Q: Hello Richard, attached is a picture of the hatch serial number. Also I have attached a pic of one of the hold open arms that I need to replace. Photos are here:
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Let me know what parts I need so I can get approval for purchase.
Thanks
A: The replacements lifting mechanism for the roof hatch that you have provided photographs of above is indeed the Bilco RPRS400.
when we spoke earlier on the phone you gave me a part number of RPSWJ400 but please keep in mind RPRS400 is for are roof scuttles and RPSWJ400 is for are vault door. You have a roof scuttle.
A: - I have spoken at length with the factory who has confirmed that the shock is, from your photographs, in the correct sort of compression limit for the installation.
Simply stated the factory expects that you are going to perform the installation with the unit, the roof hatch lid, in a far "closer to open" position then you would with the unit in a closed position which is why it is only somewhat compressed rather than significantly compressed when it ships.
It is correct to say that the lifting mechanism is partially, slightly compressed, and the state of the shock as you have it and the two photographs you have supplied of the door both in the open and closed position are all thoroughly compatible and indeed exactly correct.
The factory did indicate that during the installation process you might need to scoot the door forward ever so slightly to get the top of the mounting tube brought into alignment with the two mounting brackets so that you can run the stop thread bolt and then complete the installation, because of course the lower boots and lower tube assembly as what is connected first, but you will have no problem proceeding with full confidence.
please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any further questions regarding this.