Price and availability of wing lift struts

[barnstmr]

Has anyone done price comparison and availability research for replacement wing lift struts. I understand the AD is imminent.

I am in talks with an NDT specialist about the cost for doing eddy current or ultra-sonic inspection. It is pricey. To keep the cost down I am considering hosting a Taylorcraft fly-in here in Texas later this year. Cost can be minimized if the NDT guy can set-up once and do several airplanes in a weekend. My dad's 80X80 hangar in Central TX is ideal for this on a 2000 ft grass strip. It is also close to the NDT company and will keep his travel costs down to nil.

From talking to others who have done the inspection, it sounds like many are finding corrosion. We need a good source of available parts. Univair's struts are good quality but I haven't checked price lately. What is going on with the Factory? .. anybody know if they have struts available? Price?

What about Jury struts? Are these available? Price?

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Price and availability of wing lift struts

I tried the same with a company up here south of Cleveland , he has yet to get back to me. Keep us informed.

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Price and availability of wing lift struts

Univair last I checked was close to $800 per strut. Wag Aero should have them as well. I know Safe Air Repair was making them or going to. Give me a call I left a message on your phone.

Mike

[tabranch]

Re: Price and availability of wing lift struts

I am still surprised that you didn't check the factory first! $834.50

[btbell]

Re: Price and availability of wing lift struts

I spoke to the factory a few weeks ago and they said they plan to put togetehr a package with struts, hardware, etc. They were still working out the details at the time. I will post when I hear how much it is.

Brian

[astjp2]

Re: Price and availability of wing lift struts

This AD thing on the struts still P1$$3$ me off, people keep saying its gonna happen but nobody is showing any stats for inflight failures, % of corrosion, number of struts that have been determined to be unairworthy, age of such condemed struts, the location of said aircraft (the tropics of the Southeast or the desert Southwest) The reason piper got the AD was because of the number of inflight failures and the lack of proper inspections. I dont picture most T-craft flyers will be hanging 4X8' sheets of plywood from the bellies of their aircraft like the cub guys were when one of the inflight failures happened. Well thats my 2cents worth on that subject...

[jCandlish]

Re: Price and availability of wing lift struts

I have been in contact with Univair within the last week and made an inquiry on the price of taylorcraft struts, both forward and aft together cost less than $1400 without cartage and packing.

What I have learned is that struts come in pairs, especially if you want the wings to wash correctly. There is more than 3/8" difference in length between the factory original struts ('39 BC) and the Univair PMA replacements.

Now I will be getting a 2nd set so that my airplane flys nicely hands off.

I can't say if the struts available from other suppliers are different, or if they are all made to the same drawings and in agreement on all dimensions. The Univair struts are stamped 'PMA' on the fuselage attachment weld fillet face.

What is the correct pin to pin length? I'll measure my two different sets and post next Friday.

Cheers
jCandlish
.

[astjp2]

Re: Price and availability of wing lift struts

With only one set available from the factory, If an AD comes out, we will need a lot more...Tim

[marc]

Re: Price and availability of wing lift struts

howdy all, i wonder how hard it would be to get a set of stuts from de aircraft and get them approved.marc

[btbell]

Re: Price and availability of wing lift struts

All,

I spoke to the factory yesterday and was told to check out the website in the next two days or so for pricing on the packages they will be putting together. I agree it will be interesting to see how the factory and other suppliers supply enough struts once this AD is released.

As for comments on the need for this AD: do we need to wait for a bunch of inflight failures to initiate an AD? I do not know a lot of the history behind how this AD started and the data presented to the FAA. While I do not want to have to purchase a set of new struts and spend the money,
I feel that $2500 is worth the safety factor....nobody can replace their life in the event an inflight failure occurs.

Not meant to be criticial on anybody....just another view on the topic.

Regards,
Brian

[M Towsley]

Re: Price and availability of wing lift struts

Brian,

Do a little research on this site and you will find the information as to how this came about. Safety is paramount, I'm just hard-pressed not to believe a certain person in Texas isn't wringing his hands in glee over this unfortunately timed accident and its resultant ultimate increase in his bank account numbers.

[crispy critter]

Re: Price and availability of wing lift struts

Marty...that may be true but I have had several t-crafts come and go and the Strut AD is one that really needs to be addressed,in case your wondering,I have nothing to gain and lots to loose if/or when the AD does go into effect.

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Price and availability of wing lift struts

Service bulletin yes, AD no. It has never been an issue before and there would not be an AD on Pipers if guys were properly inspecting them and not trying to fly them at twice their gross weight. A better trained or qualified mechanic is a better answer which leads to more thorough annual inspections which is where these issues should be caught and addressed. I can think of several companies, Continental and their VAR crankshafts being at the top of my list, where AD's were implemented to sell more product. I will refrain from further crawling up on my soap box.

Mike

[Winston L.]

Re: Price and availability of wing lift struts

You are 100% correct Mike.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Price and availability of wing lift struts

WE all know this, now quit gripping amongst yourselves and comment to the FAA on the SB , I will not print mine yet as it does no good to merely copy someone else. Use your own expert reasoning and comment.
One of my BIG problems is IF the Taylorcraft Factory and the FAA is so concerned, WHY has the SB not been sent directly to the owners. In my opinion all "factories" should share the malfunction & defect reports ( M&D's) as soon as they get them. The FAA will provide them the mailing lists.
I did find out yesterday that the NTSB investigator found out from ME about the Taylorcraft AD 47-16-03 , the FAA nor the factory mentioned it to him. Then there is the Experimental certification of this particular aircraft.

All aging aircraft become a problem, corrosion being only one of them. I am fighting the extreme heat battle here in Alliance getting ready for a big airport party this week-end, anybody nearby stop in after Noon on Sat & Sun...