Wing Struts

[Oliver]

Hello everybody,

I need (and want) new struts for my 1946 Champ (original wood spar). Which are the ones to buy? Univair? Wag Aero? Any other suggestions or are they all the same?
Many thanks

[MikeB]

I bought mine from Univair a year or so ago as they had free shipping which is a plus as they have to come by truck as far as I know. Also, think they are now the same wall thickness as Citabira. Also, they were sealed. Unsure about the wall thickness but .045 sticks in my mind as opposed to the original .039 (??)......like I said "unsure" .

MikeB

[Oliver]

thanks Mike - free shiping sounds very good - I am in Germany; I doubt I will get it over here free..

My best guess was Unviair too - I'll give it a try!

[MikeB]

Would be rather hard to truck to Germany I guess. The prices have really increased on the lift struts. If I remember correctly the set I bought for my first Champ rebuild in about 2002 cost about $1150 for all four including the clevis fork. On my L16 I believe the price was around $1800 for four struts and clevis forks but in my opinion lift struts are a pretty critical component. I've seen them patched but I wouldn't stake my life on it.
I think all the new one are built to the Citabria specs with thicker wall which is a plus even if it does add a little weight. Same as wing ribs. I don't think you can buy the .020 ribs anymore. As far as I know all the new ribs being manufactured (at least commerically) are .032 with 1/8" attach holes for pop rivets.

Mike Berg

[Paul Agaliotis]

Oliver,
If you can locate a set of Citabria struts locally, they can be used via a Service Letter.
Paul