QwkTrip

iTrader: (22)

Anybody know which brand and p/n rear hatch gas struts aren't over powered but still hold up in the cold of winter?

I have a lifetime warranty on struts from Advance Auto. Been through 3 sets in less than 10 years. The last set was too strong and pushed the rear hatch out beyond the body. And yet it got weak after just a couple years, so I traded it in and the replacement are even more powerful than the last! It pushed the deck lid out again, and I don't dare let the hatch raise on its own because it is too violent. I have to hold down the hatch with significant strength. I think it could lift a small person off the ground.

IROCIN

Interested in the response on this as well. Mine operates the same, scary fast if left to raise on its own.....

Reddragon88gta

I spent too much time researching different pressure ratings etc and came to the AMS4967. These will not blow the hatch off the car when opened and did not push my hatch out of alignment like the Strongarm ones I had before. These seem just right IMO for strength. The only thing I can’t vouch for on these is longevity seeing as how I installed them this spring.

They are available on rockauto and I believe they are meant for cars without spoiler or wiper but they have no issue with my Hawks fiberglass aerowing spoiler.

ironwill

The last set of rear hatch struts I installed, about 10 years ago IIRC, were from NAPA. They were about $90.00/pair, and continue to work well.

Knucklehead39

I had the same problem, so I took one of the new ones off and put an old one back on. That brought the lift speed back to normal. I mark the new one with a piece of tape to keep track of which one I replaced. . When things slow down after a couple of years, I replace the oldest one.

Reddragon88gta

UPDATE: I just wanted update everyone who reads/searches on those struts I have, I am pretty sure that I blew my rear defrost switch because I never swapped over the plastic bushings on the strut eyelet that connect on the deck lid from the old struts to the new. So be sure to do that and save your switch from early death. Luckily I kept the old ones that have the plastic bushings so I can switch them over. The struts themselves still work great.

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

I have the same problem. Bought a set off Amazon designed for my car and the things are way to strong. I cant use the hatch release button for fear of breaking the glass. That's how bad it is. I have to use the key and hold the hatch as it goes up. When closing it, I have to "assist" it down so the motor doesnt strain too much. The key here is to find a strut that has a lower newton meter (N) rating.

5.0ta

iTrader: (1)

What would be the ideal strut for a '86 Trans Am with the original heavy rubber areo wing?

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

1989karr

following!!!

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

I guess I should be glad that my struts on my GTA have never been strong enough to lift the glass. Just strong enough that when I pop the hatch it clears the lock. Then I lift it the rest of the way.

When I move to a fiberglass wing, it should get just light enough to lift the glass on its own.

I'll have to keep this thread in mind so that if my struts do fail, I can find the not super strength struts.

1989karr

I recal lreading somewhere that the struts for a stock Firebird with spoiler are perfect for Trans ams with the Fiberglass wing

lsirg22

I bought two NOS rear tailgate struts from Classic Industries. Pricey at $157.99 each but installed in minutes and worked like new.

QwkTrip

iTrader: (22)

I find it odd that doesn't embarrass you. LOL!

StevenK

iTrader: (1)

Buying good parts for your car should make you embarrassed?!

Wow

QwkTrip

iTrader: (22)

I got some good parts for your car. I'll even make you a promise to be over priced. I take PayPal or cash. Give me a call, champ! LOL!

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

That's actually the MSRP from a GM dealer, NOS prices can be very expensive.

QwkTrip

iTrader: (22)

..... So I think what you're trying to tell him is they're not NOS they're 2019 Beijing edition collectibles.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

I bought a set of NOS rear hatch struts and they were/are pretty weak. Only stays open when warm out.
To be fair, I figured they would be bad. I bought them because they have perfect paint and part numbers on them (originals had paint cooked off down to bare metal). However, it's not assembly line correct, the part number is a decal instead of being painted or silk screened on.

1989karr

The ones I bought from for a hatch with just the standard Firebird spoiler CHECKERS (now Oreilly's) were like $50 each. They used to open kinda fast but would slow down before they reached full open......kinda like those new tailgates that you open and they fall open but slow before they are fully opened,,,,.


They no longer push the hatch open but they still keep the hatch up very well. once its past open halfway....below half then it falls.....This was from like from 2003...its now 2021 so i guess i got my money's worth lol

I think the brand was strong arm. They had all kinds of listings like No spoiler, trans am, rear wiper, base firebird 82-84 without spoiler, wth spoiler, Formula etc...

lsirg22

Nope not embarrassed. I like NOS parts for my car. 315$ is not a lot to solve a problem. Anyhow I got loads of dough to spend on my car collection.

lsirg22

Yea right that's not gonna happen. Who makes comments to members like this in what's supposed to a friendly forum for 3rd gen enthusiasts?

lsirg22

I don't think he was saying that. There not from china champ. They were original GM parts.

1989karr

do they push the hatch pen when you release them? Im wondetring if the originals opened the hatch or just popped it

lsirg22

Struts do not lift/push the hatch on their own. Only after YOU begin to lift it will the struts "assist" you. Turn the key it pops up an inch and will stay there. Apply light lifting pressure with finger tips under spoiler and it will slowly raise up as you guide it. Just now as an experiment I took my hand off the hatch after it started to lift. Something I probably never did in 30 yrs of owning the car. It glides up safely on its own at reasonable speed. You hear the polished piston gliding. As it reaches the end a second noise is heard. Possibly backward pressure is engaged to "brake" or lock the piston in the final inch or two to prevent damage and to hold the hatch open presumably in all weather conditions. For any doubters I could provide a video.

KCG

iTrader: (1)

I'm still learning all these third gen issues...what do you mean it pushed it out past the body? Is there slack in the hinges or does the bottom of the hatch slide off the glass?

QwkTrip

iTrader: (22)

Yes, the rear deck lid slid back on the glass beyond the body about a 1/8 inch or so. It was already like this for many many years, but I had it fixed recently and the new struts undid the fix. Never seen myself how it attaches to the glass (screws and glue ?) but I think it can move only a bit at most.

1989karr

How long did you let the glue cure before reattaching the struts?

QwkTrip

iTrader: (22)

Prior set of struts pushed it out. Then it was fixed and was fine for a couple years before another set of new struts pushed it out again. It's not worth fixing again, not very bothersome. I always have body panels moving around from hard driving.

1989karr

whaqt kind of adhesive was used? maybe it wasn't strong enough? i had the strong struts and it didn;t push it out for over 12 years...they are weak now though

QwkTrip

iTrader: (22)

I have no idea, I didn't do the work. Doesn't matter, that's not the bothersome part. What's bothersome is the hatch opens like dynamite and I need to control it on the way up. Makes the motor work really hard to close too.

1989karr

What if you buy used from hawks or a junkards?


Of course don't pay a lot etc..

or if you want new. my old structs have been holding the hatch up for YEARS but have not pushed the hatch open since about 6 months after I first installed them. Mine were strong arm, and when I first got them theyd push the ahtch open but would catch themselves and slow before they fully extended.

1989karr

Other people's aftermarket struts pushed it open it seems, as did mine when the replacements were brand new for about 6 months. turn the key, and the hatch would open automatically. From the force. After that 6 months though it operates like yours.

Im guessing there;s a break in period or something.

Scarrie

The ones I had were so strong they broke the hinges. Found replacements on ebay and didn't dare do the repair myself but neither did the body shops I called. I was told to contact a restoration shop but haven't had time to bring it in for estimates.
Thanks for the info on earth bound replacement struts

J.C. Denton

iTrader: (1)

I would love to find struts that are strong enough to open my 88 hatch with the heavy D81 spoiler... Everytime I press the button in the dash I have to jump out the car and lift the hatch by myself or it will cycle up and immediately latch the hook and goes down again. I've tried three different brands and all of them didn't lift the hatch a bit after unlock...

Airwolfe

iTrader: (1)

I have a 1992 Firebird base model with the pedestal spoiler. Got Sachs/Stabilus hatch struts for a car with no wiper and no spoiler. Push button and hatch motor raises it a few inches then releases it and kicks it up a few inches and it stays there. I lift it with just my two index fingers 5 or 6 inches and it smoothly raises to full open. I lower it easily to the same height it was at where it raised itself and can push it down with my index fingers until the hatch motor latches onto it and it smoothly closes it.

My friend has an 89 TTA with a Hawks fiberglass wing. Hatch struts on it will launch satellites into low Earth orbit and one would think it going to launch the entire hatchback 20 feet in front of the car someday busting it into a million pieces. That's why I got the weakest of the three Sachs/Stabilus struts and it opens exactly like I wanted it too. The options were no wiper no spoiler, wiper or spoiler, wiper and spoiler.

thirdchance

Good old thread revived. Thanks for the tip on down-spec'ing when ordering. GM put some on last year and they are scary fast lifting. I researched a bit to learn what would happen if the glass broke and you needed a new one installed...there isn't any! Even more scary!

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

I came across this thread while searching what others have used for hatch lift struts. I'm in the process of installing an 91-92 Aero wing spoiler. My 91 Firebird originally come with the standard pedestal spoiler so lift supports that are on the car may not be strong enough to handle the extra weight, understanding that there are hatch struts that offer different pressures due to some cars did not come with a spoiler or wiper system and some did. I started looking at Rockauto and most of the manufacturers do list the pressure that they are expecting their products to have, more than likely the listed pressures probably aren't very accurate but can give a you at least a starting point in helping to determine which one is gonna work for your application, as with anything with Hot Rodding there will be some trial and error to get it right. I've compiled a list of the offerings from Rockauto to help me make an edgamacated guess sharing it here maybe it'll help someone down the road.

ACDELCO 510509 Liftgate Lift; without Wiper; without Spoiler 156 lbs

ACDELCO 510510 Liftgate Lift; with Wiper; with Spoiler; with Rear Window Sunshade 187 lbs

STABILUS 1F061224 Hatch; Coupe; w/o Spoiler & wiper 116 lbs

STABILUS 1F061463 Hatch Lift; Coupe; w/ Spoiler or Wipe 135 lbs

STABILUS 1F061702 Hatch Lift; Coupe; w/ Spoiler & Wiper 148 lbs

AMS AUTOMOTIVE 4967 Hatch; Rear; without spoiler & without wiper 118 lbs

AMS AUTOMOTIVE 4900 Hatch; Rear; with spoiler or wiper 141 lbs

AMS AUTOMOTIVE 4954 Hatch; Rear; with spoiler & wiper 157 lbs

STRONGARM 4967 Liftgate Lift; without Spoiler; without Wiper 118 lbs

STRONGARM 4900 Liftgate Lift; with Spoiler; with Wiper; with Rear Window Sunshade 141 lbs

DynoDave43

iTrader: (11)

Nice1 Thanks for taking the time to do that homework and share it with us here.

FinallyGotMyZ

So glad I stumbled onto this thread, and thanks to 91Banditt2 for compiling the above list of struts at Rockauto. I have the same problem as others, in that I ordered and installed aftermarket hatch struts that are far too strong (I have a Z28 with only the spoiler - no wiper, no louvers). The hatch comes up so quickly that I don’t even use the center console release anymore - only the key and my hands on the lid, which kinda defeats the purpose of having a center console release. Additionally, I think the stress and strain of the struts pulling against the retraction motor caused the motor housing to fail. I have employed a JB Weld fix until such time that I can buy and install a new motor housing. Of all the options listed above, does anyone have any practical advice as to which option would be best for my setup? Really would love to have the stock-style smooth, non-violent opening, lol. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

Good info here.

My struts are pushing 10 years old and still working fine, button "pops" the hatch and then you give it a little lift and it goes smoothly on it's own. However, the first year or two I ALWAYS used the key to open it because like QwkTrip described it would fly up like a catapult and literally hit the "open" position resting point with enough force to shake the dang car. These were the struts that were meant for cars with spoilers but not a rear wiper. Thinking back I almost wonder if the autozone/advanced person sold me struts for a firebird with the giant wing instead of a camaro but oh well.

The deck lid attaches to the glass via screws that go through oblong holes in the glass along each side and screw into the decklid. There is a bead of sealant that goes along the front of the decklid and the holes are shaped such that the lid can be placed and adjusted prior to tightening down. There is a gentleman on youtube who does a several part series on deck lid replacement for a red IROC that is very informative.

Likewise I created a thread a while back positing that the reason some cars came from the factory with the deck lids misaligned was due to the wrong struts being installed from the factory. We have photos of NEW thirdgens sitting on the lots with the decklids sticking out, it's kind of hilarious.

Reddragon88gta

I like the AMS 4967, it works great on my 88’ GTA with the Hawks fiberglass aerowing spoiler. When I hit the release it just slowly releases and when I go to the back I lift it. Anything more powerful and my decklid alignment is off as well.

On your set up I wouldn’t go any higher than the 135 or 141 psi options, but you might be able to use the same ones I did, just depends on what you like.

FinallyGotMyZ

Thanks so much for your reply, really helpful!

BigBlock73

iTrader: (1)

I put these in my 90 replacing the ones that were way to strong and scared me every time I opened and closed the hatch. Now the hatch pops, I lift with one finger and it goes up slowly.

StrongArm 4967

GasGuzler

I have the same issue with my 87, hence why I came to this thread. I have about 3 seconds to jump out of the car and lift the trunk so it doesn’t latch again, it’s extremely annoying.

KITT87

Second this, I have an 87 bird with the pedestal spoiler and strongarm 4967 works great.

Abubaca

iTrader: (3)

Just chiming in here. As with others, replaced my 4900 with 4967. Standard 88 Iroc hatch/spoiler. Used to come up on it's own, and WAY too fast. Now it just sits there on the latch, hovering. Juuuust a little pressure and it'll come up, but MUCH easier to pull down too.

$15 a piece from Rock Auto.

stoutblock

Opening up this thread again with a question. My rear window defrost is wired through my strut. Do these replacement struts have this wiring attachment provision?

KITT87

Yeah, I imagine they all do but I can confirm 100% that the strong arm ones have it. There’s a little bushing where the strut connects to the hatch that you’ll need to swap over to your new strut.

stoutblock

OK, I just ordered a pair of the 4967 and crossing my fingers that they work for me. My current struts are not strong enough to lift the hatch off the contacts so the auto release just closes it again automatically. PITA!