winch cable install?

[Jimmymac]

I have a 97 starcraft starlounge 1224. i have a broken winch cable on the right side. Ive ordered one and wondering how hard it is to replace and does the camper have to be in the up position? Do i need to take the other cable off the winch also to get the rest of the old one off? I have a few more questions but ill start with these. Thanks

[AZsix]

When you say winch I am assuming you are talking about the cable to raise the roof. I have an old Coleman and had a cable break on me. Following the advice from this forum I went to Home Depot and bought the parts, including cable, (aprrox $12) and fixed it myself. It wasn't all that difficult and I had no idea what I was doing when I started. There is a tool (I can never remember the name of it) that squeezes the clamps used when making the loops at the end of the cables which I recommend buying. I'm sure one of the more mechanically inclined people among us can tell you what the tool is called.

If you ordered the cable it will most likely come cut to size and possibly already looped and ready to install. If that's the case you won't need that tool. It looked hard to me at first but it's really kind of straight forward.

Good luck.

[Jimmymac]

The winch im refering to is where the cables wind up on. The one that is broken is on the right side and is broken at the winch. Im just wondering if im going to have to take the winch off to get the broken part off the cable and to install the new one. If the cable was broken farther down i could have just repaired it. The one im replaceing is hooked on by turnbuckles not loops.

[flyfisherman]

The last I knew Starcraft uses two different lifts ... but both are made by Goshen. They are great people and will help you with any information.


http://www.goshenstamping.com/content/lift_system.htm

[ScouterMom]

I've replaced the entire lift cables on my 1973 Starmaster 6 - loads of photos at




Also, I have a copy of the entire lift system manual, that someone photographed and shared with me.  Feel free to copy it from my photo site - it makes things REALLY clear. (when you download them and view them in full size, they are much more readable.)



If, after all that, you have questions, ask.  there's quite a few of us 'vintage starcraft' owners who have done this repair.  It's not difficult, just takes a bit of time and crawling under the camper.

Laura

[ScouterMom]

ps - The camper should be in the up position, crank it up and have someone else support the weak corner and then prop it witha board.  Your manual should tell you how high the gap between roof and body should be, to cut the 2X4 support.  Zip tie the 2X4 to the post once the roof is up, so it doesn't get knocked out while you are working.

Your cables will come (probably) pre-measured tothe proper length - so all you should have to do is anchor the end in the post (usually by a screw) thread it over the appropriate pulleys, through the floor, across the pulleys under the frame and attach to the  (?? no name for it???) metal thingy that holds all the cables together.  the turnbuckles allow you to adjust the tension and roof height.  you may have to fiddle this a few times until the system adjust to the new cable, but it's not a bigdeal.  On my camper, 1/2" on the eyebolt, or in your case, a turnbuckle, is equal to 1" in roof height.

Even if your newer system is different, those diagrams in th manual should really be helpful.

[greatdane]

That tool is called a swaging tool, looks like a pair of bolt/lock cutters, but with spaces in the jaws, and can be specific to certain sizes of cable.  

I paid @$38 bucks at HD, then the dealer finally called back and I bought the correct sized cables for $40.

[ScouterMom]

look for the tool, if you want to make your own cables, at a 'farm supply' store.  The tool is also used commonly for crimping electric fence wire, and is usually cheaper at the farm store as they sell alot more of them than HD does.

Ps - if you want to go to my albums, just click on the phtos above - it should take you to the album those photos are in.

[Jimmymac]

I replaced the winch cable yesterday. Wasnt that bad. My pop up needed to be in the down postion to change it. Thanks for info.

[AZsix]

That tool is called a swaging tool, looks like a pair of bolt/lock cutters, but with spaces in the jaws, and can be specific to certain sizes of cable.  

I paid @$38 bucks at HD, then the dealer finally called back and I bought the correct sized cables for $40.

Ya, that's it. For the life of me I can never remember the name of it. I'll probably forget again in a few days but at least I know where to go to look it up. Thanks. I think I paid about $25 at HD but not real sure.