Upcoming torsion bar replacement

Larryjb · 03-27-2019, 04:45 PM

The 13/16 x 82 is $175, the 3/4 x 82 is $150.

**rickst29** · 04-02-2019, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larryjb

The 13/16 x 82 is $175, the 3/4 x 82 is $150.

Sounds good so far - but 82" product length requires truck freight, right?

Slightly OT: My overweight 2619 also has a pretty severe lifting problem with the front shell (factory A/C, plus about 35lbs of Solar panels). Bars for the "stern" of the shell are still OK, but the "bow" pair require a ton of effort. In comparison to upgrading the bars, it might be cheaper and easier to replace the two "glass" panels with flex. But I'll SWAG that the bars up front are pretty much worn out after more than a dozen years, and 35 lbs won't be enough "weight loss" to make a huge difference.

**ShrimpBurrito** · 04-02-2019, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickst29

Sounds good so far - but 82" product length requires truck freight, right?

I have no idea what the factory is doing these days, but I know several years and a few ownership changes ago, they were been willing to ship large bulk items like torsion bars, axles, etc. along with new units going to dealers. Obviously not door-to-door, and requires waiting for the next shipment of TMs, but could potentially represent a significant cost savings.

Dave

Larryjb · 04-05-2019, 06:06 PM

Shipping was not outrageous. 82 inches is about 7 feet, so it would be trucked, but could probably be trucked on any regular delivery truck. I had mine sent to a parcel receiver in Blaine WA. I believe it took less than a week to deliver because it just arrived there. I'll probably pick it up next week when I go to fill up on gas.

**rickst29** · 04-06-2019, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larryjb

Shipping was not outrageous. 82 inches is about 7 feet, so it would be trucked, but could probably be trucked on any regular delivery truck. I had mine sent to a parcel receiver in Blaine WA.

That's great to hear - I'll look forward to your installation photos.comments, and follow suit.

Larryjb · 04-12-2019, 06:50 PM

Two torsion bars arrived today. Shipping was $80, but that was pretty much across the continent. I'm sure I could have saved shipping by having all the torsion bars I'd need shipped at once, but I can't afford to replace all the torsion bars at once, and the others weren't maxed out, as far as I know.

They were shipped in a cardboard tube, with padded cardboard on the ends. When I left the depot, the others waiting were very curious, so I told them I was joining a jousting tournament. I actually had at least one of them going for a moment! (Imagine the armor you'd need against those... oh my...)

I won't be getting to the bars for a couple of weeks, and then I'll be working out the procedure so I don't clutter the forum with useless information like jousting gear.

BrucePerens · 04-12-2019, 08:21 PM

I'm really interested in how much they help. My front bars are maxed out by my modification to restore the roof curvature, and I think I can make the right one larger, but the left one is already the maximum size. If they really lose a lot of strength, there's some hope for that one. I can make the rear bars larger, but I think the problem is more in the front.

Awolf123 · 05-18-2019, 02:27 PM

ups useally delivers them

Larryjb · 05-20-2019, 12:47 PM

I just heard back from Sonja. She put me in touch with Jacob who has been very helpful. Because Jacob is not listed as a contact on the web page, I'll respect his privacy and keep his e-mail private.

I will have to remove the roof from the lift arms, and install the lift arm onto the torsion bar, then I can flex it into the roof and install. This 20° forwards angle is intentional.

The end of the torsion bar must be ground down to match the opening in the lift arm. So, I should not just ram the new torsion bar into the lift arm.

**rickst29** · 05-17-2019, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickst29

Slightly OT: My overweight 2619 also has a pretty severe lifting problem with the front shell (factory A/C, plus about 35lbs of Solar panels). Bars for the "stern" of the shell are still OK, but the "bow" pair require a ton of effort. In comparison to upgrading the bars, it might be cheaper and easier to replace the two "glass" panels with flex. But I'll SWAG that the bars up front are pretty much worn out after more than a dozen years, and 35 lbs won't be enough "weight loss" to make a huge difference.

This sounds difficult, so I went ahead and I changed the "glass" panels to flex panels. I won't be trying the lift until my new battery arrives 1-2 weeks,and I proceed with interior mods. (The LFP battery will be inside the coach.)