A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

[Buell Powell]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated Oct 2007)

Robbie,
I called Wag Aero yesterday and talked to Tom O'Neal. He is supposed to call me Monday after checking on getting the AMOC. When I hear from him I will let you know. Tom said they have hundreds of PMA's and for some reason getting the paperwork from the FAA for the Taylorcraft struts has been much more of a problem than anything else they have done. If you hear anything please let me know. I called Univair and they said it could be months before they get the pre-war's and F19s added to their PMA. I am getting some struts for a Cub and was hopeing to order everything together to save on shipping but I may order my T/craft struts from Alaska Airframes if it looks like it will be a very long time before Wag Aero has the AMOC.

[robbie]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated Oct 2007)

Gospel according to Robbie
Anyone of you on the fence about replacing your struts or buying new ones
consider this.
The suppliers out there now are selling their struts as cheap as they are going to be.
In the future when orders go back to normal, and they are making two sets to keep in stock they will be $2800 or more. Excluding Harrys $4500's.
I have decided to replace my for that reason. Still hoping Wag-areo get their approval soon.

[stormman]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated Oct 2007)

Just checked with 44496
It said it don't give a shit either

[astjp2]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated Oct 2007)

It is funny that everyone seems to be worried about all of the specs of the struts, :sleeping: I have one question...why would any owner care? an owner needs to be asking things are they approved? Can I get them to match color? How much? Any more than that and an owner is wasting time worrying about the small shit that does not matter!:ass: Does your airplane really care if the strut is made from ..049 wall or .053 wall tube? I dont think that my airplane has enough intelligence to care if the struts ever get inspected! Your inspector might but the airplane wont! I am an IA and getting my DAR, I wont let it bother my sleep. Well that is enough of my soap box for tonight:joy: I dont think that my airplane will fall out of the air just yet. Tim

[Victor White]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated Oct 2007)

I ordered my struts from Univair this past Friday. They said to expect my air delivery by next Friday; at a cost of about $80.00, if I pick them up at Tampa airport. I could get delivery to my address for $135.00.

Airframes, Inc. gave me a delivery date of four weeks and a shipping cost of $220.00 plus a $50.00 crating charge.

[DanBrown]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated Oct 2007)

I believe both the factory and Airframes struts satisfy the AD for all the Taylorcraft models listed. Univair is working on extending their PMA to cover the list, but as of now their struts could not go on a pre-war model.

Both Airframes and Univair are making deliveries currently (mine from Airframes arrived a week ago -- price including packaging and shipping to Maryland was $2025) and their shipping time quotes seem to be accurate.

The factory has yet to make a delivery, and their delivery time estimates have continued to be delayed.

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated Oct 2007)

List below is updated as of 071110 (10 November 2007)

Prices below are for four struts only, 2 front and 2 rear. I kept it to 4 struts only so its a fair compare. Don't compare a price with jury struts included to a price witout them. Just keep it to comparison of the four needed struts.


********** I only list FAA/PMA sources below **************

1) Univair about $1896 => http://www.univairparts.com/

2) Tayorcraft about $3235 => http://www.taylorcraft.com/zencart/
note after 11/15 price is higher

3) Airfames Inc about $1800* => http://www.supercubs.com/taylorcraft_lift_struts.html
* base strut includes jury strut clamps too

[robbie]

Wag-Aero Struts

I spoke with Wag-Aero today and their paper work is finished up here in Wisconsin. They have forward it to Texas for approval that meets the AD requirements for el imitation the repeat inspection for struts.
I asked about cost and it was stated around $450.00 per struts. I asked what material they were going to be made from, "4130" and the same size as their struts for the J-3 cub.
Good enough for a Cub good enough for my T-craft.
Harry: 4130 struts, $450. per struts.

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated Oct 2007)

Regarding buying struts v inspecting struts. If you're using the logic above, in 12 years figure double everything. Double $ for the inspection and double $$ for the replacement. Meaning, if you can afford it now -- replace it now. You'll thank your future-self when each inspection is $600. and replacement is $4,000. and you haven't wasted 12 years of ever increasing inspection cost. It's basically the same argument for renting a house now and buying a house later. Right now -- buy. When prices are down.
Chances are the price of struts will never go down any further. As they make fewer and sell fewer struts in the near future... then the per unit price will likely increase... or... perhaps struts will become an orphaned item again. This tends to happen from time to time as the factory appears and disappears.
Think of these struts as an irreplacable trophy. You'll not get too many more chances to own, what you already want, so get it done while you can.
With regards; ED OBRIEN

[hoosier]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated Oct 2007)

Would the cost from univair be each or a pair? and if the inspection cost, was- say 300.00 every 2 years, then would it not be 12 years before you reached the replacement cost of 1800.00

[flyguy]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated Oct 2007)

Just searched for Univair and got 11 pages, so much for that approach. Think I have read everything here anyway, and have only seen one specific bit--that the wall thickness was .035. (Edit: believe this was for Airframes struts--will check again)
Oh, also a ref that one was using mild and the factory was using 4130.

Have to try another approach I guess.

OK found it (or rather one of them,) directly from UNIVAIR here:
Our Taylorcraft front struts are approved and manufactured with .049” wall fronts and .035” rear struts of the proper original style streamlined cross section.
Again, our front and rear Taylorcraft are made from an original Taylorcraft streamlined tube cross section that Univair had to make tooling specifically for. We are not using an alternate cross section.

Airframes per Gary Snell:
The rear strut is made of normalized 4130 but the front strut is .035" 1010 mild steel, same that they use on the cubs.


More info on the specifications can be added to this thread. Rob

[flyguy]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated Oct 2007)

Ok, I'll dredge it up and dump it in one spot. It's going to be a slow Saturday here anyway--too much Friday night, LOL.
DC
PS not sure about the Tcraft site--wouldn't buy from them if they were making struts of gold-plated Titanium.

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated Oct 2007)

I addition to what Robert asked for: Can anyone who has information on replacement struts list the specifications here so we might compare them?
That is:
Wall thickness
Material used
do they bolt right in
adjusters with the rear struts?
ANYTHING else--information is good.

OR-is this info available, and where?

Not to be critical, but "I'm happy with my new struts and they are well made" isn't much help to those of us who still have to decide on which ones to buy.
Darryl

Carl--I'm not referring to your post--I know you are working on it.
DC

This info is scattered across the forum.

Do some searches.

Look for posts by UNIVAIR, look for the phrase "Alaska Airframes".

I think all suppliers sell the rear struts with the adjusters.

Much of the other data you are looking for is in the various posts. Also look on the Taylorcraft site.

Dave

[flyguy]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated Oct 2007)

I addition to what Robert asked for: Can anyone who has information on replacement struts list the specifications here so we might compare them?
That is:
Wall thickness
Material used
do they bolt right in
adjusters with the rear struts?
ANYTHING else--information is good.

OR-is this info available, and where?

Not to be critical, but "I'm happy with my new struts and they are well made" isn't much help to those of us who still have to decide on which ones to buy.
Darryl

Carl--I'm not referring to your post--I know you are working on it.
DC

[Carl E. Carson]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated Oct 2007)

I'll get some pix and comparisons next week to post.

Carl Carson