Drilled lift struts

[Slipinonfinal]

Have not posted here for a long time.

So at this point after doing maintenance for years on citabria's I should know the answer to this but I don't. When AD 77-22-05 came out most citabria's I hope had their front lift struts replaced. That said does any body on the form happen to recall if those new replacement struts were sealed and oiled from the factory? Something tells me they were not. If that's the case then there should be a drain hole drilled for drainage at the correct location on those struts.
The replacement struts these days are coming oiled and sealed in which case drilling them for drainage is defeating the purpose of oiling and sealing. I am going to call ACA on this tomorrow but thought it would be good also to post here. Also I can see where ACA may not want to even have a conversation about lift struts going to wood spar wings anymore but we are still out here flying wood around successfully.

Univar, wagaero, Spruce do sell the new improved oiled and sealed struts.

Brian

 

[Slipinonfinal]

Well found out today answer to my own question on the struts. When the company sent out the new struts for replacement to solve AD 77-22-05 they were oiled but not sealed. They were sent with the premise that they were to be drilled for drainage. Which did not always get done. If you have a set of replacement front lift struts from those days make sure they are drilled. If you drill recently purchased ones from wagero, spruce and Univar you shot your self in the foot, as they are oiled and sealed. Also be aware that your struts may be painted again and the drain hole is there but painted over. Don't drill another hole with out looking carefully and probing around to see if one is there. This issue came up for me because of some bad experiences and I'm hoping to save others from the same grief.

Regards, Brian