When I was ready to fly in 2008, I needed to upgrade my nose strut and to fix a leak that had developed after 8+ years of sitting in the parts bin during my “slow build.” The replacement strut was a bit cheaper then than now, but it was still a shock (pun intended… J).  I would probably have bitten the bullet—a bit harder—and installed the new strut, but when I discovered that it was “not exactly” a form/fit replacement, I elected to stay with the ESCO and have it upgraded. That has proven a good decision for me. My original ESCO strut (with 60 degree pivot and self-centering mods added in Spring 2008) has functioned well for almost 4 years/750+ flying hours now. No problems whatsoever. (Likewise I’ve had no issues with taxiing or turning at all. Taxiing in a cross wind requires some brake to counter, as does a sloping ramp, but given a flat taxi surface and min wind, it tracks straight and true, and steers precisely with only a hint of toe brake.

I presented a short seminar on these struts at the Lancair/LOBO fly-in at Branson, MO last October. You can review this presentation, along with answers to many follow-up questions and some strut system checks you can do, in the January 2012 LOBO newsletter. I should note that Lancair has elected not to sell “repair/overhaul” kits for these struts, so the source of repair (for either the ESCO or the newer “Lancair” struts) is Lancair. Having said that, I have been  pleased with their timely service and excellent upgrade results for my strut.

Bob Pastusek

N437RP, IV-P

Craig answered:

My ESCO strut started leaking at 50-60 hr TT.  I decided to replace the strut primarily to have something that was currently in production.  The only negative was the strut was about 3/8 inch longer in the fully extended condition and I had to relieve the nose gear door rear closeout.  Fortunately this was done before paint.  The very big positive was the new strut taxies much straighter and requires very little right brake to taxi straight and turns are much smother.