This is the most popular 8 inch retracted replacement laundry and trash chute hydraulic closer in the chute industry for primarily your linen and sometimes your garbage chute door. But more often it is used for laundry chute doors. The thick silver aluminum tube part of the cylinder measures 8 inches long, and 1" thick diameter. The thin rod measures 5/16" in thickness, and is in the retracted position by default. When you door opens completely the shaft extends itself. laundry chute door spring