One diagnostic tool: Remove the bottom half of the strut and pour the fluid into a jar. See if the amount that came out is enough to refill it to just below the fill hole. If it is not, it's going somewhere it doesn't belong.
-- John Skyport East www.skyportservices.net <http://www.skyportservices.net/> John, Thanks for the additional help and insight. I did as you suggested and checked the amount of fluid in the right strut. The amount that came out was about equal the amount that was required to refill the strut, although it appeared to be less than the 10oz. the Service Manual suggests. I just finished working on the left strut. Unlike the right one, it was completely dry. It was serviced last July by adding some hydraulic fluid, not sure how much. Part of my preflight is to check the gear and I had not noticed any signs of oil leaking in that area. The O ring was pretty hard, no telling when it had been replaced as there is no mention of it in the log book. The piston and cylinder looked surprisingly good considering that the unit was dry. I cleaned everything with mineral spirits followed by brake cleaner and installed the cup per the STC. I had enough practice with the right strut that reassembly of the left one seemed almost routine. I am going to pay much closer attention to the fluid level of the struts now; if it takes more than just a bit to top off the fluid, the strut will be dissembled for further inspection. Thanks for all those who helped me with this. Milton
