Lift assist preload? Technique?

[jrod420]

I removed the roof from my 1993 starcraft pop up and the springs sprung during removal. I had forgot about the mechanism being preloaded so when it flung the wrench I was holding and tried to send my thumb with the wrench I realized that I would need some help figuring this out.

How many turns to set the preload and any holding techniques while winding and installing?

 

[kerry]

Looks like you install the mechanism with the roof up and the load is induced by the roof coming down.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/91203-Shadow-Cruiser-Roof