Broken Cables and pulled guide shoe off! HELP!
 

We just bought a 1987 HiLo. After repairing interior....2 cables broke:eek:. Any advice on how to find parts to fix it or any tips would be appreciated.

Hi Tina,

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your "new" HiLo. Strange that two cables would go at the same time. Your best bet is to contact the guys at J&R Trailer Repair. They have the cables you need and any other parts you might need. There are articles on this forum about changing out the cables and such. Check out the library section. Personally, I would change out the other two cables also while you are doing it. A chain is as strong as its weakest link. Don't be afraid to ask questions. There are many knowledgeable and experienced people on this forum to help you out. The only "dumb" question is the one not asked. Here is the info on J&R Repair:

J&R Trailer Repair
145 W Elm St
Butler, Ohio 44822

Phone: 419-883-3001
Fax: 419-883-3002
email: CenturyLink - Home

Bob

Tina,
Did one end of the trailer top drop? If yes, it may not have been two cables that broke, I could very possibly well have been the heavier master cable that ties the hydraulic ram lift yoke to the two corner lift cables. You need to get under the trailer to see what failed. If its a master cable, its pretty easy to fix because the entire cable is accessible from under the trailer.

More information is needed for more detailed help... like, what is the current position of the top? Up, down, cocked down on one end. What size trailer do you have? Small trailer tops can be lifted by hand (well strong hands attached to four or more strong bodies). Bigger rigs may need to be jacked.

If you are in an area with light industry, take the broken cable to a rigging repair shop... they should be able to make up a replacement cable. You can also get replacement cable sets from J & R Repair and/or Official Hi-Lo Parts. Both numbers can be found elsewhere in the HTF. Replacing a master cable, using a local cable source, shouldn't be an expensive fix. I had a master cable made up a month ago, to replace an old fraying one, and it cost $60. Took the tech about an hour to remove/install.

Better yet, if you can get the top down and have a reliable trailer repair shop in the area, drag it to them for repair. If you choose to do the work yourself, check the HTF Library, there is a detailed procedure on how to.

Jim

More Info
 

Ok we are talking to the guys at J&R, we have 3 broken cables uggg, the top was cocked towards door and raised in back corner. We have jacked it up with farm jacks and now found that the boards around the whole thing that holds the seal is deteriorated from water damage. We are trying now to figure out how to get the top off now so that all can be replaced also and replace seal. Thanks for all the help, guys.