broken stairmaster

[Cevinzol]

So I was taking a walk the other night and I trash-picked a piece of exercise equipment.

its a weider aero stepper. I knew it was broken when I picked it up but figured I'd give it a shot at fixing it.

Here's the situation.
the machine has 2 foot pedals that are attached to a "resistance cylinder" (looks like a cars shock absorber to me). As you step on the pedal it expands the cylinder and as you let up, the cylinder shortens and lifts the pedal back up for the next step.

well one of the cylinders has sheared off so I need a need one. The problem is the company doesn't carry this model anymore so they don't have parts. Evidently these "resistance cylinders" aren't interchangeable. I asked if a car shock or strut would work and got "Oh that would be altering the product, I can't help you there."

I called a local fitness equipment supplier and asked the same thing. "Nope can't help you. I can't give you any advice on how to fix it, you might sue me." I told him I had a shop with plenty of tools I just wanted to know if a shock or strut would accomplish the same thing. "nope, we live in a ligitious society and I (as a company representative) couldn't possibly give you any advice." It was more or less what i got from the manufactuirer. What a bunch of wusses. I swear, the only good lawyer is a dead one.

ok enough of a rant. Do any of you gearheads know if a shock or strut would work? I know a tailgate lifter won't work because its too weak and it pushes rather than pulls.

TIA for any ideas.

[AKA_RA]

Well, can you really blame them? It seems a lot of America is "sue happy" these days.

What you could try doing is carefully remove the "resistance cylinder" that works and find out what it does, how much it does it, compression/expansion/etc. Then to make each "stair" equal in resistance, find 2 suitable replacements and attach them in a fashion similar to how the working one was attached.

Or, another option would be move into 4th floor apartment. Then you'll have no need for a stair-master. ;)

[CanaBalistic]

You could file a lawsuit saying that the strut broke while you were using it and made you break your leg or somthing. Ah, easy money...

Otherwise, put it back on the street where you found it. You would be able to get a new one for less than the price of the replacement part. Remember, over 50% of the population is over weight. Exercize equipment comes a dime a dozen.

[AKA_RA]

I don't mean to be off topic, but 50%, really? im assuimg a lot of them are shut ins, or im just lucky to live in a college town. ^_^

i had another idea though, why not figure out a way for the "stairs" to turn up and down movement into rotary movement, mod a generator, and now you can run CS when the powers out, and burn calories while knifing CTs. :D

it would work great if your up in seattle. My CS:S server is up there and i had to go without my 24/7 office serve all weekend. oh woe is me :(

[CanaBalistic]

Yeah...

Im not certin on the exact percentage but the last time i checked, north america was rated #1 for having the most fat bastards.

Can i super size your McWorkout?

[AKA_RA]

Yes, but can you make my soda half coke half diet coke? I'm trying to watch my figure. :D

You know....you could try turning it into a virtual stair master. just put a HTPC in it and watch a DVD of someone on a stairmaster while standing on your stair master. Or just see how many systems your can cram into that thing, lol

^_^

[AJ@PR]

I'm assuming there are no markings/engravings on the busted cylinder.

Best bet would be...
Can we get some pictures? pretty please!

Is the cylinder of 'disposable' type, or can it be opened up without destroying it?
hmmm....