Struts

[swoeric]

is there any way to verify if struts are new and sealed vs non sealed... I have a set here and don't know the history

[3Dreaming]

Re: Struts

Look for a drain hole near at the bottom end of the strut. The top end the front struts will have a bushing in the bolt hole. If there is no bushing it is not sealed. Look at the top end of the rear struts. If the adjuster lug is hollow see if you can stick a wire down into the strut. If the adjuster is solid remove it and see if you can stick the wire in. If the wire goes into the strut they are not sealed.

[hangarb7]

Re: Struts

OK, so I picked up my new struts at Wag Aero. They came with new clamps and I knew that the cross section was different so that is why they are needed.

What surprised me was the size difference across the width. The main front stuts are only about 1/8" to 1/4" narrower and I know the metal is thicker than the originals, but the rear struts are only 76% of the width of the originals. They look narrow! Only 1-13/16" wide

I have the old Cooper/Superflight Daytona White on my fabric. I have a new can of that process topcoat. Is that what I use for the struts?

I was thinking of having it matched with auto urethane and just paint them with that. Thoughts?

JackD
N44057
'46 BC12D

[jstall]

Re: Struts

OK, so I picked up my new struts at Wag Aero. They came with new clamps and I knew that the cross section was different so that is why they are needed.

What surprised me was the size difference across the width. The main front stuts are only about 1/8" to 1/4" narrower and I know the metal is thicker than the originals, but the rear struts are only 76% of the width of the originals. They look narrow! Only 1-13/16" wide

I have the old Cooper/Superflight Daytona White on my fabric. I have a new can of that process topcoat. Is that what I use for the struts?

I was thinking of having it matched with auto urethane and just paint them with that. Thoughts?

JackD
N44057
'46 BC12D

Jack, goto a paint shop supplier or a dupont place that has a scanner, they probably should or will come out to
the airport, scan you existing paint and can match it pretty close, sometimes its a problem if the original paint
is dull, might need to treat it with some flattener but otherwise I've had good success with this system

[astjp2]

Re: Struts

Don't use auto paint, its not chemical resistant. I use the correct Polyfiber urethane or if I am going cheap, order a quart of enamel. I had the auto paint peel off in sheets if any avgas gets spilled on it. Tim

[Mark Julicher]

Re: Struts

Mark II for metal is available in Daytona White from Aircraft Spruce. A one quart kit is about $120 and comes with the tinted quart, mixing liquid and reducer all for that price. If you go to a local auto store you will pay about the same - my local auto paint store charges me $150 for a quart of custom matched urethane.