Strut IRAN / Overhaul

[publius]

What are my options for having struts IRAN or overhauled? Are the struts sealed? I am starting a restoration project for a derelict 140 that has been sitting outside for…..wait for it……41 years. I have not removed the struts or inspected them closely but I do know there is surface rust on them.

[2066]

If ("minimal"?) surface rust, maybe clean up and proper refinishing will suffice. They are sealed but (deep) corrosion can certainly penitrate. New struts are available from Univair @...wait...$2,516.85 each , so it's certainly worth a good dive into determining if they're salvageable.

[publius]

Thank you. 2500 is steep per side for new struts.

Is there inspection criteria to determine the condition of the strut?
Should I do non-destructive testing? Does anyone know where they can be sent for IRAN?

[8224]

As far as I know there is no published criteria for inspecting Cessna 120/140 struts. I just finished restoring a 47 140 and the front struts on both sides had sleeves welded about 3’ down from the upper end. There was some surface rust on both sides but no pitting. To determine if there is interior rust I always place a strap of mild steel about a foot long, I” wide and 3/16” thick at many locations on the strut and give it a sharp rap with an 8 oz hammer. The steel strap is only to preclude denting the strut. After the strut has been pounded, both sides, especially at the lower end, lift the strut to a vertical end position and listen for any noise of falling material inside, do this several times reversing the orientation of the strut and tapping the lower end gently on the concrete floor of the shop. Silence is Golden! Any sound of things falling inside the strut is in my opinion reason for rejection. When I “reject” a strut I always cut it into pieces, not only to see what the I/S actually looked like but mainly to keep it from being used by someone who is trying to cut cost at any price. Outside surface rust is easy to fix. Pitting is not. My rule of thumb is that if I can dig rust out of a pit with a very sharp pointed pick it is cause for rejection. All of this is just my opinion and is worth what you pay for it.
Steve Hawley