R-84 How Do You Repair The Door Shocks So The Door Stays Up?

[Leo Maragliano]

Now probably the most vexing question.  I have to hang a string from a hook on the ceiling whenever I open the door to do maintenance, change tunes, etc.  How can these "pistons" or door springs for lack of a better word be repaired so they do what they were designed to do?

[Ron Rich]

Hi Leo,

Same as any "shocks"--You can't ! But you may be able to replace them-- Check our FAQ's section -- there is a listing there of a supplier--don't know if he has them for that model Rowe, or not--If not, I suggest you purchase two pair of "Vise Grips" and use them on the chrome piston to support that door--be very careful--those doors do split at the hinges !!! (makes a mess when they fall all over you and the floor ------don't axk !!) Ron Rich

Oh--BTW--IF, you change them--get some help, as the door is prone to split at that time -- AND install the new ones with the thin (chrome) end DOWN--regardless of how the original ones were installed !!!

[Leo Maragliano]

Hey Ron, what is the proper name for that part?

[Leo Maragliano]

Pneumatic Spring 4-07149-02

[Ron Rich]

I woodn't call them "springs whut hold the lid open"--I'd "call" them either "Gas springs" or "Gas shocks"--However, I'm not too, so-fist-te- cated, neither--- Ron Rich

[bjwizzer]

Leo,

I have a Rowe-Ami CD100B and it came with a sleeve that mounts onto the "shock" body and when you want to
hold the top open, it slides off an onto the piston shaft but I don't know if they are still for sale.

Another thing you can try is to get a piece of 3/8 - 1/2 inch PVC pipe, have someone hold the top open then
measure the distance from the where the piston shaft comes out of the shock to the top of the piston shaft.

Make 2 slices lengthwise so you have a 5/16 gap in the pipe and then cut it about 1" shorter then the measurement
you made earlier. So when you want to hold the top open just slide the pipe over the piston shaft.

JUST REMEMBER TO REMOVE THE PIPE BEFORE YOU TRY TO CLOSE THE TOP OR YOU COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE HINGE AREA.

If i come across one of those sleeves, I let you know.

[Ron Rich]

Bj,
The ones Rowe first gave away, were OK--when the shocks still had some holding power--but un-trustworthy as the shocks became weaker. Rowe quit giving them away after there was a problem with one letting go, and a door splitting on top of someones head. I will never allow myself to trust them--some models of the doors are so heavy, that if one shock gives out ( or the plastic support), the door WILL come down on your head sideways ! OUCH-- and could cause major damage to someone's head ---- Ron Rich

[amiman66]

The R-85 was one of the heaviest doors because it was full length, the Starlight model had more metal work in it for the reflection of the infinity lights and mirror ball effect. We had one brand new in 1981 the gas struts never really held up the door especially with the tittle rack down.

I used to make a mild steel strut that we fitted by drilling an hole in one end and a slot in the other end, I would take off the strut from the cabinet side ball joint (left hand side of the jukebox, put the ball joint through the drilled hole in the strut and put the gas strut back. You would raise the door and put the door ball joint into the slot of the mild steel strut. This was foolproof and worked every time, to close the door you lifted the door lowered the mild steel strut that rested over the amplifier compartment door.

Regards
Alan

Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

[Leo Maragliano]

I was thinking that a cotter hairpin could be used by drilling a small hole in the shaft of the shock when it's fully extended (the door is open). Even a nail could work the same way. Would both shocks require it or would only one do the job?

[Ron Rich]

Hi Leo,
I don't think I'd drill into that shock--it should be case hardened steel--I have seen a small hose clamp attached to the shocks--(BOTH sides !!) which is then tightened to hold the door opened--or as stated before--purchase new shocks from the supplier listed here in our FAQ's section ?? Ron Rich

[Leo Maragliano]

OK Ron, thank you.

[stingman]

My R-90 also had weak pneumatic shocks.
Three things you can do:
A&B Jukebox Repair in Plaistow, NH sells new shocks (a little pricey)at $60/pair
A&B also sells the door prop for $10 that slides over the dead shock and holds the door open. Look at their accessory page.
I went to an automotive supply house on line and bought two new shocks 20 inches long and 60 Lb. capacity. These were inexpensive at only $20 for the pair.
Measure your shock first. I found the original Rowe shocks were 21 inches long. My automotive replacement is 20 inches so the door sits a little lower when open.
I use the aforementioned door prop from A&B when keeping the door open for long periods just in case..... but the automotive shocks do the trick for quick access and make the door so much easier to handle.

Good Luck

Stingman

[Ron Rich]

Stingman,
You could also read what's been previously posted here-- and get the correct ones, for a ( little) less-- lol--
Ron Rich

[stingman]

Ron is right. If you shop around, you can find a pair of gas struts for even less than $20 (plus shipping).
For my Rowe R90 jukebox I purchased a pair of 20" 40 Lb(each)struts. These hold the lid open but tend to sag a little.
I would now recommend a pair of 50Lb struts for my R90.

[Ron Rich]

Be REALLY careful-- too much pressure, and that door will be laying on either your head, or, hopefully, the ground !!
Ron Rich