Fitting Dormobile roof spiral springs

[slow-lane-Matt]

Has anyone got any experience to share on fitting the roof lifting spiral coil springs, ie the powerful springs that assist you when you lift the roof...

The Dormobile website suggests "Extreme care is needed when replacing these springs. Our advice would be to get an experienced fitter to replace these items"

....but how hard can it be....? I guess the worst that could happen is you lose a finger...

Anyone done this and got any tips, or got any spare springs lying around....

http://www.dormobile.co.uk/pdfs/VWpartsUKEU.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[gas1man]

http://forum.earlybay.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=66618" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Still looking for 1.
No experience on replacement though. Sorry.

J & P

 

[Earlybaybob]

I have recently replaced mine. It wasn't too bad but you need to be careful with using old/original screws or inferior quality. I had the head shear off a bolt and ended up taking interior trim off to get between the roof layers so I could use nuts and washers too!

The first thing to do is that if you open the roof then find a method of holding the struts in place before you disconnect them it will stop them springing shut and denting the roof or breaking your arm!!

Next undo the top nut and bolt that attaches to the bracket on the roof. The top should now slide back into the lower strut.

Next thing is to lower the bottom strut that is still under tension. I extended the inner strut as this gives less resistance as you slowly lower it. It's a bit like an arm wrestle at this point. I put and old cushion off of a sofa underneath incase it snapped shut!

Once fully lowered undo the bolts that attach it to the van roof.

To put the new ones on its a bit easier. Bolt the strut down at the rear hole first then gently raise the strut slightly so it is horizontal and wedge something under it. You now have room to bolt the front hole down.

With the roof propped open, raise and extend the new strut until you can bolt it to the roof.

Hope that helps!

 

[Earlybaybob]

Just re-read your initial post - I bought the whole lift arm assembly. I guess once the original full lift arm is removed the spring will be easy-ish to remove and replace. I don't know how much tension remains once the arm is lowered.

 

[Earlybaybob]

Just re-read your initial post - I bought the whole lift arm assembly. I guess once the original full lift arm is removed the spring will be easy-ish to remove and replace. I don't know how much tension remains once the arm is lowered.

 

[slow-lane-Matt]

Thanks for the comments - for anyone reading this it's easy, the springs are not the issue - you just gotta
make sure you support the roof - which should be obvious if you're removing it's support...

Looking at it it's not even clear what purpose the springs serve, they don't help with the lift or dampen the coming down...