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Offline Blinky Bill

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Fixing gas strut
« on: May 01, 2011, 10:54:20 AM »
Hi all,
After many months of planning & getting camper & car ready for our 3 month trip, here I am 1 day out from heading off, flipping open my hard floor camper, and I see the gas strut hanging off. 'OH NO'!!!

Initial reaction was the blame the weather Gods, the dog, me and anyone else I could think. But in reality I had it checked over by the factory and they gave it the thumbs-up.

Second reaction was 'well these things happen...it's no biggy.....there's likely to be lots more of this sort of thing during your adventure'...and that seemed to help calm me down.

Yep due to head off tomorrow. Today (as it was finally sunny) was the final packing job.

Questions please:
Are gas struts essential gear? (should/could we still head off)
Is it something I could repair? (I'm reluctant to force it back on)
Is it something that any mechanic could fix? (doesn't need to be a special caravan place)

Anyone able to offer advice?

Thanks - Wayne
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Offline D4D

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Re: Fixing gas strut
« Reply #1 on: May 01, 2011, 10:57:31 AM »
Has it broken off the mount or has the locating bolt come out?

I'd say the struts are there to assist with flipping the camper over/closing. If you can man handle it during setup without the strut assistance there shouldn't be a problem.
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Offline rastus

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Re: Fixing gas strut
« Reply #2 on: May 01, 2011, 11:06:57 AM »
Mine broke at the end where it attaches to the camper upright. I rang Tambo campers and once they identified the correct strut type Amanda sent out a replacement. If its of a similar strut to mine, the end screws off and easily replaced.

cheers

rastus
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Offline Blinky Bill

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Re: Fixing gas strut
« Reply #3 on: May 01, 2011, 11:12:27 AM »
Gidday D4D - Nothing appears broken.

It appears to be a simple ball and socket situation. The ball is attached to the trailer (undamaged) and the socket is on the end of the gas strut (looks undamaged but maybe worn).

My best chance of getting the ball back in the socket is when the CT is closed but I just can't seem to compress it and I'm concerned I may damage it if I force it.

Are these things really charged with gas? Maybe that's why I'm unable to get it back on?

Thanks - Wayne
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Reminds me of my safari in Africa. Somebody forgot the corkscrew and for several days we had to live on nothing but food and water.
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Offline D4D

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Re: Fixing gas strut
« Reply #4 on: May 01, 2011, 11:14:40 AM »
There's a thread somewhere on myswag about strut compressors. Yes they have heaps of pressure in them so you won't be able to compress it by hand. At a pinch you could try your hi-lift jack to compress it but be very very careful.

edit - found it http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=11793
« Last Edit: May 01, 2011, 11:17:36 AM by D4D »
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Offline Blinky Bill

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Re: Fixing gas strut
« Reply #5 on: May 01, 2011, 11:27:54 AM »
Thanks for your help. Much appreciated.

I'll now follow your link to learn more about what poo I've got myself into.

Hey what the heck, every adventure has it's set backs.

Cheers - Wayne
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Reminds me of my safari in Africa. Somebody forgot the corkscrew and for several days we had to live on nothing but food and water.
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Offline gibbo301

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Re: Fixing gas strut
« Reply #6 on: May 01, 2011, 12:11:27 PM »
I had the same thing happen could,nt compress  the strut but when it was flipped over at a certain angle it lined up pop back on fixed hope this helps you






Gibbo
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Offline baldheadedgit

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Re: Fixing gas strut
« Reply #7 on: May 01, 2011, 12:17:09 PM »
just try and raise the top higher, then  you should have enough room to put it back on..dont try and compress it,, get someone to help you lift the top, once high enough place a prop in there to hold it,, reconect strut and Bobs your auntie.......check that its secure before putting pressure on it again
 BHG
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Offline darren

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Re: Fixing gas strut
« Reply #8 on: May 01, 2011, 12:36:52 PM »
I destroyed one of those on mine up the cape and it made it harder but not impossible to flip the back over. There is a little wire spring clip that holds it on, check thats there . Check the other ones. I replaced mine with the high lift by myself, it wasnt too hard. If you have a boat loader they are the same as whats on it.
Hope it helps
« Last Edit: May 01, 2011, 02:10:50 PM by darren »
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Offline Blinky Bill

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Re: Fixing gas strut
« Reply #9 on: May 01, 2011, 02:04:40 PM »
Hello, hello......hello......more replies. Beauty!!!  ;D

Oh so there's a chance that I may be able to put it back on eh? I think I'll give that a go in a moment before the dreaded wet weather returns.

Up to this point I'd resigned myself to having a pro do it for me.

My mate from Brisbane said that up his way there's someone getting about in a van re-gassing & repairing struts. So that was encouraging to hear.

Right now though I'm about to embark on that old search of MySwag that D4D so kindly provided.

Must say I feel somewhat better now that others have reported that they have also experienced strut problems. Not so much of a ning nong, if you know what I mean.

Cheers all - Wayne

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Reminds me of my safari in Africa. Somebody forgot the corkscrew and for several days we had to live on nothing but food and water.
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Offline Bird

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Re: Fixing gas strut
« Reply #10 on: May 01, 2011, 07:32:14 PM »
fwiw I would think you'd have issues if it has 2 and one is off - the other will take all the load and could fail at a bad time.

hope it works out for you :)
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Offline Blinky Bill

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Re: Fixing gas strut
« Reply #11 on: May 01, 2011, 07:52:08 PM »
Okay chaps I have a plan.  8)

Clearly this job is not something that I can do on my pat, and with the 3 month trip due to start tomorrow, I want everything working as it should.  ???

Google is your friend - Did a search and came up with a mob in Coffs Harbour (about 40 minutes away by car) who from their web site appear the answer to my stut woes. So I've emailed them & will phone them Monday 2/5 at sparrow. Hopefully it's a straight forward job for them and they will have me all sorted out and on the road by Tuesday.  ;D

While I'm there I'll also have them look at the other struts to ensure they're all good.  :angel:

Once again thanks for your help & advice - Wayne
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Offline HEM19X

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Re: Fixing gas strut
« Reply #12 on: May 01, 2011, 08:47:31 PM »
Hi Waye,

Was just about to recommend the strut guys in Coffs, but you are all over it.

If they can't do the business, they might know someone who can - in the direction you are headed.

Have a great trip.

Hem
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Offline Blinky Bill

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Re: Fixing gas strut
« Reply #13 on: May 01, 2011, 09:27:17 PM »
Thanks Hem - Is your guy Jo Goff from Cook Drive?

Thanks for the best wishes on the trip too. Can't wait.

As my Dear Old Grandad used to say "I need an elbow to get the smile of my face" - Wayne  ;D
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Reminds me of my safari in Africa. Somebody forgot the corkscrew and for several days we had to live on nothing but food and water.
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Offline 2 Brutal

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Re: Fixing gas strut
« Reply #14 on: May 01, 2011, 09:55:13 PM »
Is it really a massive issue, can't you cut a piece of timber to use as a chock to hold your bed up whilst you pack it.
I know they hold the weight of the bed up but a piece of timber won't hurt for a simple fix for the time being.
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Offline Blinky Bill

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All sorted
« Reply #15 on: May 02, 2011, 05:57:28 PM »
Today the Missus & I visited Joe Gok Struts at Coffs Harbour wondering how much this was going to effect our trip.  ???

I needn't have worried. Joe had us all sorted in 10 minutes tops.  ;D

He took a quick look at the camper trailer, off came the strut in question, bit of a rub of the chin as he thought about things, into his place to test the gas pressure, gave a thumbs-up there, new end connected to the strut and all fitted. How's that for service?  :cup:

The price - "How much"? I asked.
                'Forget it mate' said Joe 'Just make sure you have a good time while you're away'.

Guess who will be beating Joe Gok's drum every chance I get?  :cheers:

Cheers again chaps - Wayne (at a camp site somewhere out there)
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Reminds me of my safari in Africa. Somebody forgot the corkscrew and for several days we had to live on nothing but food and water.
W. C. Fields (1880 - 1946)

Offline baldheadedgit

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Re: Fixing gas strut
« Reply #16 on: May 02, 2011, 06:47:51 PM »
 :cup:  good to hear,,, there are still some good people out there   :cheers:
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Offline barneys

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Re: Fixing gas strut
« Reply #17 on: May 02, 2011, 07:06:22 PM »
you got to love that
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Offline Digger

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Re: Fixing gas strut
« Reply #18 on: May 02, 2011, 07:16:20 PM »
Pimp your camper and fit theses  ;D  http://www.firgelliauto.com/product_info.php?cPath=87&products_id=64  :cup:

 :cheers: Digger
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Offline D4D

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Re: Fixing gas strut
« Reply #19 on: May 02, 2011, 07:16:43 PM »
I love it when a plan comes together :cup:
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Offline Bird

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Re: Fixing gas strut
« Reply #20 on: May 03, 2011, 12:07:03 PM »
Top Stuff... I'd drop him a box of beers for his time anyway... International Currency!

safe trip.
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Offline Black Diamond

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Re: All sorted
« Reply #21 on: May 03, 2011, 12:16:50 PM »
Quote from: Blinky Bill on May 02, 2011, 05:57:28 PM
Today the Missus & I visited Joe Gok Struts at Coffs Harbour wondering how much this was going to effect our trip.  ???

I needn't have worried. Joe had us all sorted in 10 minutes tops.  ;D

He took a quick look at the camper trailer, off came the strut in question, bit of a rub of the chin as he thought about things, into his place to test the gas pressure, gave a thumbs-up there, new end connected to the strut and all fitted. How's that for service?  :cup:

The price - "How much"? I asked.
                'Forget it mate' said Joe 'Just make sure you have a good time while you're away'.

Guess who will be beating Joe Gok's drum every chance I get?  :cheers:

Cheers again chaps - Wayne (at a camp site somewhere out there)
Thats awesome service  :cup: :cup:

Well done.
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