I have a 96 Towlight that has a bent guide rod, I got a new one but when I went to put it in, I found the frame mount that the rod secures to was bent and looked like it was fabed uo by someone else with poor fab skills (see picture)guiderodmount.jpg.

the rod pocket is now located too low, causin the rod to bend. I'm a decent welder and want to replace the mount before I install the new rod.
Does anyone have any pictures or measurements of the original mount that I can see, a measurement of how low the mount needs to be to accept the rod would be great as well.

Thanks

-Fred

I would be glad to check for you but it is to cold here for me to be crawling under a trailer, Sorry, maybe someone in a warmer climate will help.

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Rich
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(215TL) - 1995 21' TowLite
(2209T) - 2009 22' TowLite
(2510 ) - 2010 25'

Fred
Having worked on my hydra system I would say that is a poor repair.
One end of the guide rod, at the pump, is pinned with a hitch pin, the other simply inserts into a collar. Your pic shows a set screw that is not supposed to be there in the collar. Or at least on mine!

The measurements are not as important as the fit. The head of the hydraulic ram that moves on the rods determines the spacing. The height of the mount has to be the same as the one that is existing. Its an engineering thing.

The best way to tackle this is to extend the hydra ram and use it to stabilize the ram head. Build a good platform that is strong enough to stay in place with a receiver collar to plug the rod into. Assemble and weld in place.

I would suggest you check on the side that this controlled for a problem with lifting. Un-greased/Bad or immobile pulleys, frayed wires. Something, and maybe just the prior work, is causing the misalignment.
But what caused the original damage????? requiring the existing repair.

hth

steve

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2002 ford f350, 7.3 diesel
1985 hi-lo funchaser
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