carole
Slightly Hitched
Posts: 10
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Post by carole on Jul 20, 2015 8:44:26 GMT
Hi, we have just bouht 2 new gas struts for the heiki 2 roof light. We've took the 2 caps off, but can't see how to get the old ones out, other than drilling it. Have any of you got any tips please?
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Post by Dickers on Jul 20, 2015 14:34:59 GMT
Hi Carole,
The gas struts are fixed in with blind rivets tapped in then covered with a plastic cap. In other words, they are not really expected to be replaced.
If the struts are u/s, the only way I can see of replacing them is to take the units off the rooflight (four screws into blocks on the clear plastic of the rooflight) then remove the white caps on the frame of the unit and remove the rivets with pliers. This will free the strut mechanism so that you can work on the bench. Take the covers off the pivots on the end of the strut which is attached to the rooflight and remove the blind rivet. The reason for doing the job on the bench is so that the unit can be supported when knocking the rivets back in. This will minimised possible damage. Reverse the actions to refit the struts. On the frame which is attached to the roof of the caravan, when knocking the rivet back in, hold a lump hammer up against the frame on the outside to act as a bolster to take the force of the hammer blows.
As this is not for the faint hearted because of the posibility of damaging the unit getting the blind rivets out then tapping them back in again, it begs the question "do they really need to be replaced?". The motto here is "if it ain't broke, don't mend it".
The above instructions are worked out by looking at the Heiki rooflight on my caravan and are a guide only. The responsibility for the removal and replacement rests with who ever carries out the work to ensure that no damage occurs to the unit while the work is being done. The suggested procedure is given in good faith. I cannot accept responsibility if it all goes pear-shaped.
Good luck,
Dickers.
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carole
Slightly Hitched
Posts: 10
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Post by carole on Jul 20, 2015 22:35:09 GMT
Thankyou for your reply Dickers!
After reading the reply, think maybe we shouldn't tackle this. Its just annoying not being able to have wide open in the hot weather. we think we might ask for a quote, for a caravan repair centre to do. Hopefully won't cost too much as have already bought the struts!
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Post by Dickers on Jul 21, 2015 8:47:45 GMT
Hi Carole.
If I understand you correctly, I was under the impression, from your original post, the struts were u/s and you wanted to replace them with like for like struts. Now you have said that you want to replace them to allow the rooflight to open further it is only fair to say that this is a non starter.
The design of the rooflight/fixed frame/gas strut is such that the geometry will only allow the gas strut to extend (on my Heiki) to 330mm between fixing pivots of the strut. This limits the opening of the rooflight to approximately 45 deg. When the rooflight is closed, the gas strut is fully compressed between the pivots and lies horizontal in the channel of the frame. Again, because of the geometry of the arrangement, this is a fixed dimension and cannot be altered.
It follows that, to increase the opening of the rooflight, a longer strut would have to fitted. If you fit a longer strut you would not be able to close the rooflight because of the geometry. The length of the closed strut would be greater than the distance between the fixing pivots in the closed position. If you close the rooflight nearly all the way and have a look at the position of the pivots in relation to the closed length of the strut, you will see what I am getting at.
Sorry to be a kill-joy.
Dickers.
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Post by Sorento 08 on Jul 21, 2015 10:50:43 GMT
Hi Carole. If I understand you correctly, I was under the impression, from your original post, the struts were u/s and you wanted to replace them with like for like struts. Now you have said that you want to replace them to allow the rooflight to open further it is only fair to say that this is a non starter. The design of the rooflight/fixed frame/gas strut is such that the geometry will only allow the gas strut to extend (on my Heiki) to 330mm between fixing pivots of the strut. This limits the opening of the rooflight to approximately 45 deg. When the rooflight is closed, the gas strut is fully compressed between the pivots and lies horizontal in the channel of the frame. Again, because of the geometry of the arrangement, this is a fixed dimension and cannot be altered. It follows that, to increase the opening of the rooflight, a longer strut would have to fitted. If you fit a longer strut you would not be able to close the rooflight because of the geometry. The length of the closed strut would be greater than the distance between the fixing pivots in the closed position. If you close the rooflight nearly all the way and have a look at the position of the pivots in relation to the closed length of the strut, you will see what I am getting at. Sorry to be a kill-joy. Dickers. I wonder if Carole is saying the window will not stay wide open and closes due to US struts??
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