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Topic: Reinstalling Gas Strut (Read 798 times) previous topic - next topic

Reinstalling Gas Strut

So, I took one of the struts off the wet bay door of my 97 U295 to measure it, and could't compress it enough to get it reinstalled.  Is there a trick to installing this struts?  I would like to replace the struts since most will not hold the bay doors open.

Thanks,

Bruce
Bruce & Jen Evans
Montgomery, TX
1997 U295 36'

Re: Reinstalling Gas Strut

Reply #1 –
Bruce,

Some use a ratcheting tie down wrapped around it's length (this seems hard for me) others use a long bar clamp that have the faces modified to keep the shock in the center. 

Now the doors on your coach should have a lock that will hold the pantograph doors open. You should be able to push the door all the way up next to the coach wall and hear the lock click. To release the door just use the door handle as you would to open the door.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Reinstalling Gas Strut

Reply #2 –
Bruce check the forum, Roger had a picture of a wood block he made for ease of strut installation,
Hopefully he will chime in
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR

Re: Reinstalling Gas Strut

Reply #3 –
It took me a while to find Rogers do dad Gas struts at LP tank door

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Reinstalling Gas Strut

Reply #4 –
Another recent discussion

How to change basement rams

They are also known as a springlift (Attwood's name for them) if you do a forum search for ideas.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Reinstalling Gas Strut

Reply #5 –
Be careful replacing both struts. Our fiberglass is old and brittle and when I replaced both, the 4 foot doors started breaking under the pressure to close them so I took one new one off ( put the old one back) and left one new one on and they are fine now. Brad at FT knows the proper strut pounds for the doors size.
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: Reinstalling Gas Strut

Reply #7 –
Finally finished installing the basement ram today.  I used an Irwin 24" bar clamp and on the screw handle end since the rubber pad is floppy I used a washer to keep the ram end centered.  I used a 2x to support the door when I released the old ram.  I removed the old dead ram then after popping up the metal keepers the new ram just slipped on.  Set the 2 keepers and removed the bar clamp.  Easy.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: Reinstalling Gas Strut

Reply #8 –
Quote from: folivier –
F
...... I used an Irwin 24" bar clamp and on the screw handle end since the rubber pad is floppy I used a washer to keep the ram end centered.  ......

Another option I used was to start drilling a hole in the clamp on the Irwin clamp to center and keep the strut in place.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan
 

Re: Reinstalling Gas Strut

Reply #9 –
Thanks everybody.  Was able to reinstall the strut with a bar clamp fairly easily. 
Bruce & Jen Evans
Montgomery, TX
1997 U295 36'