Does anybody know if anyplace makes or sells a stronger pair of struts for the rear hatch.

 

Local auto parts stores

 

idk about stronger ones but you can get new ones at 1aauto.com. why would you want stronger ones, do you have louvers or something on the back?

 

i have put on three pairs of struts from the local napa store all of them under waranty btw. I just thought that maybe there was a different brand that was better. I also know that you probably can't get any better than factory pieces but the gm dealer in my area is haveing a hard time getting them. No I dont have louvers I just want them to hold the hatch up for more than thirty seconds. two of the pairs had oil residue like they were bouncing around and the seals shot craps and the other pair just didnt work well one did but the other acted like it didnt have a gas charge right out of the box. ill try a different parts house to see if they are any better until then ill use the stick.

 

Well, there's your problem.

 

Try autozones strong arms

 

acdelco part # 510-509 for no wipers or louvers, or acdelco p/n: 510-510 for the heavy duty units. if you cant get delco, I advise sachs or monroe.

 

We carry them on our site for your Firebird. Free shipping too

Pontiac Firebird Hatch Struts

 

This is one area (and hood struts) that I will buy aftermarket. The GM ones just don't last.
Buy any that have a lifetime warranty. You'll prolly need it. I have been very lucky sofar . I put on a set of hood and hatch struts 20yrs ago on one of my cars and they are still working..

 

i do notice mine get weaker in cold weather but living in the south its not that much of a problem

 

Thanks everybody for youre input I might try to get the delco struts if not them ill give 1a tony a try. thanks again

 

IA Tony just had an ad on here today for supports. I think it said free shipping. It may have been for hood supports but it looked slightly cheaper. That said, once I've replaced them from the parts stores (Not NAPA...no offense), I haven't had a problem. Good luck

 

I buy and sell only the ones spec'd for the rear hatch wiper motor. Strong Arm or SACHS.

Lon

 

They used to have different part numbers for z28 and RS. The RS were less pressure and allow the hatch to rise normally. When I needed to replace them, I bought the ones for the z28, thinking they should be the same. Not quite, they had much more pressure in them, and use to shoot my hatch up like a rocket, it was also really hard to shut.

The z28 uses the higher pressure struts for the heavier wing

 

Here's a video too, that will show you how to replace your hatch struts. Hope this helps yah out.

Tony
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfIfW...9cxwPO3Jm7uJre