Great service from Calder and team, new strut on its way!
12/13 update:
Replaced my strut over the weekend and it was a fairly simple process. While of course I failed to take pictures, figured I could write up a summary of the steps I took in case it helps anyone:
This could probably be done with a single person as one strut seemed to hold open the tent while the other was being replaced, but I would recommend having someone help hold open the tent from the inside to minimize stresses to other components. I’m sure you could easily prop open the tent with scrap wood as well in a pinch.
- Removed safety clips from both ends of the strut. These are little wire pieces that keep the ends of the strut from slipping off the ball studs.
- I decided to remove the top part of the strut first (the one attached to the upper extrusion). The struts are compressed about 2-3” (~5-7.5cm) when the tent is fully open. With the safety clips removed the struts easily pop out with a little tap from your fist, or more appropriately, a rubber mallet.
- Pop off lower end of strut to completely remove.
- I installed the top end first and installed the safety clip. The tough part of reinstallation came when needing to compress the strut to insert into the lower ball stud.
- I used a small ratchet strap to compress the strut. In general, I looped the strap around the upper (while installed on the tent) and lower sockets on the strut and carefully compressed it while making sure the straps didn’t slip. I had seen a few videos where people also used some wire, large clamps, and hose clamps to compress struts (I.e. multiple ways to skin this cat).
- Once compressed enough, slipped the lower socket into the ball stud and inserted the safety clip.
Fairly straightforward process, toughest part is compressing the strut for installation. I’m sure this process would’ve been even better with a beer or two.