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Old 08-22-2016, 01:47 PM   #1
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Vegas 25.1
State: Ohio
Posts: 34
THOR #5125
Broken door strut

Morning

We recently purchased a used 2015 Vegas. This weekend on our first trip, we found the door strut laying in a drawer! I didn't even realize the door had a strut. When I tried to reattach, I found the door pin has pulled out from the bottom of the door (photo below). Has anyone else had this happen? Any thoughts on how best to repair?

Thanks

John
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Old 08-22-2016, 02:07 PM   #2
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1
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THOR #4950
Look at the plates on this page. On aircraft we will add a plate to attach the gas cylinder to. Maybe you could fabricate a backing plate if there is enough clearance.


DOOR STEWARD CESSNA LEFT & RIGHT HAND CABIN DOORS from Aircraft Spruce
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Old 08-22-2016, 03:43 PM   #3
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 31S
State: Florida
Posts: 303
THOR #4443
Quote:
Originally Posted by giagejohn View Post
Morning

We recently purchased a used 2015 Vegas. This weekend on our first trip, we found the door strut laying in a drawer! I didn't even realize the door had a strut. When I tried to reattach, I found the door pin has pulled out from the bottom of the door (photo below). Has anyone else had this happen? Any thoughts on how best to repair?

Thanks

John
Re drill a new hole a tiny bit closer to the hinge and re tap the hole to the correct size of the mounting stud. Then just remount the strut. OR just leave it off.
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Old 08-22-2016, 03:56 PM   #4
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Model: Vegas 25.1
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THOR #5125
Quote:
Originally Posted by penguin View Post
Re drill a new hole a tiny bit closer to the hinge and re tap the hole to the correct size of the mounting stud. Then just remount the strut. OR just leave it off.
Thanks for the reply. The original door connection looked like a rivet. I will see if I can find a screw in type and will give it a try. Thanks again.

John
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Old 10-10-2016, 11:56 PM   #5
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Vegas 25.1
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THOR #5125
Quote:
Originally Posted by giagejohn View Post
Thanks for the reply. The original door connection looked like a rivet. I will see if I can find a screw in type and will give it a try. Thanks again.

John
Fixed the door strut this past weekend. Took penguin's advice and re-drilled/re-tapped a new hole. I wish I had re-read the answer before I drilled the first hole! This picture shows the fix. Red Arrow points to the original stripped location. Yellow arrow is attempt number one. The strut is too short to fully open the door from here. Blue arrow shows the final attachment.

Here is a link to the site and part I purchased for the replacement.

AA Ball Stud 10mm=(3/8") 5/16 X 18 S316 Stainless H91591SSW $3.90
High Quality Automotive | Marine | Industrial Lift Supports
Search results for: 'H91591SSW'

Works great.

John
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Old 10-11-2016, 12:30 PM   #6
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Model: ACE
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THOR #698
Do you know what the psi rating is of the replacement strut. The one on the door now lets the door open really quick and does not slow the door and it jerks hard when it reaches full extension. It has already loosened the hinge screws on the lower hinge and had to replace them with the next size up.

Thanks for any help
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Old 10-11-2016, 07:34 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by Ed-Helen pns View Post
Do you know what the psi rating is of the replacement strut. The one on the door now lets the door open really quick and does not slow the door and it jerks hard when it reaches full extension. It has already loosened the hinge screws on the lower hinge and had to replace them with the next size up.

Thanks for any help
The power rating should be marked on the strut in Pounds or Newtons.

However, you should find a replacement with greater damping characteristics, not necessarily a higher or lower operating force.

Take a look at the reviews on this item as an example:

https://www.amazon.com/RV-Designer-G.../dp/B002XM5E6S
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Old 10-11-2016, 11:49 PM   #8
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Vegas 25.1
State: Ohio
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THOR #5125
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ed-Helen pns View Post
Do you know what the psi rating is of the replacement strut. The one on the door now lets the door open really quick and does not slow the door and it jerks hard when it reaches full extension. It has already loosened the hinge screws on the lower hinge and had to replace them with the next size up.

Thanks for any help
Ed

Sorry, I do not. I reused the original one. Just reattached to the new mount.

I will pick it up in a couple of weeks and post a reply with the numbers

Thanks

John
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Old 10-12-2016, 01:05 AM   #9
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Model: Hurricane 31S
State: California
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THOR #3788
I removed mine there was no need for it installed latch to hold door in open position
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Old 03-04-2017, 03:18 AM   #10
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Brand: Still Looking
Model: Fleetwood Southwind 37F
State: Texas
Posts: 124
THOR #1793
Quote:
Originally Posted by giagejohn View Post
Fixed the door strut this past weekend. Took penguin's advice and re-drilled/re-tapped a new hole. I wish I had re-read the answer before I drilled the first hole! This picture shows the fix. Red Arrow points to the original stripped location. Yellow arrow is attempt number one. The strut is too short to fully open the door from here. Blue arrow shows the final attachment.

Here is a link to the site and part I purchased for the replacement.

AA Ball Stud 10mm=(3/8") 5/16 X 18 S316 Stainless H91591SSW $3.90
High Quality Automotive | Marine | Industrial Lift Supports
Search results for: 'H91591SSW'

Works great.

John
I am about to do this repair. I have the ball stud but need to aquire a tap set.

What size hole did you drill and what size tap? I've viewed a few reference tables but trying to verify.
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Old 03-05-2017, 04:54 PM   #11
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Vegas 25.1
State: Ohio
Posts: 34
THOR #5125
Quote:
Originally Posted by GMac View Post
I am about to do this repair. I have the ball stud but need to aquire a tap set.

What size hole did you drill and what size tap? I've viewed a few reference tables but trying to verify.
I am not 100% sure but it looks like an 11/32 is about right. I believe the tap was the 10mm tap. I drilled a test whole in a piece of scrap metal, tapped that whole, and verified the bolt would thread before working on the door.

Good luck

John
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Old 03-08-2017, 11:14 AM   #12
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THOR #6723
No it never happened to me.
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Old 03-08-2017, 03:00 PM   #13
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THOR #3952
On the 30.1 the strut keeps the door from hitting the awning bracket when the awning is out. My strut is adjustable also.
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Old 03-09-2017, 04:08 PM   #14
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Model: Fleetwood Southwind 37F
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THOR #1793
Project complete.
Installed new ball stud about an inch closer to door hinge. Door then opened past 90 degrees and would impact the awning. I cut about 1.5" off gas strut rod. Tried to re-thread but couldn't get threads deep enough (cheap die set). Ended up welding socket to rod. So far, all is well and door stops at 90 degrees!
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