65CA Steel Lift Struts

Ron Griffith Jr. · Post by **Ron Griffith Jr.** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 10:05

Please check your lift struts out. After building new wings, we test fitted everything using the old lift struts. During installation, I found that both forward struts had holes rusted through at the lug area. Since they rust from the inside out, this can be a BIG problem. There are several options for replacement mentioned in previous strut posts. We chose a combination. If you live on the right coast, Chris Hughes (owner, This Old Plane) in Washington, GA may be able to help you. He manufactured either the front or rear (he can do both) using serviceable parts from our old struts and we purchased the other two from Univair. That was a few years ago and I don't know if Univair is still providing pre war steel struts. Either option is expensive. Chris also did the work on our airframe and door frames. His website is here http://www.thisoldplane.com/

Just wanted to let you know of another possible avenue for keeping these old birds flying safely.

Ron

Captgrumps · Post by **Captgrumps** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 16:43

You can get the prints for the steel struts--the 1941 65CA had the steel struts --the earlier 65C had aluminum struts--the attach points are different. Would also check references.

Doug
182J

rob · Post by **rob** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 23:15

just thought i would put my 2 cents in i just received my strut tonight from
Pete plum
woodwing specialty
on the left coast
and if i knew how to post a pic i would because he did a fantastic job it took him a while but now the jig is made I'm sure its going to be a easier processes for him

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 17:42

How much did he charge for the struts?