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Matt Dralle's RV-8 Project
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Date: 11-26-2009
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Number of Hours: 2.00
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Manual Reference:
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Brief Description: Front Baggage Door Strut Installation - Part 1
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The stock front baggage door on the RV-8 doesn't come with any means of holding it open other than your arm. Since I'd already experienced what happens when the latch pins are in the "latched" position and the door suddenly slams shut (dents and scratches), I really wanted to find a nice strut of some kind that would hold the door open, yet be relatively easy to install/replace/use.
Some browsing in the McMaster-Carr on-line catalog turned up what turn out to be the absolute *perfect* part for the job. The strut unit is made for tool box lids and has pre-installed mounts on each end that work perfectly on the RV-8 baggage door with no modifications whatsoever. Incredible, really. The best part is that in operation, and using the mounting dimensions shown in the pictures, the strut will securely hold the door open AND closed! Its amazing actually! At about 2" from closed the geometry of the system has nearly zero pressure open/closed and then at the last 1" or so, slightly pulls the door down. Note that the latch pins are still needed to hold the door securely closed. Conversely, after about 3" open, there is enough push in the spring to gently open the door all the way and then hold it open very nicely. If you have an RV-8 and want a baggage door strut, look no further. This is the perfect ticket:
McMaster-Carr Part Number: 11615A14 Here is the on-line web page for the part:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#11615A14 At $34.75 (circa 2009) its a little pricey, but its stainless steel and did I mention - works PERFECTLY on the RV-8 front baggage door! Buy one now!
Cont. Next Log...
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RV-8 Baggage Door Strut Installation
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RV-8 Baggage Door Strut Installation
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RV-8 Baggage Door Strut Installation
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Copyright © 2008-2024 Matt Dralle. All Rights Reserved.
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