OLEO strut rebuild parts? Champ 7AC

[Autogateman]

The mechanic said that one of my struts is leaking hydraulic fluid and it's getting on the brakes and they're wanting $2500 to replace the strut. Does anyone know the needed parts to just have it rebuilt?

 

[Bob Turner]

There was a guy in North Carolina who could rebuild them. Might check with Bill Pancake.

I rebuilt my J4 struts, but they are different - rumored to be standard Harley parts from the 1930s.

 

[Sully]

From Hangar 9 Aeroworks

Aeronca Oleo Strut

Bob is talking about David Rude

David Rude

 

[Pburns]

Univair has oleo assemblies. Looks like they are $1,500ish new. I would check the set screw that you refill the strut through or your packing before replacing the whole shooting match. If memory serves when I did the one on my Champ it took a couple of hours. Not including making the gizmo to hold the spring. The hanger 9 site is a great resource.

Pete

 

[Champdriver]

Don't throw your money away at new oleos just for a leak, that's just stupid.
Hangar 9 Aeroworks has all the info you need to do this yourself, just order the parts from Univair or whoever has these parts. The only two hard parts are making a spring compressor and getting someone to remove the big brass bushing. The rest is easy. I remember I sent mine in to replace the bushing and rebuilt the rest myself some years ago.
Someone on the Aeronca FB page would know who replaces the bushing these days.

 

[Sully]

Someone on the Aeronca FB page would know who replaces the bushing these days.

Again, David Rude.