Overhead Cabinet Struts

Topic: Overhead Cabinet Struts (Read 1111 times) previous topic - next topic

Overhead Cabinet Struts

November 18, 2014, 02:10:33 pm

Has anyone figured out a good replacement for the overhead cabinet air spring struts? I replaced most of them when we bought the coach and a few since then. Now all but about three need replacing again. I haven't had a problem with any on the ones outside on the lower compartment doors, bed, generator, and engine door. Perplexing as to why the inside ones don't last very long.

Re: Overhead Cabinet Struts

Reply #1 – November 18, 2014, 02:48:28 pm

I think you can purchase at FOT and at one point they were on sale at around $5.00 apiece.

Re: Overhead Cabinet Struts

Reply #2 – November 18, 2014, 03:20:11 pm

I'm just about to google the same thing Jerry. The PO left a few for me but they seem to be used based on the condition. I did swap one out and the cabinet door stays open now.

If I find them on line I'll let you know.

regards
Ed

Re: Overhead Cabinet Struts

Reply #3 – November 18, 2014, 03:21:10 pm

Be very cautious if you buy off the internet. All struts are not created equal, some have a higher charge in them. When you try to close the cabinet door the increased pressure can crack the wood. I bought mine from FOT and would recommend that. Just my 2 cents. David

Re: Overhead Cabinet Struts

Reply #4 – November 18, 2014, 03:33:14 pm

Quote from: Retired Navy Chief – November 18, 2014, 03:21:10 pm

Be very cautious if you buy off the internet. All struts are not created equal, some have a higher charge in them. When you try to close the cabinet door the increased pressure can crack the wood. I bought mine from FOT and would recommend that. Just my 2 cents.

+1 (or +$0.02)

Re: Overhead Cabinet Struts

Reply #5 – November 18, 2014, 05:49:37 pm

Quote from: joeszeidel – November 18, 2014, 02:48:28 pm

I think you can purchase at FOT and at one point they were on sale at around $5.00 apiece.

$9.95 ea. minus Motorcade discount = $8.95, two weeks ago at FOT.
New, known Good replacements, long shelf life as long as you store them out of direct sunlight (they are black and will rapidly overheat/over-pressurize and damage their seals).
Neal

Re: Overhead Cabinet Struts

Reply #6 – November 18, 2014, 05:52:24 pm

Check at FT. A year or so ago I bought a dozen and with shipping and a Motorcade discount they were about $10 each. That is a hard price to beat especially when they are
the right ones for the job.

So, Neal, my spares stored in the coach over the winter should last forever? 6° this morning.

Roger

Re: Overhead Cabinet Struts

Reply #7 – November 18, 2014, 06:46:26 pm

I just tried to find them on the internet.

I'll be calling FOT for my replacements.

Ed

Re: Overhead Cabinet Struts

Reply #8 – November 19, 2014, 12:22:25 am

Quote from: Home2fromHastings – November 18, 2014, 05:52:24 pm

..........So, Neal, my spares stored in the coach over the winter should last forever? 6° this morning.......

You betcha!
And Roger, we've been wondering where all this cold weather in NH is coming from! Now we know! We are sooooo ready to be out of here but still waiting on Dr's appointments TO BUST LOOSE!
Neal

Re: Overhead Cabinet Struts

Reply #9 – November 19, 2014, 08:03:48 am

I looked everywhere for these on the internet. Finally gave up and got replacements from FOT. Their price was just fine so I got spares. DAN

Re: Overhead Cabinet Struts

Reply #10 – November 19, 2014, 09:27:39 am

cabinet struts - don't bother with looking around - FOT with motorcade discount way to go -

Re: Overhead Cabinet Struts

Reply #11 – November 20, 2014, 12:05:14 am

I was hoping that someone had come up with a different device to hold the door up. I remember from my boating days that there was a coil spring like prop for holding a hatch open. Just pull/push the middle of it a little and it would bend for closing. Something like that maybe for my many cabinet doors. The other time I bought mine from Moore Industrial Hardware Supplier of Industrial Hardware: Door Checks, Handles, Hinges, Latches & Locks, . They still sell them, but maybe FOT has the best price, I have to make a trip to the storage yard for the part number.

Re: Overhead Cabinet Struts

Reply #12 – November 20, 2014, 09:28:56 am

Beware of Moore Industrial Hardware shipping costs, which we found way too high for a recent shipment. Maybe learning the shipping cost ahead would be helpful.

Re: Overhead Cabinet Struts

Reply #13 – November 21, 2014, 10:02:09 am

Yesterday, I went to the MH and removed one of the weak air spring struts SL-11-20 and then spent some time looking for something else that would work. Found a coil spring (like a door spring) at HD that would work, decided against it as with the door closed it would extend into the cabinet and do nothing to keep the door closed maybe even push it open. Woodcraft didn't have anything in the right size or required 2 hands to close. Last night looked at Moore's website again, $9.90 each. Went through the ordering process just to see what the shipping was. $2.50 was there; seemed a little strange for 23 pieces. After placing the order got an email saying that the shipping would be calculated later and that they would call or I could call, so I did this morning and found out that they only had 13 in stock, but since I am ordering 23 the price is $8.50 each! Would be about 2 weeks to fill the complete order, did I want the 13 and the others later. I said I would wait for one shipment. They said they will call with the shipping cost before they ship and I can cancel at that time if I wish. They need to update their website so that it can calculate shipping. The $2.50 is really a handling charge. Thanks Barry for the warning.

Re: Overhead Cabinet Struts

Reply #14 – November 21, 2014, 10:58:30 am

Jerry, have you called Mike Grimes at FOT for a price.
936-564-8367 ext 154

Re: Overhead Cabinet Struts

Reply #15 – November 21, 2014, 01:14:51 pm

When I replace them I wrap green electrical tape around the cylinder, that way I know which ones I have replaced. I have found that both struts do not go bad at the same time and replacing the one that is bad solves the problem. I always keep a few extras on hand because of this method.

Jason

Re: Overhead Cabinet Struts

Reply #16 – November 21, 2014, 02:59:52 pm

Quote from: Jimmy Freytag – November 21, 2014, 10:58:30 am

Jerry, have you called Mike Grimes at FOT for a price.
936-564-8367 ext 154

Quote from: jerrett – November 21, 2014, 01:14:51 pm

When I replace them I wrap green electrical tape around the cylinder, that way I know which ones I have replaced. I have found that both struts do not go bad at the same time and replacing the one that is bad solves the problem. I always keep a few extras on hand because of this method.
Jason

I called Mike Grimes, $9.85 which is a rally price and they will soon go back to the regular price of $13.85. So if anyone wants the lower price from FOT better hurry. He said expect them to last about 5 years.

My coach only has one strut per door except for the 2 over the bed. These are small doors unlike the later years which are longer and apparently have 2. If I had 2 per door I would need 42 struts. No sales tax from Moore when shipped to TX.

Re: Overhead Cabinet Struts

Reply #17 – November 21, 2014, 03:48:42 pm

Yesterday the price was still the $9.85 less MC discount, 6 for $58.??

Re: Overhead Cabinet Struts

Reply #18 – November 21, 2014, 04:14:39 pm

All of our overhead cabinets had two struts except for the four bedroom sides, which only had outer struts. I put a block in the center of the sides and added one more strut per door (4 extra).

http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=8189.msg35901#msg35901

Re: Overhead Cabinet Struts

Reply #19 – December 15, 2014, 02:35:55 pm

My 23 SL-11-20 cabinet struts showed up last week from Moore Industrial Hardware. They didn't have enough on hand when I placed the order and I said to wait and ship all of them together. Shipping was $15.03 + $195.50 = $210.53 no sales tax. Shipping price seemed normal to low.

Re: Overhead Cabinet Struts

Reply #20 – December 16, 2014, 12:23:41 pm

Also perplexed why the outside struts are still the original and those of the inside cabinets have been replaced 2x. Anyone know why the difference; one would expect the outer struts to fail given the more hostile environment.

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