken suspension : I may have to add: "Spraying... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=66960#66960 Author: johnmaci
Subject: 6993
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]]> Tue, 13 Oct 2015 08:00:53 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=66960#66960 Broken suspension : After multiple parts snafus... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=66912#66912 Author: techntrek
Subject: 6993
Posted: 10 Oct 2015 at 10:13pm

After multiple parts snafus everything arrived and I started on it today.  Of course after getting all the old bolts off I found that the U-bolt/tie plate kit I ordered fits with the spring but doesn't fit over the axle!  So I'll be reusing the old one.  So far I got the spring mounted but I ran out of daylight before I got the axle attached.

You can see what happened with this picture (this is how it is mounted on the camper).  The spring leaf on the bottom is the shortest leaf, and the end you see is how it came from the factory.  The one above it snapped at some point in the past, it was already rusty when I discovered the problem.  Once that happened the top 2 leaves took all of the abuse and kept bending at that same spot until the one 2nd from the top snapped and I'm sure the top one gave way soon after.  Those 2 had fresh breaks with no rust.


]]> Sat, 10 Oct 2015 22:13:21 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=66912#66912 Broken suspension : Originally posted by techntrekI... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=66328#66328 Author: Guests
Subject: 6993
Posted: 23 Sep 2015 at 2:36pm

Originally posted by techntrek

I must have ticked someone off!


Well, the camping gods may be gnashing their teeth against you but, somebody up there must like you. As you mentioned in the first post, had the whole thing let go....the possibilities are too horrible to speak of. Glad to learn you are on the road to getting things sorted out.]]> Wed, 23 Sep 2015 14:36:41 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=66328#66328 Broken suspension : Got it on jack stands this afternoon... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=66297#66297 Author: techntrek
Subject: 6993
Posted: 22 Sep 2015 at 8:42pm

Got it on jack stands this afternoon on the damaged side.  Both wheels rubbed through the plastic above them but no other damage.  Possibly some abnormal wear on the tires but I need to compare them to the ones on the other side to be sure, later.  The springs have four leaves and the 2nd smallest snapped off where the smallest ends, some time in the past since the sheared edge was rusted.  That left a bend point for the 2 largest leaves where they both failed this weekend (no rust on the sheared edges).

I took all the measurements and ordered a new spring and bolts/nuts.  Forgot to get new U-bolts and nuts so I may try to reuse them if they come off cleanly.

I must have ticked someone off!
]]> Tue, 22 Sep 2015 20:42:31 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=66297#66297 Broken suspension : Wow! That is a new one for me.... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=66283#66283 Author: Guests
Subject: 6993
Posted: 22 Sep 2015 at 2:31pm

Wow! That is a new one for me. Up until now, I had not heard of that happening. Maybe I should go check mine....just in case.

You haven't done anything to displease the camping gods again....have you??? ]]> Tue, 22 Sep 2015 14:31:20 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=66283#66283 Broken suspension : The rear leaf spring snapped behind... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=66247#66247 Author: techntrek
Subject: 6993
Posted: 21 Sep 2015 at 8:32pm

The rear leaf spring snapped behind the axle.  Parts of the "leaves" aren't even there anymore - somewhere on the road wherever it let loose.  What is left is attached to that center pivot.]]> Mon, 21 Sep 2015 20:32:08 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=66247#66247 Broken suspension : Was it the leaf spring, itself,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=66213#66213 Author: Guests
Subject: 6993
Posted: 21 Sep 2015 at 11:15am

Was it the leaf spring, itself, or the "center pivot" assembly/bolts on the tandem?
I seem to recall someone selling a more robust bolts/bushings/assembly....if only I can remember who/where. ]]> Mon, 21 Sep 2015 11:15:55 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=66213#66213 Broken suspension : Hey, I'm always up for help!Kegs... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=66197#66197 Author: techntrek
Subject: 6993
Posted: 20 Sep 2015 at 10:18pm

Hey, I'm always up for help!

Kegs are empty on the way home!  Or they are supposed to be...
]]> Sun, 20 Sep 2015 22:18:38 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=66197#66197 Broken suspension : Were you carrying to much beer?... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=66188#66188 Author: Leo B
Subject: 6993
Posted: 20 Sep 2015 at 7:50pm

Were you carrying to much beer? Those kegs can get pretty heavy!!]]> Sun, 20 Sep 2015 19:50:00 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=66188#66188 Broken suspension : Bummer. You can do it!! I just... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=66186#66186 Author: fwunder
Subject: 6993
Posted: 20 Sep 2015 at 7:42pm

Bummer. You can do it!! I just watched the video!

Maybe I can come down and bring that Everclear Watermelon and we could spring the fix. Confused

It is pretty lucky nothing let loose or was rubbing badly on the road.

fred

]]> Sun, 20 Sep 2015 19:42:37 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=66186#66186 Broken suspension : Joy. I noticed on my way home... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=66183#66183 Author: techntrek
Subject: 6993
Posted: 20 Sep 2015 at 7:06pm

Joy.  I noticed on my way home today (5 hour trip home from the shore) that the camper was leaning to the side but thought it was just where it was sitting.  Once I got it into the usual spot on our driveway where it should be level side-to-side, it was definitely leaning.  Crawled under and sure enough the leaf spring on the right-rear axle is broken.  The front half of the spring is there so it is holding the axle in place as it bumps down the road, although only one axle is supporting the weight.  Thank God it didn't all let loose on the road.  We have one more trip planned in about a month so I'll have to either get it to a dealer or get it done myself - add it to my long list.]]> Sun, 20 Sep 2015 19:06:47 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993&PID=66183#66183