1998 Starcraft pop-up truck camper, HECO lift manual lift system, nothing on the roof.
I had to do some work on the Heco Manual Lift System in my camper (stripped the gears on the crank) and need a little help re-installing the system. I have not been able to find exactly how much to preload the bars in the tubes. I have the top supported in the up position and the canvas uninstalled. I have read where the down tubes should point out towards the outside of the camper and then draw then in to re-attach. That seems to be a lot of preload. On the other hand the next notch in seems to put very little preload on the torsion bars. I know the torsion bars will develop more assist as the top lowers but just wanted to see if anyone has experience with this system and could steer me in the right direction.
When I disassembled the bars, they were in the notch with very little preload, and the top was fairly difficult to lift. And don't even think about letting go of the handle, it would crash down. I think it was worked on before I owned it.
Thank you for any advice, knowledge and experience you can offer.
I had to do some work on the Heco Manual Lift System in my camper (stripped the gears on the crank) and need a little help re-installing the system. I have not been able to find exactly how much to preload the bars in the tubes. I have the top supported in the up position and the canvas uninstalled. I have read where the down tubes should point out towards the outside of the camper and then draw then in to re-attach. That seems to be a lot of preload. On the other hand the next notch in seems to put very little preload on the torsion bars. I know the torsion bars will develop more assist as the top lowers but just wanted to see if anyone has experience with this system and could steer me in the right direction.
When I disassembled the bars, they were in the notch with very little preload, and the top was fairly difficult to lift. And don't even think about letting go of the handle, it would crash down. I think it was worked on before I owned it.
Thank you for any advice, knowledge and experience you can offer.