Door Stewart Strut Replacement

F

Florida Flyer

Pre-takeoff checklist
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Sep 7, 2021
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Mike
Alternate source for the strut replacement? I am sure Mountainview Aviation does not manufacture these!
 
Bell206 said:
Not enough info. Source for what, a kit or just a strut? Are you looking for a cheaper alternative? What aircraft? Etc...
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The Door Steward is an STCd doorstop used on some airplanes that typically had inadequate doorstop hardware. It's just a gas strut, with some custom brackets riveted to the doorframe and door. The gas strut will be an automotive item, probably from the hatchback of a minivan or something.

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I've encountered them. The doorpost brackets flex too much and I'd expect eventual cracking. But they do hold the door open nicely, and control the speed of opening so that the wind doesn't easily damage stuff. And they don't get in the way much.
 
Dan Thomas said:
The Door Steward is an STCd doorstop used on some airplanes that typically had inadequate doorstop hardware.
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I'm familiar with the Steward STC just wasn't sure what the OP was looking for as an alternative. Have installed a number of different brands to include some DIY versions. Definitely a door saver especially on helicopters.
 
I’ve never installed one but I agree with comments regarding doors.

And add “ Door POSTS”.

Doors flapping in the breeze may damage the Forward Door Post on Cessna

aircraft. Keep in mind the entire aircraft hangs from the Door Posts!

This is particularly critical on 172’s without External Door Stops.

Repairs to the Post are rather involved. Cessna has a fix but we used a DER on

several that involved structural epoxy. Best avoid needing the repair. This unit

could save you a LOT of $$$.
 
I had a door steward installed on a Cherokee 140 I once owned. I liked it very much, especially in hot weather as it would hold the door open at taxi speeds.
 
Magman said:
Doors flapping in the breeze may damage the Forward Door Post on Cessna
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They also abrade the lower end of the wing strut if the internal stops are broken (as is typical). Cessna says that the strut damage is to be dressed out, but if more than 20% (if I recall right) of the wall thickness is gone, a new strut is in order.
 
To clarify, looking to replace just the strut. Part number is 201c101-1s with 10mm ball end. Thanks for all the input.
 
Gas springs are sized by closed length, stroke length, and spring power. Most have multiple options for the ends. Google gas springs.
 
Dan Thomas said:
They also abrade the lower end of the wing strut if the internal stops are broken (as is typical). Cessna says that the strut damage is to be dressed out, but if more than 20% (if I recall right) of the wall thickness is gone, a new strut is in order.
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I just went through this issue on my 63 182F. I had flown to my Dad's house and parked the plane at KCMA. While out there the Santa Anna winds came ripping through. The door blew open at some point and ripped the stock door stop apart. The door impacted the strut and caused some damage. I had 2 different A&Ps look at the damage and say "smooth it out and fly". Neither one measured anything which made me a bit uneasy based on advice from another forum


On a Cessna specific forum one of the well known Cessna mechanics had posted the following:

"Wing Strut Damage Criteria
A. Negligible damage: Any smooth dents in the strut that are not more than 0.090 inch (2.03 mm) below contour and circumscribable with not more than a 3.0 inch (76.2 mm) diameter circle is negligible damage. Minor scratches which do not involve removal or displacement of strut material is negligible damage. Because of the critical nature of the strut, any non-cosmetic scratches must be reworked.
B. Repairable damage: For grooves in the strut caused by fairings, strut may be repaired if groove is less than 0.020 inch and is more than 0.75 inch from a rivet center. For lower trailing edge strut damage (typically caused by door hitting strut), strut may be repaired if groove depth is less than 50% of original material thickness.
C. Damage Necessitating Replacement Of Parts: For grooves in the strut caused by fairings, strut must be replaced if groove exceeds 0.010 inch in depth and is less than 0.75 inch from a rivet center AND/OR if groove exceeds 0.020 inch in depth and is more than 0.75 inch from a rivet center. For lower trailing edge strut damage (typically caused by door hitting strut), strut must be replaced if groove is deeper than 50% of the original material thickness."


I ended up finding a serviceable strut, got the paint matched, and had it installed. I also installed Door Stewards at this time. All in for about $1800. Maybe it would have been fine to smooth out and fly, but I never want to hit some turbulence with my family and have that in the back of my mind.
 
Looking to replace the strut only as mine are getting week after 5 years. Aftermarket availability since I a sure that Mountain View does not manufacture these.

GAS SPRING REPLACEMENT - 201C101-1​

 
Mountain View does indeed still manufacture and ship them. I was able to call and order over the phone. It was just under $63 total including shipping to Alaska for one strut
 
Lol they don't manufacture these, they relabel and sell them. But thank you for your input
 
@Florida Flyer did you find an alternative shock? Mine broke from a wind gust (plastic ends). It looks like the latest OEM are metal ends.

I measured mine to be 9 3/8” compressed and 15” extended, 5 5/8” stroke.

I’m guessing 15-20 lbs force is needed?
 
texasclouds said:
@Florida Flyer did you find an alternative shock? Mine broke from a wind gust (plastic ends). It looks like the latest OEM are metal ends.

I measured mine to be 9 3/8” compressed and 15” extended, 5 5/8” stroke.

I’m guessing 15-20 lbs force is needed?
Click to expand...


Measure the force against your bathroom scale and you are set to order from anywhere.
 
Dan Thomas said:
The Door Steward is an STCd doorstop used on some airplanes that typically had inadequate doorstop hardware. It's just a gas strut, with some custom brackets riveted to the doorframe and door. The gas strut will be an automotive item, probably from the hatchback of a minivan or something.

05-00922a.jpg


View attachment 113512

I've encountered them. The doorpost brackets flex too much and I'd expect eventual cracking. But they do hold the door open nicely, and control the speed of opening so that the wind doesn't easily damage stuff. And they don't get in the way much.
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I had a set installed at annual when I got my 182J, as one door was completely missing the factory doorstop. After pricing a factory doorstop (yikes), I went with these.

I liked the functionality, but what you pointed out was one of the first things I noticed-that mount flexes a lot. I didn’t have the airplane long enough to find out, but I suspect it would have cracked over time.
 
Omalley1537 said:
I liked the functionality, but what you pointed out was one of the first things I noticed-that mount flexes a lot. I didn’t have the airplane long enough to find out, but I suspect it would have cracked over time.
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I have a 182K, and shortly after I bought it in late 2014, the pilot side door stop broke. Like OMalley1537, I was shocked at the cost of the OEM part, so I sent with Door Stewards on both sides. I've also noticed that the mount flexes a great deal, but to date (after almost 10 years), it has not cracked, nor has the mounting point on the plane cracked. I've sometimes wondered whether the flex in the mount is intentional, so as to not put undue strain on the airframe at the mounting point.
 
SoCal 182 Driver said:
I've sometimes wondered whether the flex in the mount is intentional, so as to not put undue strain on the airframe at the mounting point.
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Not likely. A flexing mount isn't spreading the loads evenly across all those rivets and something is going to crack or work loose. The flex is not relieving the load, either; it has to go into the doorpost one way or another.
 
Had Door Stewards on a C182K I bought. They seemed to get in the way climbing in. To me they are a work around to fix the factory door stops. I did look for the oem parts to repair door back to factory setup but they are expensive even used. I would avoid them if possible.
 
I have had 0 issues with mine other than the springs are worn. At over $150 a pair for the replacements from ACS i will find an alternate source
 
Florida Flyer said:
Alternate source for the strut replacement? I am sure Mountainview Aviation does not manufacture these!
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"The Door Steward is an STC and FAA-PMA approved modification for aircraft doors. The modern gas spring greatly improves and replaces easily broken,"

Is this even legal? Not that I even care but if you all want me to log every oil change to be legal then this aftermarket non STC or PMA part legal to install? Certified Aircraft I'm talking here?
 
bonefishpete said:
Is this even legal? Not that I even care but if you all want me to log every oil change to be legal then this aftermarket non STC or PMA part legal to install? Certified Aircraft I'm talking here?
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Sure, as a minor alteration signed off by a mechanic. For an owner to perform the work as a replacement part under prevent mx then the strut would need a PMA or be an OEM part to be legal.
 
Bell206 said:
Sure, as a minor alteration signed off by a mechanic. For an owner to perform the work as a replacement part under prevent mx then the strut would need a PMA or be an OEM part to be legal.
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OK would you as a A&P sign off on this? Mine never wanted to instal NAPA parts that were identical to OEM. Landing lights as an example. How about Billy Bobs super airboat spark plugs? How far does minor alterations go?
 
Short answer (from article below):
FAR 1.1 defines major and minor altera-
tions this way:
• Major alteration means an alteration not
listed in the aircraft, engine, or propeller
specifications that might appreciably
affect weight, balance, structural
strength, performance, powerplant
operation, flight characteristics, or
other qualities affecting airworthiness
or is not done according to accepted
practices or cannot be done by
elementary operations.
• Minor alteration means an alteration
other than a major alteration.

Medium answer:

Long answer:
 
bonefishpete said:
OK would you as a A&P sign off on this?
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Yes and have in the past.

bonefishpete said:
Mine never wanted to instal NAPA parts that were identical to OEM. Landing lights as an example. How about Billy Bobs super airboat spark plugs?
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And that can be understandable for a number of reasons. For example, I wouldn’t necessarily provide the same for every owner who asked as well. However, there is FAA guidance that would allow you install various NAPA parts as a minor alt provided they met a known industry standard.

As to landing lite bulbs, those tend to be considered a standard part unless you’re talking about LED bulbs. But even those have workable options like Aero-Lites vs Whelen. However, cheap knock-off brands I wouldn’t install simply because they tend to cause RF issues.

On Billy Bobs plugs, no, as that puts you more into a major alteration by definition and it would take more research and time than worth the effort to me or the owner.

bonefishpete said:
How far does minor alterations go?
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That is up to the installer. However, I find its easier to determine if the alteration meets the definition of a major alteration first and if it doesn’t, then the sky’s the limit on what you can install under a minor alteration. For example, I’ve installed various off-the-shelf marine, CB, and FM radios in aircraft as minor alterations.
 
texasclouds said:
I ordered these 20lbs force to try out. My old, weak one measured 10 lbs force and it wouldn’t hold door hardly at all.

View attachment 139113
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I bought these, and installed one. It slammed my door open so badly that the Door Steward mounts on the door and the fuselage flexed to the point that I thought if I continued to use them, one of the mounts (or the door or fuselage) would break. I removed it, and will be returning the two struts that I ordered. NOT RECOMMENDED!
 
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SoCal 182 Driver said:
I bought these, and installed one. It slammed my door open so badly that the Door Steward mounts on the door and the fuselage flexed to the point that I thought if I continued to use them, one of the mounts (or the door or fuselage) would break. I removed it, and will be return the two struts that I ordered. NOT RECOMMENDED!
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Hmm, they work great on mine; however maybe my doors are fighting more gravity with the taildragger stance.
 
texasclouds said:
Hmm, they work great on mine; however maybe my doors are fighting more gravity with the taildragger stance.
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Fair point. Could be the different angle of the door causes yours to open more slowly. I may try a 15 pound version.
 
Those gas springs are supposed to move slowly. If they slam the door open, they're defective or cheap. Or both.
 
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