-
changing bay door compression struts
Is there any majic to changing the bay door compression struts? I have been told not to do it myself and also that some mechanics have a tool that compresses them slightly for installation. Anybody heard of such a tool?
I do see a tool featured on the forum which looks like a long pick that helps release the wire clip that holds them on the ball joint. Question is if you need that tool to reach the clip, how do you then get the old strut off and the new one on?
-
20 Replies
-
There is no real magic to replacing them as long as you have good access to each end. The problem is some converters arranged the bays so that access is not what it should be without taking a lot of stuff apart.
-
Al just did his…he can tell you how challenging it can be !!
Diane
-
I just replaced one. Nothing to it. The trick is to put a board under the door to lift it a bit beyond regular open position. This takes all the load/force off the strut. Then just unclip the little wire that locks the ball into the fitting and replace. Any little flat blade screw driver will help unclip the wire. Can get tricky if you cannot get to the inboard strut end easily.
Gerald
1999 XLV X-6872, liberty #440 -
If you have an H, just remove the rubber stop holders and that gives you enough to change out the struts with little trouble.
-
Where do you buy these struts? Prevost still carry them?
-
I got mine from Prevost (only 14- small bay doors on a 40″ only take 1) and they cost around $ each26.00.
Took two of us about a half an hour to change them all. One to hold up the doors to relieve the pressure and to help line it up. My helper is really skinny and has long arms. Once we got the hang of it after the first one, it was cake. It’s so nice to have the bay doors stay up.
-
Thanks Bill. Need a couple.
-
I hope you sent your helper flowers and took her out to dinner for helping, Bill.
-
In addition to what Tom said, you can also loosen the ball pivot mount which the strut attaches to on the door itself. By doing that, it gives you a little play. Then slip the end on, and there is enough room to tighten it back with the strut attached.
-
Jon, She wasn’t my helper, but it still cost me dinner, no flowers, but a new (toad) car.
-
Ouch!!!!!!
Remind me to never try to negotiate with that gal. She’s tough.
-
I installed thses spring on my XL2 Marathon, I used a 2X4 to prop the door open pull the clips and pull the spring off of the hinge post. The other choice is to have someone to hold the bay door open.
-
Just a cautionary note……….If you are going to place something under your coach, such as the 2X4 to temporariily hold the bay door open, keep in mind that unless your coach is all the way down on the suspension, or your are confident it does not have the leans, no matter how slow, you could end up with damage.
We caution people to not get under a coach unless it is supported because of the risk it can come down. The same caution applies to putting stuff under a bay door or anywhere where the coach can be damaged for example because if the coach does settle a little you could damage the door or the arms which were never intended to support the coach.
-
Jon … Thanks for the caution! Something that is easy to forget about.
Once the “half round clip” is pried off, it is just a matter of forcing the end of the strut off the round ball? Or is there more to it than that?
-
Dick…
Let me chime in here…
The struts are available from Prevost at the best cost and basically next day delivery…
Only about $29 per strut…
These are 200 # struts… I said 200 #….
They are not weak… Once the band is pried off of the old one, it is an easy exchange. Simply set the new one on the ball on each end and away you go… about five minutes per door… just did mine…
You should have a clip on each door to help hold it in place.
Any questions…713 725 9486
Pres
Log in to reply.