salon table pedestal rebuild?

[Susan Ray]

It was cut down to 36" x 22". There are three teak fiddle's on the original table ...the long one fit on the inside and combined two on the outside of the new table.

[Ron Hill]

All : It seemed to me that the early factory dinette tables had the best workmanship (1986/87/88). They had 5 fiddles!!  There have been so many table modifications that they'd easily fill a 100+ page booklet!

When I was the C34 Mainsheet tech note editor, I'd call for technical articles and half of articles sent to me (I swear) were modifications to that salon table!
 
And as you-all can see - the mods are still coming!   

A few thoughts

[Breakin Away]

Unlike many of you, I'm perfectly happy with our OEM table. We have no problems getting in and out of the dinette.

However, I would like to replace the non-functioning gas spring inside the corrugated brown aluminum pedestal. Right now we've got the locking knob cranked as tight as possible in the up position. The gas spring would allow for easy lowering and raising, but more importantly, would help keep the table up without it being totally dependent on the locking knob, especially if someone should lose their balance and give a hard push downward on the table.

Does anyone know where this spring can be found, without having to spring for the entire $548 mechanism (pun intended)?

[KWKloeber]

Ba, Are you saying that

#1) The locking isn't tight enough anymore?  Or
#2) You don't want to rely on only that?

(If #1) is the replacement parts/kit on CD what you need?

-k

[Breakin Away]

Ba, Are you saying that

#1) The locking isn't tight enough anymore?  Or
#2) You don't want to rely on only that?

(If #1) is the replacement parts/kit on CD what you need?

-k

#2. It's fine for now, but I could envision a possibility of the plastic ferrules and other parts breaking without the additional support provided by the gas spring. I'm a belt-and-suspenders kind of guy.

[Jim Hardesty]

Unlike many of you, I'm perfectly happy with our OEM table. We have no problems getting in and out of the dinette.
Does anyone know where this spring can be found,

I'm with you, the table may not be perfect but for the way I use it it's fine.  What I don't like is the wobble, not enough to make any major changes but do think about it.  I have thought about adding a support at the compression post.  Was thinking about just a wood block held with hose clamps, zip ties or rope to see how much that would help.  Could even add a knob screw through the block into the table.  This hasn't gotten past the thinking about it stage, yet.  Maybe something like that would work for you.

FWIW.  A few weeks ago I lowered the table, looking at another thinking about doing idea, and after raising the table pretty sure table had less wobble.  Maybe exercising the table helps.

Jim

[Oldlaxer1]

I went with something very similar to Susan's and I think we're going to love it. Easy access to storage and now it swivels for even better access. Naturally I kept the old one and put it and the cushion in storage.

[scgunner]

Lots of great ideas on this thread, everything from keep stock to complete removal and everything in between. As always there's no right way it's what works best for you.

[KWKloeber]

I could envision a possibility of the plastic ferrules and other parts breaking without the additional support provided by the gas spring.

You might try to contact Zwaardvis directly or Taco (the US distributor) to see if there are ANY parts or substitute support available.  A long shot no doubt!!

-k