Goshen lift system problem

[paprap]

Hey All, Hoping for some help identifying our problem. We were putting up our 2015 Viking PUP, had it level and the safety channels were in. I was just about pull the front bed out and something went bang and the front of the camper came down about a foot. I lowered the camper, but only the back would come down. Eventually, I got it down by pulling the front down manually. Looking underneath, the front springs were all the way out of the channel and laying across the axle. Drove back home and did a few you tubes and decided to put the springs back in and try again. This time the front wouldn't go up at all and after couple cranks the springs popped out again, except this time the springs were bent. I know I need new springs, but how do I find the root cause? I'm thinking the bent springs might be a symptom of the real problem. TIA
Paprap

 

[1380ken]

The springs should not be able to come out of the tubes. How did they come out of the tubes, pictures?

 

[paprap]

 

[Firehawk068]

As you already know, the Springs go into the "Lower" rectangle-tube.
There are brackets that the front spring-tubes bolt to. Yours broke! They hold the front spring-tubes to the main-tube assembly.
Half of those brackets are still bolted to the front of the main-tube assembly. The other halves are still bolted to your front spring-tubes.
I'm pretty sure that you would just need new front brackets. Those springs are pretty flexible, but if they are severely kinked you should probably replace those as well.

Edit: After looking at pictures I took when I had mine apart, those brackets may be permanently attached to the spring-tubes?
In that case, you would need to buy new front spring-tubes or have somebody weld the brackets back together.

 

[Firehawk068]

 

[paprap]

Thanks. Do you think this is weldable?

 

[Firehawk068]

I think so.
If it was mine, I would try to weld it back together. (I'm not a "welder", but I can weld)
It would all need to be cleaned up really well first though.
Un-bolt the spring-tubes from the front corners of the camper-frame and pull them down.
Un-bolt both front tubes from each-other and pull the springs completely out of them.
Un-bolt the parts of the brackets that are still attached to the main-tube assembly.
After cleaning everything thoroughly, you should be able to see exactly where they broke off from.
Maintain orientation and weld them back together.
Reassemble everything back the way it came apart.
Grease the springs really well before putting them back into the spring-tubes. Yours look like they don't have any grease on them, and might be why those brackets broke trying to raise the roof.

 

[paprap]

thanks to all for the help. One more question...on the main channel, I only have one zirk fitting which is on the top and services the rear springs. There is none for the front springs. Nor is there a hole for one. Exactly where should I install one relative to the spring tubes? The threaded end of the zirk will extend into the main channel.
Thanks for any help.

 

[Firehawk068]

There should be a Zerk fitting on the bottom of the main tube near the front that is for the front springs.
It may have broken off when you had your issue with the springs in your picture, but it should have been there from factory.
If you absolutely can't find the original hole, or if you are certain there was never one there, you can drill a small hole and install a Zerk fitting anywhere near the front of the main-tube at the bottom.

 

[paprap]

Thanks. I found it. The water tank was installed over top of it. I had to drop the water tank to get to it. Probably why the previous owner never greased it. There was no grease whatsoever before. It’s loaded up now!
Thanks again