Lift struts appear new with big forks - how do you tell . .

[bob turner]

Struts are new in 2002. Log entry says "replaced Lift Struts" and is signed by an IA. Forks and bolts are the big ones. No Cherry Lock rivets, and we are checking for sealed at the top. How would we figure out if these are approved for terminating the lift strut inspection? Or is there any way . . .

My impression is that if they were new in 2002, and have the big forks, they would automatically qualify, but I am not sure. By then, surely even Atlee Dodge had sealed them? Airframes?

And yes, I tried a search, but got a million hits, none useful.

 

[Ruidoso Ron]

Bob,
I think you are correct. I don't believe that the big forks will fit inside of the old struts.

 

[mike mcs repair]

univar

univar lifetime:
stamp at top of struts, front side, just below attach point on the flat part..... Circle has a "U" with a number inside the U... that would show brand as univar..... also 5/8-20 CAD plated fork if they havent changed....

airframes inc:
has a 5/8-20 stainless fork, not sure on markings

hope this helps

mike

 

[ag-pilot]

struts

Bob! Why don't you send Len a picture! I hear he is a lift strut GURU.

Dave Hartman

 

[Steve Pierce]

8) LOL

 

[T.J.]

Check with the local FSDO, they should know.

 

[skagwaypilot]

Check with the local FSDO, they should know.

Our local FSDO is known as the "Highest Unlighted Obstacle To Aviation In Texas".
I have little confidence that you will find a credible answer at most FSDO's.
However, you may trigger an inspection of your aircraft and, (gasp!) they might even declare it unairworthy because of questionable parts.

 

[Steve Pierce]

Hope you aern't talking about Ft. Worth? I have had the opposite experience.

 

[bob turner]

I took the "check with FSDO" as a joke. They are well-meaning, but simply have no way of knowing . . . This is the source!

Thank you for alerting us to the Univair markings and the stainless fork hint for Airframes. Does anybody else offer the big-fork struts, and are any of them non-sealed? Is it at all possible that new struts could be purchased with big forks in 2002, and yet not be PMA'd?

 

[Grant]

Did the log entry give any part numbers or how the replacement was accomplished. I.e. IAW Piper SB 1234....?

The reality is the struts must comply with the AD to qualify for terminating action. There is a statement in the AD to the effect of "Other FAA Approved Part Number" so you could be in luck.

I personally would track down the mechanic and have him explain it then have him sign it off properly. If he is not willing to do that then you may have more things to worry about.

 

[bob turner]

We checked them for seals - the wing ends are indeed sealed. The annual is done, but I think sooner or later we will be looking for the Univair stamp (I have found it on other struts, so now know what to look for) or some other marking. So is it true that the only big fork struts are Airframes and Univair (and Piper)?

 

[Grant]

Not according to the AD. It list others (FA Dodge & Jensen I think) and dont specifically list the ones you mention except for the piper part # according to the SB..... The AD is pretty complex for the inspection procedure and applicability to the condition of the struts but read it a few times then you can pick out the info you need specific to the requirements for termination action.

There are MUCH more knowledgeable people here on this site. I could be way off. I am just reading the AD.

 

[mike mcs repair]

atlee's used jensens fork & barrel... the fork is HUGE, like 1+" dia..... not sealed just o ring at bottom...... think they get you 5 years or such... (have they changed to a diffrent size???)

just looked, the univar fork is stamped with the circle and "U" also..

univar and airframes are the only 2 that I can think of that use the 5/8" fork....
BUT not sure if there are other brands out there....

mike

 

[Grant]

See I told you someone is more knowledgeable!

 

[Dan2+2]

I will be using 5/8 forks on my experimental that I will build myself, so that is also a possibility. Owner produced.

 

[bob turner]

Nope. These were definitely purchased to terminate the A/D. Problem is, the mechanic/IA who signed them off did not know how to enter the compliance statement, and bill of sale/yellow tags have been lost. If Airframes and Univair are the only sealed, 5/8" fork struts on the market, then we have only to look for the "U" or the stainless forks. This is the most knowledgable group of Supercub nuts in the world, so I am going to proceed on the assumption that they have to be Univair or Airframes. Thanks to all who have helped. bob

 

[jay heil]

Lift struts appear new with big forks - how do you tell

the jensen/atlee strut mod took your old struts and sealed them they put in a 7/8-20 threaded fork and barrel their inspection interval is 5 years they will have a fa dodge tag welded to the upper end of the strut when jensen quit doing them he was trying to get it so the inspection ad was terminated but he never got that part done with as far as i know

the univair struts have i guess 5/8 fork and barrel

 

[mike mcs repair]

Re: univar

univar lifetime:
stamp at top of struts, front side, just below attach point on the flat part..... Circle has a "U" with a number inside the U... that would show brand as univar..... also 5/8-20 CAD plated fork if they havent changed....

just thought I'd add an update/correction, I've now seen univar with stainless fork too, with the "u" stamp....

mike

 

[Steve Pierce]

They changed several years ago because they were having trouble getting things plated to their satisfaction.

 

[behindpropellers]

Nope. These were definitely purchased to terminate the A/D. Problem is, the mechanic/IA who signed them off did not know how to enter the compliance statement, and bill of sale/yellow tags have been lost. If Airframes and Univair are the only sealed, 5/8" fork struts on the market, then we have only to look for the "U" or the stainless forks. This is the most knowledgable group of Supercub nuts in the world, so I am going to proceed on the assumption that they have to be Univair or Airframes. Thanks to all who have helped. bob

Bob-

You can call univair with the previous owners name and they will look it up for you.

Tim

 

[bob turner]

Tim - thank you! I will pass it on. The IA checked the wing end for "sealed" and signed them off. I wouldn't have been quite so casual, but now at least they are legal! And "legal" is all that counts. At least in the paperwork . . .