1929 Chrysler tonneau cylinder

[BlueDevil]

Anyone ever dealt with this. It won't hold up the rear tonneau cover currently.

 

 

Edited August 1, 2023 by BlueDevil
Picture was in the wrong place. (see edit history)

[BlueDevil]

Cylinder was held together with 2 set screws that locked the threaded top. 

 

Here are the internals. Pretty simple and no seals.

 

There is no seal only a bumper washer at the top. The piston has a bleed hole.

 

The cylinder is 13 3/4" , the springs are 4" and the piston is 3/4". So that is 8 3/4"

 

There is a spring base 9 1/2" down from the top, that leaves 3/4 " of space

 

Looks like it was light on oil and the springs may not be strong enough.

 

I was thinking of grooving the piston for an "O" ring.

 

Any advice?

[Oldtech]

This isn't a hydraulic ram, just a damper so an o ring won't do anything.  Is it supposed to support anything? it doesn't look to me like it has any function other than to prevent the cover from dropping too fast. 

[BlueDevil]

Oldtech,

 

You may be right. That tonneau is heavy and I guess you could hold it up while people got in. I am going to add more oil and see if that does anything.

 

[BlueDevil]

I was hoping it acted like the gas struts on a hood or trunk on modern cars.

[28 Chrysler]

Try reassembling it with a bit of wheel bearing grease.

The washer goes on the top or bottom of the piston ?

[BlueDevil]

The washer was between the springs. That may be the problem. 

[Oldtech]

I think the washer is between the springs to keep them "stacked" and not allow one to wind into the other. I would think it would use quite a thick oil.