If the glass is not installed yet and you are pulling down on just the frame for the first time it takes a fair bit of pull. I remember thinking I was over stressing it the first time. Totally changes once the glass is in it. It becomes perfectly balance with only light forces required. Suggest trying to pull it down from the centre to avoid any twisting.
The struts (Stabilus Lift-O-Mat) do not move at all. I removed them (Ugh!) and tried pushing on them in a vise. No movement. I must be missing something? Are they locking struts?
There is no way you would be able to push them with them clamped in a vice.
As already mentioned, they are designed to support the weight of the entire canopy frame and bubble assembly.
The bubble itself is quite heavy.
If the bubble is not mounted to the frame, it takes a lot of force to pull the frame down to its closed position.
The struts (Stabilus Lift-O-Mat) do not move at all. I removed them (Ugh!) and tried pushing on them in a vise. No movement. I must be missing something? Are they locking struts?
Working on this now. Sent an email to Van’s support asking about this very problem. They answered back telling me to disconnect the clevis pin on the struts and leave it off until finished with the canopy. There was no mention about needing the struts attached to align the canopy. That is what I have done. One warning though. If you have already riveted the forward top skin, as per the plans, removing and reinstalling these pins will require diving under the panel and almost blindly feeling for the connection. I have not riveted that top skin and will not do so until I am absolutely sure I will not need to be behind the sub panel again.Updating an older thread:
I am at Step 5: Section 38-20 with the struts connected and am concerned about bending my canopy frame trying to get the struts to compress and close the canopy as I am imparting a lot of force and to no avail. I wonder if it is even possible to close the canopy without the weight of the plexiglass and the new stronger struts? Reading this older thread I am wondering if anyone else has come up on this problem since and a possible remedy. As mentioned earlier in the thread, the procedure should be done with the struts installed.
Best,
Jim
Working on this now. Sent an email to Van’s support asking about this very problem. They answered back telling me to disconnect the clevis pin on the struts and leave it off until finished with the canopy. There was no mention about needing the struts attached to align the canopy. That is what I have done. One warning though. If you have already riveted the forward top skin, as per the plans, removing and reinstalling these pins will require diving under the panel and almost blindly feeling for the connection. I have not riveted that top skin and will not do so until I am absolutely sure I will not need to be behind the sub panel again.