I really wanted to come to Penticton again this year, but just can't swing it.
Instead, I have convinced Steve Fenner (Support Tech) to attend the Penticton Rally and install pneumatic roof struts for the SSR owners that will be there. It wasn't hard to talk him into it, since he is such a committed member of the technical community. Steve will be arriving on Thursday and departing on Saturday afternoon. He will be bringing a batch of struts from LST and some of my installation tooling with him.
Steve has been engaged in the roof strut project from day one and is a real proponent of replacing the gas cylinders that help get the roof out of the storage compartment. It's important to do this BEFORE a hydraulic problem shows up.
Please use this thread to sign up for strut replacement at the rally.
That's OK...... What you need to do is help Steve install a set on someone else's SSR. It's a 5-10 minute job and only takes a little training. You will then be able to order them and install them yourself. LST has resident tooling and will be able to fill your order after Penticton.
Not a hard job to do, as long as you are using the tooling.
Just a hop and a major skip to Penticton Bruce
You never know, if Steve had a bunch of standing orders for the Nationals he might be good for another road trip!
Kim and I have planned to go this SSR National Meet also.
I will have 20 Sets on hand in Penticton or more if need be.
The Roof Struts on my truck were replaced just 2 weeks ago and it is a simple operation with the install tool that Mike has designed for this purpose.
Without the install tool, we would be just looking for a problem to occur.
Please make a posting for those of you who wish to have me change your roof struts for new ones in Penticton.
I'm not casting aspersions on your abilities, Support Tech, I'm sure you're perfectly competent. And Penticton is a beautiful place, I've been through that area several times. But it is a wee stretch from here, probably four times as far as Springfield.
We will see you in Springfield for sure. Our SSR had 8,000 miles on it when I bought it and 65,000 miles on it now, and hopefully thousands more miles to come, going to these SSR events all over North America.
I want to share some observations after seeing about 80 sets of these changed.....
Universally, everyone that has changed to the new struts has found something improved.. Some noises are gone, some clunks disappeared, some rattles stopped, some moved faster in the up direction, some speak about having the roof balance open at car shows, and most all say that their roof moves smoother.
If you are wondering about how to tell if you need new ones..... Here are some symptoms that you will want to think about:
Does it go "clunk" when lowering? Does it whine or growl when lowering? Does it rattle when the roof is up and locked? Does it no longer balance in the "half open" position at car shows? When you reach down and wipe your finger on the bottom strut mounting point, do you come out with an oily finger?
If you are suspicious about your roof system, this is the time to get those 10 year old struts refreshed with better quality units.
Sorry about the rant without meaningful data included. I expect to have data on the actual pressure loss by the middle of next week. I have almost all of the removed struts to date. There is a lot to learn from them.
If you are wondering about how to tell if you need new ones..... Here are some symptoms that you will want to think about:
Does it go "clunk" when lowering? Does it whine or growl when lowering? Does it rattle when the roof is up and locked? Does it no longer balance in the "half open" position at car shows? When you reach down and wipe your finger on the bottom strut mounting point, do you come out with an oily finger?
If you are suspicious about your roof system, this is the time to get those 10 year old struts refreshed with better quality units.
Mike:
Roof Questions for the uninitiated.
I have zero problems with my roof, 30K miles now. No complaints no weird noises I am aware of. Inspection shows everything normal/clean/dry. Passes the roof balancing test just fine.
However 11 year old struts, I think I read somewhere they have a 10 year life expectancy, rather be proactive than caught with my roof down.
Is there anything you can do to forestall failure? Cleaning/lubrication, etc?
Is it best to just put this in the maintenance plan because of the cylinder age? One would assume you'd have to replace all of them at once. What's the cost projection on that?
There is a reference to a special tooling needed.
Is that a S.E. loaner or needs to be purchased somewhere?
Thanks,
Cary
04
I have the dreaded "clunk" upon lowering, so I will need to see Support Tech or yourself sometime soon!!!
Both you and Steve are dedicated professionals and we REALLY appreciate you both!!! :thumbs:thumbs
Glad you're bringing your technical skills and Mike's engineering to the Beach Cruise.
Please put me down for a replacement set of struts. Due to Beach Cruise registration commitments, my SSR won't be onsite until Saturday morning. I'd like to see them go in, but that will depend on your schedule to get back on the road.
I should be available in the 1 PM or so range on Saturday. If that works for you, great. Otherwise I will have to entrust one of those dastardly SSR owners with my keys. But I will be checking mileage on the truck.:glol
You will have to use your best currency exchange calculator. Here's what I charge:
They are normally $195 USD. That includes shipping of the struts and tools to you and the shipping cost of the return tag included in the box to get the tools back. Since Steve is bringing the tools and the struts directly from LST, the shipping both ways is eliminated. That puts the cost at the rally to be $160 USD.
Mike and Steve ... What is a Girl going to do without NEW STUTS TO STRUT??
Mike & Steve !!!
Please put me down for a NEW PAIR OF STRUTS at Penticton !!!! Having sold my AWESOME H2 HUMMER :willy:, my SSR and Mercedes 450 Smart Car are all I have left in my once Ginormous Fleet of AWESOME WHEELS, and they need to have the LATEST GADGETS !!
Thank you, and by the way, I cannot remember if you took Credit Cards for your work, Steve !!
The Roof Struts are priced at USD$160 (CAD$195) a pair, and the Black Rear Deck Struts are USD$120 a pair (CAD$145) a pair. Stainless Deck Struts Pair USD$185.00 CAD$225.00
Hood Strut Kits are priced as follows:
Black Pair USD$135.00 -CAD$165.00 - Black Hood Strut Kit (Installed) USD$185.00 CAD$225.00. Stainless Hood Strut Pair. USD$210.00 CAD$255.00
Stainless Hood Strut Kit.(Installed) USD$310.00
CAD$365.00 I will have all sets on hand in Penticton.
Stephen Fenner - Support Tech.
Hi Steve,
I'm not one to have cash on me, so i hope you take credit cards !!
Question for you also, can my original back struts be adjusted so they open more than 1/8 th of an inch ??
You mentioned being in Calgary in July. Where and how can I get in touch? Am thinking I am a candidate for new struts and may not make it to Penticton.
Also, I have an SSR in Palm Springs, CA that may also need some help. Thanks.
You mentioned being in Calgary in July. Where and how can I get in touch? Am thinking I am a candidate for new struts and may not make it to Penticton.
Also, I have an SSR in Palm Springs, CA that may also need some help. Thanks.
The 2020 Beach Cruise is the 20th Anniversary of this great event. 25 SSRs coming to the 2020 Beach Cruise as of February 28 2020 Below is Episode 5 Season 22 of My Classic Car with Dennis Gage, at the 2017 Peach City Beach Cruise in Penticton, BC http://www.myclassiccar.com/episode/22/05/...