On Mar 6, 7:54*am, "rec.aviation.soaring"
wrote:
Installed new gas lift springs purchased from Spindelberger yesterday
afternoon. Trailer is early 1990's aluminum top Cobra for a Discus.
Installation was relatively straight forward BUT I cannot get the lid
to fully close now. I am now stuck with partially open trailer.

If you are sure the new lift struts are no longer than the originals,
I'd suggest the following:

Pull the top down as far as it will go without excessive force
Go to the sides of the trailer and push inward on the lower edges of
the top about mid length
Try closing again
Wiggle the back end of the top sideways
Press in on the top sides again

What can happen with strong struts is that the sides of the top tend
to bow out and the side rails do not mate properly.

You may need some help if the bowing is more than slight.

I had this problem with my new Cobra at high temperatures in Arizona.

Andy