Cobra trailer lift struts for clamshell top

[[email protected]]

I have a 2002 glasstop cobra and I have a lift strut (nitrogen
spring?) that just failed on me.

It is very difficult to lift the clamshell with even just one failed
strut.

Is there anyone in the US that might have these in stock?

If anyone has replaced theirs with a US made strut I would also like
to know
the source that you purchased from.

Thanks for any help,

Joe Simmers

[Bill Daniels]

See: http://www.internationalgassprings.com/

They have provided gas springs to me and other glider pilots. There should
be a label on your springs somewhere. Send a photo of that and the end
hardware to International springs and they should be able to provide a
replacement.

Find a place where an overhead chain hoist or "come-along" can be used to
lift the trailer top. If you can smoothly lift the top with a hoist,
replacing the gas struts is just a matter of some wrench work. Otherwise,
it can be a PITA. There are tools called "Gas spring compressors" but it
would be shame to buy one for a once-in-a-lifetime job.

Bill Daniels


> wrote in message
...
>I have a 2002 glasstop cobra and I have a lift strut (nitrogen
> spring?) that just failed on me.
>
> It is very difficult to lift the clamshell with even just one failed
> strut.
>
> Is there anyone in the US that might have these in stock?
>
> If anyone has replaced theirs with a US made strut I would also like
> to know
> the source that you purchased from.
>
> Thanks for any help,
>
> Joe Simmers

[Eric Greenwell]

Bill Daniels wrote:
> See: http://www.internationalgassprings.com/
>
> They have provided gas springs to me and other glider pilots. There should
> be a label on your springs somewhere. Send a photo of that and the end
> hardware to International springs and they should be able to provide a
> replacement.

Have you tried the sailplane dealers for a Cobra replacement? Or asked
your dealer for a US source and part numbers? At least, you could
compare prices and delivery times.

> Find a place where an overhead chain hoist or "come-along" can be used to
> lift the trailer top. If you can smoothly lift the top with a hoist,
> replacing the gas struts is just a matter of some wrench work. Otherwise,
> it can be a PITA. There are tools called "Gas spring compressors" but it
> would be shame to buy one for a once-in-a-lifetime job.

I found it easy to prop the lid open on a metal top Cobra with a 2 x 4
stud. Length isn't critical, as you can move the stud back and forth to
get just the right height. It's easier if you have someone help open the
lid, but I was able to do it myself.

In my case, it was the bottom attachment point that failed, not the strut.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
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[JS]

Call Williams Soaring. They have an excellent stock of Cobra parts.
530 473-5600
Jim

[[email protected]]

Williams did have them in stock, thanks very much for the tip Jim.

Joe




> Call Williams Soaring. They have an excellent stock of Cobra parts.
> 530 473-5600
> Jim