My hatch struts, or gas dampeners or whatever they are called are old and useless, been for a very long time.
I really don't want to buy new ones because they'll be as ****ty in a few years, probably because of the cool winters here. Are there any other systems than these struts for cars?

There's got to be something?

 

vice grips and a rag.

There's also a tool specifically made to keep struts up, but it's just a glorified c-clamp.

Unless your car is a clapped out POS, buy new struts.

 

You forgot the almighty stick

A new set of struts are $60 from O'Reileys... lasting 2-10 years, I dont see this as a big deal

 

I still have the original struts on mine after 15 years, still nice and tight. If they ever go bad, I will buy new ones, if they last half as long as the stock ones, I will be very happy.

 

We're looking at the shorter end here given the climate. I think it's wastefull and inefficient to change struts every few years so I was looking for something more effective.

I do know that when a buddy of mine had this old Volvo 142 the hood opened and stayed open and no struts where used. I wonder what kinda system that was.

I guess I could change but I don't wanna

 

Here in Arkansas we have a great way to hold the hood and hatch open after the struts give out: We keep a couple of broom handles under the deck on the trailer.

 

mine only work when its above about 75*, so i got 3 zip ties and got them as tight as possible on each side, and slide them up to hold the hatch No sticks, little work when needed.

 

I put a prop rod setup from the junk yard on mine

Works like a charm.

Course till the weight of the glass bent the damn prop rod.

Shatter shatter it went















U know I'm sure I had someone going there :-) lol

Get quality hatch struts, no easy alternatives that I know of.

later
Jeremy

 

Sure hope you dont put off changing shocks/struts/any other pressurised gas cylinder because its "wasteful and inefficient" to do so on a schedule

Most cars use spring pressure to keep trucks/hoods open. GL fabbing a system for that with the hatch... You can put a prop rod under there, but without struts the hatch is crazy heavy. GM put struts in there instead of all these other possibilites for a reason: they are more cost effective and practical

 

I spent $45 or $50 on new struts front and rear a year or so ago. Well worth it after spending 2 years driving around with a break-down scavanged weed-eater handle in the back to keep stuff open.

I had forgotten what my car looked like with the hood AND the hatch open at the same time.

 

I have some stuts id sell you if you want em, there almost brand new, i pulled em from a car i bought and parted..... PM me for more details, i dont want much for em' It's better than buying new ones.....

 

By the way guys any one know where to get the best ones . I got some at pepboy's a few years back and they didn't last very long. I thought i heard that the one's from napa are ok. Any input?

 

Best is a horribly overused word in here

To answer your question thou, the concept you get what you pay for is pretty self explanitory

Youll sell your kids to the dealership but OEM is proven the be good for 10+ years

Local parts stores are $40-100 per set and seem to last 2-5 years

And finally your discount auto that might work for a weekend

 

Heres something else to consider.

They have several versions of the struts.

W/without wiper, spoiler, etc.

Make sure you get the right strut in the first place.

Spoiler adds weight in a hurry.

I have had great luck with the Armstrong tagged brand from CarQuest stores.

later
Jeremy

 

Get a Lexan replacement for your hatch glass and your problem is solved. Lightweight so its less stress on the struts.

 

.

 

Thats funny i bought my car new in 1990 and the struts in the hatch and hood were shot in 1995, so oem is not the best imo. Just iooking to get something decent and not get riped off Any oppinions on where to look for something of quality? (not used this is not a part i would recomend getting used.)