Lift Assist stops moving downward

Forum for Maintenance and Repair topics. Feel free to ask questions or contribute.

Moderators: HopefulSSer, admin

DLB
Platinum Member
Posts: 1985
Joined: Fri Nov 08, 2019 11:24 am
Location: Joshua Texas

Re: Lift Assist stops moving downward

Post by DLB »

DAVC3 wrote:Your photo matches the Lift Assist on my machine. I upgraded to the Power Pro and got the Lift Assist because the headstock weighs more than the conventional one. The model number is 555975.
I think you may have gotten some incorrect information somewhere along the line. This model number, 555975, is for a Mark V Lift Assist, implying conventional headstock. The PowerPro Lift Assist for Mark VII's and Mark V's after 1972 is 556191. More importantly, the replacement gas cylinder for PowerPro is 556199 for $47.34. See: https://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cat ... assist.htm I don't have a lift assist, but I'm under the impression that the PP version has a quick disconnect which is to make it easy to disconnect for under table ops. That is probably not going to be on any aftermarket version you find.

If you still want to pursue aftermarket, I'd look for manufacturer markings as a starting place. I don't see a modern car parts store being much help on this. You are going to want to match by extended length, compressed length, and force. They are going to want to match by Year, Make, and Model of the 'car' yours came off. I've been in exactly one parts store in the last 30 years that had what used to be called a counter-man that knew this kind of stuff. But there are many sources available based on the lengths and force rating. (I'm thinking the force rating for this one must be very high, it does not have great leverage.)

- David
garys
Platinum Member
Posts: 2075
Joined: Wed Mar 02, 2011 12:16 am
Location: Bismarck, ND

Re: Lift Assist stops moving downward

Post by garys »

Gas cylinders like that seem to have a short life. I've seen far too many of them fail to work on cars after they are a few years old. I don't see any reason for the ones on the Shopsmith lift to last any longer than the ones used on other applications.
User avatar
wa2crk
Platinum Member
Posts: 3080
Joined: Sat Jul 22, 2006 7:37 am
Location: Leesburg, Fl

Re: Lift Assist stops moving downward

Post by wa2crk »

I tried several years ago to get a gas cylinder for the Power Pro headstock from a manufacturer of these cylinders to no avail. The info stamped on the cylinder yielded no information. Mine is a lift assist for the conventional headstock but I now have a Power Pro on the machine. The conventional gas cylinder works OK and I can lift it with no problem and I just turned 80.
Bill V
Post Reply