Chris,

 

Robert Simon mentioned that his ES came with the new strut, I'm pretty sure that other recent deliveries have been with the new strut.  Tim spent some serious time working on a modification to the ESCO strut to increase the damping force, without any real success.  The ESCO strut uses BelRay 30W fork oil, which is somewhat dependent on temperature.  I actually ran some viscosity tests on the BelRay 30W and other fork oils at various temperatures.  Tim did develop a second O ring modification that's been done on some of the struts returned to Lancair.  You might be able to check with Tim on whether the second O ring is "standard procedure" or whether you need to ask for it.

 

The new strut was patterned after the Columbia strut, uses hydraulic fluid that's very thin and doesn't have the same temperature characteristics, in other words it maintains its viscosity across a wide temperature range.  I think it's the same stuff we use for our brakes.  I think the new strut is manufactured by someone for Lancair, not even connected with ESCO.

 

The new strut also has a welded flange a the bottom, not a two piece setup like the ESCO, stronger.  The damping force in significantly stronger, enough to bend a tow bar if you're not careful.

 

None of the SBs give a torque specification, so I guess it's either damping or not.  It's not adjustable like the damping on a Belleville washer like the RVs have.

 

That's about all I know, but Bryan Burr may have some more info, he's one of the "converts" from the old strut to the new strut.

 

Mike Easley

Colorado Springs