The International Cessna 170 Association

I'm doing some corrosion control and paint touch up on my 170A and would like to remove the lift struts for painting, how difficult is it?

Masking is much easier, that's what I would do, and it's legal for the owner to do unsupervised.

It's not that hard, but as the wing has to be lifted up to allow room to slip the fork end out there's quite a few in between steps involved and requires about three bodies.
I think, if it's just a paint thing then Richard nailed it.

How about the strut seals? I've done a part number search for them with no luck. Replacing them was about half the reason for wanting to remove the struts but if they aren't available anyway... I'm assuming everyone is using some sort of "U" channel from Brown Aircraft, any recommendations? Thanks to all. Louie

The 170 never came with strut fairings.
Early 172 fairings fit but your mechanic may want approval to put them on.

If you pull the strut, take care to not lower it until it is completely out of the aircraft or you can damage the end fitting.

At 100 knots, strut fairings look nice as long as they are in good shape, but they don't do anything for airspeed. Plus, I don't want to drill any more holes in the plane.

I use U-Channel.

Texas Aeroplastics has made fairings in the past, http://buyplaneparts.com/brands/Texas-Aeroplastics.html

He wasn't asking about fairings...he specifically asked about "U-channel"... which can usually be replaced without removing the strut.

Thanks George, question answered.