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Topic: Overhead cabinet doors springs (Read 674 times) previous topic - next topic

Overhead cabinet doors springs

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.
Thanks

Re: Overhead cabinet doors springs

Reply #1 –
Welcome to the forum!

If it were me, I'd replace them in pairs.....easier to keep up with.
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: Overhead cabinet doors springs

Reply #2 –
Both and Foretravel parts had the cheapest price by a long shot a while back. Not sure if still the best.

Just looked  Fot has them at $9.75 each
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Overhead cabinet doors springs

Reply #3 –
Quote from: turbojack –
Both and Foretravel parts had the cheapest price by a long shot a while back. Not sure if still the best.

Just looked  Fot has them at $9.75 each

And they'll have the correct force. 

A number of years ago folks had found a source that was similarly priced, but the force was off (too high).  Those struts (spring lifts) caused some damage when the mounting pieces were being pulled out of the cabinet frame.
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: Overhead cabinet doors springs

Reply #4 –

You can get a good idea of how bad they are by comparing the force needed to compress the old ones to that needed to compress a new one. Just compress by hand after removing to test. Usually if one is bad both are. I tried these fro Amazon about six months ago. The force seems comparable to the ones from FOT and so far they have held up well:

Amazon.com: Apexstone 80N/18lb 8 Inch Gas Strut 4 Count 80N Gas Strut 8 Inch...

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Dave and Kathy Bennett
2004 U270
Build #6253
1600W Solar
700 AH Battle Born Lithium
2015 Jeep Wrangler

No matter what happens, remember you always get the trip out of it.

Re: Overhead cabinet doors springs

Reply #5 –
The Forum has postings on a very good alternative to keeping the cabinet doors open by using a short piece of PVC that slides over the piston rod and keep door up.

Re: Overhead cabinet doors springs

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
The Forum has postings on a very good alternative to keeping the cabinet doors open by using a short piece of PVC that slides over the piston rod and keep door up.
That doesn't work well for the U320's as they don't have latches the struts over camber and keep the door from opening.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Overhead cabinet doors springs

Reply #7 –
Good point on the fact that the air piston also keeps door closed. That is way it works on all models with this design as there are no latches. Worn air pistons still work although not good enough to make a positive keep-open, but they have enough pressure to keep the doors closed. Also, it is a good idea to be sure all doors have two struts. Always nice to have new working struts and they are not that expensive from some places, like MOT. But the PVC mod can work pretty well, too.

Re: Overhead cabinet doors springs

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
Always nice to have new working struts and they are not that expensive from some places, like MOT. But the PVC mod can work pretty well, too.

The PVC would be fine as an interim solution, but if and when you go to sell the coach, it's best to have those "little things" that you kludged around fixed, lest a buyer wonder what else (in particular the more costly, but not obvious, things) you didn't take care of.
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: Overhead cabinet doors springs

Reply #9 –
Not only do the springs keep the cabinet doors open,  they keep them closed as well, if one is going the other will follow, the lesser spring will overwork the good spring, replace in pairs.
Foretravels price was excellent when we replaced all of our overhead cabinet springs/ struts.
David & Emma Roche
Dino (Golden Doodle)
1999 U270 WTFE 36' Build # 5534
Xtreme "Lights, Stripes & Roof"
Motorcade# 18321
Dayton, Ohio
Towd: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Two Townie Electra Bikes

Life is made to enjoy, the Foretravel helps!

Re: Overhead cabinet doors springs

Reply #10 –
I just ordered a few from FOT, I prefer to replace them in pairs, because I found I was going back after a month or two to replace the one I left behind.  :o
Beware of ones that are too strong for our application, they can create bigger problems. A previous owner used a couple of them in our coach, and it twisted the cabinet door and opened a joint, which ended with me reassembling and re-gluing the whole door! Really glad they built them so well in the first place, so it was possible to reassemble.
They are also affected by cold weather, so sometimes can look a bit sad but work fine once it warms up again.
1998 U295 36'
Build# 5358

SMILE!....it makes people wonder what you have been doing.