My buddy called the other day and invited me to meet up at a place in Northern MN for dinner. Well, I went to town to ready my plane and upon opening the hangar I noticed the fron strut on my 172 was collapsed and fluid had leaked out all over the place. I have replaced the seals in it awhile back and knew that I would have to eventually replace the strut due to bad chips on it causing them to tear away at the seals. I started to take it apart yesterday and am thinking I may as well replace the whole thing if I can find a used one for a reasonable price. Anyone out there have one? Maybe I can go with one from a 206 so I can install a bigger nose tire.
Thank you,
Keith

I have a complete assembly. I got it to have as a spare, when I was going to put skis on my 172.( in case I bent the original) Never did get around to doing the skis. I think I paid $500 for the nose gear/strut, but I don't have a 172 anymore, so how does $200 sound. NO PAPER WORK though.

I also have the set oi 172 skis, also NO PAPER WORK for $800.

My front strut is pretty pocked from gravel pinging against it, and I was going through seals every other year. An old geezer told me that I could significantly increase the life span of the seal by wiping down the ram as part of each preflight to get the dirt off. The dirt gets kicked up by the prop (or the wind if you park outside) and sticks to the oily piston, and is of course rather abrasive. After wiping it down, he said to spray it with silicone lube which is a good metal to rubber lubricant and will help keep the seal sliding over the rough spot on the front. It sounded like a good idea, so I've been doing it. I'm at the point where I would have replaced it again, and it's still looking good. Time will tell!

is it the cylinder or the strut housing that is deteriorated?

Patrolguy,
I am interested. PM sent.

Sefro,
I hope it is just the cylinder that is bad. I kept having to add air and fluid. I annualed it a few weeks ago and when I when to fly the other day all the fluid had leaked out. Actually when I lowered the tail it ran out of the strut. Haven't gotten it apart yet. I have had to replace the O-rings before and the bottom part of the cylinder is heavily abraded. Lots of corrosion. I called and I think they had told me tha maximum allowed was .010 deep for rechroming.

Keith

Well bummer. Hopefully you can find a serviceable strut at a reasonable price.

sefro,
yes, major bummer!!! I took it apart and replaced all the seals but it didn't hold pressure. Looks like it will need to be replaced. Been a very busy summer so I haven't been able to get back to repairing it. Hopefully I can get it fixed before fall/winter sets in. Hunting season has a way of taking up any of my free time.
Currently in Springfield MO for my daughters wedding...why didn't someone tell me it was hot and humid here?
WW

Hey Keith,

Isn't there a huge Bass Pro store there? All is not lost. 59 here as a high today. Bringing the 185 south of the border to put in storage for the winter again (probably 3rd week or so of Sept). Will try to connect. Steve

Hey Steve!
Yes, went to the Bass Pro Shop and they are renovating so most of the display area was closed.
Dropped my son off at the Springfield airport at 5:00 am and headed back to MN. Got home at 9:30 Pm last night. I am wore out from the drive.
Definitely get in touch with me when you get here.
I need to get to town and get back to work on the nose strut one of these days.
Keith