Quote:
Originally Posted by moorefc
Another thing you can do to make removing the pins (if just replacing them) is to tie the springs off when the top is part way up, then jack the top the rest of the way. The spring load is then off the bars and on your lashing...I have an old post describing it but this is the idea...it was born out of desperation (no come-along) with a broken bolt in the wilds of E Ca deserts...Jacking/lifting the top really isnt that difficult with 4 2X4s...
The issue is the tension load the springs put on the bars needs to be eliminated.....
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Thanks for the tip. I did a test run with the come-along, bottle jacks, and blocking and it was super easy! Come along will become a permanent kit addition in the van though incase some carnage happens on the road. Unfortunately I had to take it all down b/c I forgot I had to take the van in for a smog check to renew my registration. Yay California!
At least the exercise gave me an opportunity to test the spring adjustments. I took an extra link off each side of the chain so its hooked on the 5th link now to compensate for the extra weight of an Aluminess rack and 320 watts of Solar. I can lift it prett easily my self now. I think I need to cut a few of the extra chain links off now b/c the slack doesn't fit well in the track and I don't want it to accidentally bind.
Now I get to do it all over again next weekend.