[Chester Stone]

I have fabricated a 1/2" pipe clamp to compress the 4 gas springs that lift the rear engine cover. The pipe is long enough to compress the 28" springs and I ground down the pipe clamp edges to 1 & 3/16" to fit in between the spring housings. I will bring it to So. Dakota if anyone wants to us it to change out their springs. Photos attached.
           

[rheavn]

Chester,
Nice & simple! I like it.

[rheavn]

Chester's design on this tool is very good. If you want to build one you need to use the 1/2" Pony pipe clamps. The reason is that you need the clamping lever to be able to slide to avoid interference with the coach as you tighten or untighten. The 3/4" Pony pipe clamps have a non sliding type clamping lever.

1/2" http://www.amazon.com/52-2-Inch-Clamp-Fi...B0000224CA

3/4" http://www.amazon.com/Jorgensen-50-4-Inc...pipe+clamp

[Chester Stone]

Today, I made a gift to the muscles in my back. I installed four new gas springs to lift the heavy engine access door in the back of the coach. I will bring the clamp that I fabricated to the Arkansas rally.

[encantotom]

chester, that is awesome

you always come up with cool stuff.

tom

[Chester Stone]

Thanks Tom, that is a nice thing to say.

[qcj]

Chester, that is great. I've also used Bessey wood clamps with great results with no alteration. 150 lbs is a lot of push. I think the way you did this is better.

[David and Teresa]

I made one of these and it worked great. Thanks!