Shock strut orientation

[W. Mark Hellinger]

I recently bought replacement shock struts for most of the doors on my camper (#426). The instructions included with these struts state to install with the "rod oriented down". I find this interesting since virtually all of the gas struts I've ever seen (including the factory installed ones on my camper) were installed with the "rod oriented up". It makes sense to install them with the rod oriented down... that way maybe the lubrication within the strut body is more available to lube the rod.

Anybody got any thoughts on this?:confused:

Not that it's a big deal one way or another, they seem to last quite awhile anyway if you don't get in a big hurry raising and lowering doors... but maybe they'll last longer "rod down"? It's just one of those "humm" things.

[encantotom]

i installed all of mine the black cylinder to the back. rod to the door.

tom

[fulltiming]

My struts were all installed with the rod on the door and the cylinder on the coach. I have replaced them with the same orientation. When the door is closed, mine are rod down. Only when the door is open is the rod up.

[encantotom]

michael said it better than i did, but mine are the same.

tom

[W. Mark Hellinger]

My struts were all installed with the rod on the door and the cylinder on the coach. I have replaced them with the same orientation. When the door is closed, mine are rod down. Only when the door is open is the rod up.
Ah yes... I believe I understand.

I've so-far only replaced the struts on the doors inside the coach... those above the driver and co-pilot's seats. I haven't made it to the outside bay doors... too much snow still piled up along-side the coach to mess with that project right now... but yes... I understand about the bay door struts... those struts operate MOL horizontally... pivoting a little more up or down depending on the position of the bay door(s).

[leskorcala@hotmail.com]

We are due for several ones to be replaced , have you guys found any good deals on few sets as well as quality? if so, where from ?


thanks ,

Les Korcala

Newell 2001 # 582 (2 slides )

[encantotom]

hi les,

i bought all of mine (i replaced all of them recently including the engine bay door) from http://www.stampededist.com/struts.html. columbia brand.

i had used them previously as well.

very very reasonably priced. like well under ten bucks apiece.

tom

[encantotom]

hi les,

i private messaged you the struts i bought and how much. your coach may have different sizes or amount of them so you have to make sure you get the right ones.

tom

[leskorcala@hotmail.com]

the ones i am looking for are :

All of mine are rated at 130lbs , I have small bay pull trough and lifts are at 90lbs there! still looking to get good deal on bunch of them!

Will check the other post with the retailer, Thanks you guys!

[leskorcala@hotmail.com]

Hey Mark,
I noticed you live in E WA & N ID what about you live?
We have home in North Bend WA. & Florence Montana. Also what year is your coach?

Best,
Les

[W. Mark Hellinger]

Hey Mark,
I noticed you live in E WA & N ID what about you live?
We have home in North Bend WA. & Florence Montana. Also what year is your coach?

Best,
Les
Our home & business is located approx. 45 miles south of I-90, within a few hundred feet of the ID/WA boarder.

Our camper is a mid '90's vintage, #426.

North Bend WA... I know well where that is, but Florence MT? (doesn't ring a bell) I suspect Florence is peaceful.

[leskorcala@hotmail.com]

Florence is in Bitterroot Valley just ousside of Missoula 500 population right on the river , dream place !If we can just sell our home in N Bend haha! we are living for 5 years around teh continent than returning to MT
.
Hope we meet aome day!

Best,
Les