The left strut on the cabinet above my kitchen sink broke. The "screw" sheared off and the top of strut seems to have twisted a bit when it broke.
I didn't see anything about cabinet struts in the LD companion.
Rather than go to Home Depot, I would like to order a replacement from Amazon (or HD or Lowes or whichever company will deliver). I need some help with ordering. Is there a size of PSI or some other measurement I should use in placing the order? I will most likely replace both struts to be on the safe side.
TIA!
Can't help with replacement struts but the existing one looks like it could be twisted back in place. You could use a large cotter pin as a temporary fix. A pop rivet might be a better permanent solution.
I think I have some small screws that will fit temporarily. The pop rivet idea sounds good but by the time I buy the supplies, I could probably buy new struts (though I really have no idea what any of they will cost.).
Thanks for the suggestion!
The left strut on the cabinet above my kitchen sink broke. The "screw" sheared off and the top of strut seems to have twisted a bit when it broke.
Instead of replacing the strut, use a 4-40 screw and nut to replace the broken rivet. Any hardware store will have them.
Larry
Thanks Larry!
Deb,
As Larry said, any little machine screw that will fit through the holes will work. Use two nuts on the screw. Turn the first nut so that it is still loose enough to allow the parts to move back and forth. Put a second nut after the first with a lock washer between them and tighten the second nut. That will work for a long time.
Harold
Thanks, Harold!
I have a ton of nuts and screws and probably have something that will work.
I would think that one just needs a bolt and a lock nut. I had some struts that were a little weak in ours so I bought some replacements. When I put them in the spring tension, I felt, was way to strong. I know they come in different lengths but must also have different tensions any how the old ones are back in.
Jon
Deb, using two nuts with a lockwasher between them allows you to set the tightness with the first one, so it isn't too loose, but still moves properly, and the second nut with the lockwasher will keep that setting so nothing changes with time and use.
HD
I think I've got it... temporarily anyway. It seems to be holding well but I'll be gentle and keep an eye on it.
I used the smallest machine screw I had along with 2 nuts. Oh, and it turns out the top of the strut was not bent out of shape, it just twisted in the shaft and I was able to straighten it by hand.
Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the suggestions!
Deb, using two nuts with a lockwasher between them allows you to set the tightness with the first one, so it isn't too loose, but still moves properly, and the second nut with the lockwasher will keep that setting so nothing changes with time and use.
HD
I don't have any small lock washers on hand but when I'm able to get to a hardware store, I'll pick some up.
Thanks!
Deb,
Nicely done!
Do you have any elastic material, like old bicycle inner tube or a flexible place mat? You can cut a little piece, like a washer, from that material and it will likely work just fine. The two nuts jammed together will otherwise work for quite some time.
HD
I don't have any small lock washers on hand but when I'm able to get to a hardware store, I'll pick some up.
An alternative to double-nutting the screw is to use a nyloc nut, it locks in position, allowing the tension to be set and held.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-4-40-Stainless-Steel-Nylon-Lock-Nut-4-Piece-per-Pack-822681/205053753
A drop of Locktite on the threads will also keep the nut from loosening.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Loctite-Threadlocker-Blue-242-0-20-fl-oz-Specialty-Glue-209728/100371826
Larry
I have some small rubber washers that might work.
BRB
Okay, the rubber washers I had were too thick BUT I found a bunch of small lock washers.
So, I have one lock washer, a nut, some plastic washer from an LD button I removed a while ago and then one more nut.
I think this is a winning combination.
Thanks again. This group is the best!
WooHoo! Nice job.
HD
Three hours. CDC distance guidelines maintained. Another job for the FOLD.
"I think this is a winning combination."
Woo hoo! You go girl, I love quick learners. This forum is the better for all when we have members like you! ;)
And if you really want new ones, they are readily avalable. RV Designer H279 RV Cabinet Door Support - Black - 2 Pack (https://www.rvupgradestore.com/RV-Designer-H279-Black-Cabinet-Door-Support-2-Pk-p/31-8515.htm) RonB
This forum rocks!
And if you really want new ones, they are readily avalable. RV Designer H279 RV Cabinet Door Support - Black - 2 Pack (https://www.rvupgradestore.com/RV-Designer-H279-Black-Cabinet-Door-Support-2-Pk-p/31-8515.htm) RonB
All the failed struts I have seen have been one of the hinge rivets, a few brass 4-40 machine screws and nuts are carried in the spare hardware can.
Washers are fine but not necssary.
Larry
We have one cabinet door for which the struts do not hold the door open. The problem is that the Strut does not seem to have the lift it once did and the door slams shut, often on the opener’s wrist!
My question for forum members is: does anyone have knowledge of the specific replacement part. Alternatively, any idea what “Force” the strut is rated for so that I might purchase one that is neither too strong nor too weak? If not, I’ll take one off of another cabinet and measure its resistance with a fishing reel “drag” scale…
Warren
Hi Warren; As the gulf between my 1999 and your 2019 is pretty wide, you could have a different mechanism for keeping the compartment door up. They just have a regular compression spring inside that may have broken.
RV Designer H279 RV Cabinet Door Support - Black - 2 Pack (https://www.rvupgradestore.com/RV-Designer-H279-Black-Cabinet-Door-Support-2-Pk-p/31-8515.htm) or RV Designer H271 Cabinet Door Strut - 6-1/4" - Spring Loaded (https://www.rvupgradestore.com/RV-Cabinet-Door-Strut-p/31-1474.htm). These would likely have the same mounting holes and may match what you have in other cabinets.
True 'gas springs' are available in smaller sizes, and can be substituted. I bought some here on Amazon: Amazon.com : small cabinet gas spring struts (https://www.amazon.com/s?k=small+cabinet+gas+spring+struts&crid=3OAKBW989Z8RA&sprefix=small+cabinet+gas+spring+struts%2Caps%2C158&ref=nb_sb_noss). With an amazing number of choices, including soft closing ones that you may want to install. RonB
We have one cabinet door for which the struts do not hold the door open. The problem is that the Strut does not seem to have the lift it once did and the door slams shut, often on the opener’s wrist!
Warren, I had the same issue with the strut on one of the rear overhead cabinets in my 2017 MB. Discovered it when we brought it home. I called Todd and he sent me a replacement. I installed it and the door still slams shut - often. For some reason, all of the other overhead cabinet doors work fine.
Thanks, Ron. I ordered a couple of the H271 struts as they appear to match what I have.
I hope that my experience with the replacements is better than Glenn’s! My DW has slender wrists and the pain and bruising the doors inflict has been significant.
W
I hope that my experience with the replacements is better than Glenn’s! My DW has slender wrists and the pain and bruising the doors inflict has been significant.
W
The H271 looks exactly like the one Todd sent me. Let me know if it works.
Hi Warren; Is this a longer door that weighs more, like I have across the back wall of my 'TK? There are more heavy duty gas spring types that might be better at keeping the door up when open. I have these on hand that I ordered last year. I sort of planned to use these to hold up a heavier door. Still on the 'to do' list. Amazon.com: 2Pcs 40N/8.8lb Gas Strut Lift Support Cabinet Door Lift Pneumatic... (https://www.amazon.com/8-8lb-Support-Cabinet-Pneumatic-Silver/dp/B07WWBCK6Z?pd_rd_w=FLe56&content-id=amzn1.sym.deffa092-2e99-4e9f-b814-0d71c40b24af&pf_rd_p=deffa092-2e99-4e9f-b814-0d71c40b24af&pf_rd_r=JAYQRW9SD1Q5YH148QVY&pd_rd_wg=HLNjX&pd_rd_r=f51f651a-f9f9-4cf1-870c-61b3948be745&pd_rd_i=B07WWBCK6Z&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_d_rp_135_i) RonB
Follow-up on replacement struts for 2019 MB - the H271 struts were a nearly exact replacement for our original struts. I replaced the struts on the long cabinets and the cabinet doors now work properly.
W