Gas spring replacement

[GeorgeRad]

Maintenance. I had to replace the gas spring on my sofa bed. The old one had manufacturing date of 2010, it was still working but not as good at the beginning. It was about a 15 min. job, no disassembly required, just snapping new spring to the existing posts. But I had to lift the bed from bed to seating position and realized how the gas spring’s 120 lbs. force helped.

 

[rowiebowie]

Given the pressure in those struts (especially in their compressed state which is most of the time) it amazes me they don't fail more often.

 

[GeorgeRad]

Yes, they last indeed. My strut is mainly in uncompressed state in sofa position so it helps. Not a big expense and easy to replace with the same model, remove wire clips and pop it out, certainly in the uncompressed state.

I bought the original from the McMaster Carr in 2013, unfortunately they changed part numbers so I guesstimated my first replacement but the spring was ¼” too short. Second $20 strut fits like a glove.