Date:         Sun, 24 Jul 2016 11:48:43 -0700
Reply-To:     Neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Another pop top hinge repair
Comments: To: Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca>
In-Reply-To:  <25AE3E35-B683-4564-AFE7-CD53B1E45B4A@shaw.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Too much time on my hands.....  ;)

I installed the Jack Bombay lift assist kit some years ago.
With the kit installed, OEM cable-springs NOT active,
the lift kit didn't provide an even useful amount of assist over entire
range of top movement. This sounds counter intuitive, but IIRC, the lack
of assist was most apparent over last or first 1/3 of top movement.
This was true even with higher PSI assists installed (albeit ones I sourced)
and these made it tough to lower an unloaded top. (no solar panel,
canoe, flux capacitor).

I don't think the lift assist cartridges suffice in place of the
springs but I do think
they'd slow down any wear and tear at cross bar. IMO, that wear and tear
would still happen.

The cable I made has not failed.....  yet.   ;)
This part requires that the ball be swedged by someone with tools
and experience.

If I had a push bar with a cut larger than 1/2 of OD, I'd get that welded up
along with a new sleeve at upper arm.

GW is watching.   LOL.

Neil.



On 7/24/16, Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:


>
> It would be great to have a simple kit that requires only simple tools to
> install. Some ideas along that line came to me during my fix, I have to try
> and follow through with them.
>
> One wonders if the pop top assist kits ( jack Bombay and go Westy) help in
> reducing the pressure on that wearing surface in the hinge. I'm guessing
> they do. If you don't have to grunt so hard pushing up the bar then
> logically there must be less pressure on the hinge.


--
Neil n

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