September '07 I replaced a strut and posted
the following:
>>>I just replaced a canopy
strut; an original from the factory canopy kit (mid '90's). The canopy was
getting a bit marginal in staying opened on its own. The old strut
measured 46 pounds when pushed on some scales. The new strut, from the
factory (Lancair), which is the same brand, when pushed on the scales, indicated
90 pounds....<<<
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2008 7:09
PM
Subject: [LML] Canopy gas struts
After being wacked for the umpteenth time by my canopy
dropping shut and bruising my head, shoulder, or arm with the slightest
breeze, I finally replaced the gas struts with those purchased from a
local auto parts store. Here in coastal California our temperatures don't get
very high, and on the cooler mornings, the struts wouldn't keep the canopy
open. Once temperatures got a little higher the struts had a little more
oomph! I measured the strut's force on a scale, and one was 26 lb and the
other 32. I took them to the store where they measured them and looked up 40
lb struts. They ordered them out of LA and they were in the next morning. The
ones I got were Turbo-Lift #819-5579. They are about 3/4" longer, and hold the
canopy a little further open, but with lots more
authority!