'
1
Forums Albums Skins 1
Search Register Logon


You are logged in as a guest. Logon or register an account to access more features.
OTHER FORUMS:    Barrel Horses  -   Trucks   -   Cutting  -   Reining  -   Roping 
'
how to replace ramp springs

Jump to page : 1
Now viewing page 1 [25 messages per page]
Last activity 2012-06-01 7:50 PM
6 replies, 19048 views

View previous thread :: View next thread
   General Discussion -> Trailer Talk  Click to return to Barrel Talk
Refresh
Message format
 
horseygirlpaul
Reg. May 2010
Posted 2010-05-18 7:39 PM (#120326)
Subject: how to replace ramp springs


New User


Posts: 2

Location: Gowen, Michigan,
The ramp springs are broken on out Merhow trailer and we purchased new springs. Now we need to find out how to compress the springs to install them.
They are torsion springs and are very strong. Is there a tool that compresses them? Any ideas?
share Top of the page Bottom of the page
loveduffy
Reg. Feb 2006
Posted 2010-05-18 10:15 PM (#120335 - in reply to #120326)
Subject: RE: how to replace ramp springs



Expert


Posts: 1871
10005001001001002525
Location: NY
Have you tried calling the a deal and asking sometime they are willing to give you the answer 
share Top of the page Bottom of the page
humnbass
Reg. Feb 2011
Posted 2011-10-27 7:29 AM (#138541 - in reply to #120326)
Subject: RE: how to replace ramp springs


Member


Posts: 12

Did you get your springs replaced.  Also, can you tell me where you purchased your springs.  I have an old Merhow trailer and I'm trying to find the springs for the horse ramp.  So far, no luck.

 

thanks

share Top of the page Bottom of the page
BigT
Reg. Oct 2003
Posted 2011-10-27 8:15 AM (#138542 - in reply to #120326)
Subject: RE: how to replace ramp springs


Extreme Veteran


Posts: 402
100100100100
Location: Lockport, Illinois
Just scroll down this website, and you should find your springs.http://www.horsetraileraccessorystore.com/ramp_assist_springs.htm
share Top of the page Bottom of the page
tobruk
Reg. Oct 2003
Posted 2011-10-27 8:19 PM (#138561 - in reply to #120326)
Subject: RE: how to replace ramp springs


Veteran


Posts: 186
100252525
Location: White Pine, TN
None of the springs referenced will work on the Merhow. WE have some or you can get them directly from Merhow. They are bears to replace as you have to torque one of the ears a full 270 degrees. We've developed a jig that we use that is very similar to what they use at the factory. It's still a trick to do it and not get hurt.
share Top of the page Bottom of the page
horseloversdad
Reg. Jun 2012
Posted 2012-06-01 2:36 PM (#144418 - in reply to #138561)
Subject: RE: how to replace ramp springs


New User


Posts: 1

Location: Ohio

I just completed installing new ramp springs on my Merhow. This is a dangerous job and I'd recommend a pro do it. But if you're determined to do it yourself, read on. If you prepare a jig to hold the spring, I believe it can be done relatively safely. Here's what I did: If you have a garage door, look up at the steel angles that mount the rails to the garage ceiling. That's basically the jig. Start by BOLTING (bolts not screws) a 3-4 foot piece of this type angle to a 2X4 foot, heavy piece of plywood. Place it parallel to the 4 foot length and about 8 inches from the left side. Then bolt about a foot long piece of angle to that one sticking straight up. The exact height depends on the height of your ramp hinges off the ground. A 3rd piece running at an angle from the verticle piece down to the left side to the plywood and another piece angled back to the 3 foot piece. All attached with bolts. You don't want anything coming loose because this is a giant mouse trap and you don't want to be the mouse.  The verticle steel angle will now be very stable. You can then use U bolts and a piece of flat steel to clamp a piece of 1/2 inch pipe into the Vee of the verticle steel angle and drop a piece of 1/4 inch pipe into that to hold the tang of new spring while you torque it. The pipe needs to be the right length so that the spring will fit right up to the hinge. 

Torqueing the spring is done by sliding a 2 foot piece of 1/4 inch pipe down the center of the spring and putting another 2 foot piece of 1/4 inch pipe with a 1/2 inch piece sleeved over it for strength on the other tang (the first tang  is stuck into the jig). To hold the torquing pipe in place once it's torqued, attach a U bolt and a piece of heavy chain near the other end of the 1/2 inch torquing pipe. An eye bolt through the plywood and heavy carabeener type clip (like for a water bucket)on the other end of the chain will secure the pipe once it's torqued. 

You torque the spring starting kind of cross handed with the left hand holding the pipe that goes down the center of the spring. Rotate the spring to the right and parallel to the hinges as you pull the torquing pipe over and to the left with your right hand. Torque the spring so that the pipe is about horizontal, then clip the chain to the eye bolt to hold it down. Now the whole thing should be stable and can be slid up to the hinge rod. Slack off pushing on the torquing pipe slowly to make sure everyrthing holds and keep you body clear of where that pipe would go if it got loose. I actually knelt on the plywood, got the spring pretty much lined up, torqued the spring, anchored it to the plywood with the chain and then had my wife hit the plywood with a sledge hammer to align me and the whole jig into the exact right place. The pipe down the center of the spring should be able to be removed once the torquing pipe is secured so you can align the spring right into the line of the hinge rod. After pounding the hinge rod through to the next hinge, the torquing pipe is pushed down, the chain unclipped and the torque is gently released.

I suggest using a new hinge rod so that it goes in easier and that you grind a pencil tip point on it so you can easily slip the end of each spring into it and so it aligns easily with the next hinge point. Use the trailer's jack or shims under the plywood to adjust the height of the jig and you might even have a large C clamp and a tire jack handy to clamp the spring exactly where you want it while the rod is getting pounded through. Finally, I got a bunch of really small hose clamps to put on the spring tangs so that the pipes didn't get up between the spring and the trailer.     

share Top of the page Bottom of the page
horseygirlpaul
Reg. May 2010
Posted 2012-06-01 7:50 PM (#144422 - in reply to #144418)
Subject: RE: how to replace ramp springs


New User


Posts: 2

Location: Gowen, Michigan,
Wow! Great writeup! We took ours to a guy that works on trailers and he had no idea how to do it, but figured it out. He welded up a jig, probably something similar to yours. Thanks for the info. I'm sure someone will benefit from your effort.
share Top of the page Bottom of the page
Jump to page : 1
Now viewing page 1 [25 messages per page]
Jump to forum :
Search this forum
Printer friendly version
E-mail a link to this thread
Message format
 

'
Registered to: Horse Trailer World
(Delete all cookies set by this site)