Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: 18360 on October 21, 2022, 11:34:59 am

Title: gas springs for overhead cabinet doors
Post by: 18360 on October 21, 2022, 11:34:59 am
     There are two of those gas springs (little shock absorbers) on each door.  If one or more are failing or failed how do i know which one or should I replace both.  They were on sale at FT TX at $9.77 so I got two.

    Thanks
Title: Re: gas springs for overhead cabinet doors
Post by: oldguy on October 21, 2022, 11:39:23 am
I change both other wise there is a twist on the door.
Title: Re: gas springs for overhead cabinet doors
Post by: T and M Long on October 21, 2022, 11:39:53 am
Unclip them and press them in individually. You will be able to tell.
Title: Re: gas springs for overhead cabinet doors
Post by: Jan & Richard on October 21, 2022, 11:57:16 am
Rick,

Good advice in the posts above.  But considering the age of our coaches, I might suggest that you buy a bunch of the gas springs when you can get a good price for them.  I have replaced many if not most of mine over time. 

Richard
Title: Re: gas springs for overhead cabinet doors
Post by: Elliott on October 21, 2022, 12:08:06 pm
Yea, I'm surprised any of them are working at all at this age. It's possible some have already been replaced, so worth checking. I agree with the previous post though... buy them now while they're cheap. That's about 30% less than I paid at FOT last year.
Title: Re: gas springs for overhead cabinet doors
Post by: T and M Long on October 21, 2022, 12:09:45 pm
I think I have replaced all of mine in the year that i have owned it.  I also wrote the month and year on each one I replaced. Will be interesting to see how long they actually last.
Title: Re: gas springs for overhead cabinet doors
Post by: chasmatt on October 21, 2022, 12:24:30 pm
The shocks use an O-ring on the shaft to keep the gas in the shock. O-rings are not designed to work that way. You can extend the life of the shock by opening the door slowly and closing it slowly. The friction of the shaft on the O-ring will eventually cause the O-ring to fail.
Title: Re: gas springs for overhead cabinet doors
Post by: Barry & Cindy on October 21, 2022, 04:03:16 pm
Charlie, how about silicone spray on shaft to lubricate O-ring? Also, some of our gas struts have a forever extended life with a piece of PVC slipped over shaft.
Title: Re: gas springs for overhead cabinet doors
Post by: craneman on October 21, 2022, 04:08:14 pm
If you haven't reversed them they were put in wrong. The rod needs to go to the bottom and the cylinder to the top. Then the oil in the cylinder keeps the O- ring lubed and they last much longer.
Title: Re: gas springs for overhead cabinet doors
Post by: Stonyfork on October 21, 2022, 08:13:46 pm
How oddly timed that this topic came up, I just replaced all the ones in the bedroom (cabinets in the front are tambourine sliding doors in my coach).  I used these from Amazon.  They installed in a snap, fit perfectly and work great.  There was only one pre cabinet door from the factory and that's how I kept it.  $14.00 for a 2 pack.  Not much more for 20" ones for the compartment doors.

Amazon.com: 7.5Inch 30Lb/115N Gas Struts Spring Shocks Lift Support for... (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09W9HDCDH?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details)

Bill