Trunk Struts

ScoopDog · 02-22-2009, 09:04 PM

I am wondering if I may have the wrong trunk lift supports on my 95
2 door hatchback, I bought some replacements but when I looked at them
next to what is on the car now, they are a lot shorter, they probably would
fit but would not extend as much, if any one out there could measure the length of the trunk struts fully extended I would appreciate it!

DOCTORBILL · 02-24-2009, 03:40 PM

They are easy to remove.

I can measure mine when I get home from work and let you know.

However, this is a problem for EVERYONE with a hatch....

They cost an arm and a leg new.

I have "obtained" several at the Pull & Save, but they almost always are just as
bad as mine are.

Mine crap out in cold weather and I use the old proverbial broom handle which I
always carry in the back of my '93 hatchback.

I'd like to figure out a wood rod system on a hinge at one end and some type
of clip at the other so that I can just prop the hatch up.

Maybe one of those super strong Rare Earth MAGNETS glued or embedded in
the broom handle end and a hinge at the other.

You could put the hinged end on one end of the hatch and have the magnet end
stick to the hatch.

Just pull it off and prop the hatch up.

When closing the Hatch, let the magnet stick to the hatch when you rotate the
stick back up before closing the hatch...

Paint the Broomstick so it is "puuurdy"....

It could work....!

DoctorBill

Rooy · 02-25-2009, 07:06 PM

DoctorBill,

I posted a while back about a device designed for just this purpose.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=930481

I finally went to Advance Auto today and picked one up for $8.49, and I have to say, it is possibly the most ingenious device ever made.

Works perfectly and is more stable than I imagined.

It's universal, comes with 3 different clamps to fit different sized strut rods, and the prop must be cut to length. Even comes with a little miter box and saw blade to cut it perfectly.

Much more convenient than my former device.

DOCTORBILL · 02-26-2009, 03:45 PM

I Googled Advance Auto and found out that it is not on the West Coast...

http://advanceauto.know-where.com/advance-auto-parts/

I looked under "PartsAmerica.com" (Schucks here in Washington) but couldn't find
"LiftLock"....

Then I printed Rooy's photo and looked at the name more closely.

Made by "Pylon" and it is by Pylon that you have to search !

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...artNumber=8200

I am on my way to Schucks here in Spokane (Eastern Washington State) to by one or two
of these gems...

Thanks Rooy ! Nice.

DoctorBill

bennie442 · 02-26-2009, 04:21 PM

I used those for many years on one of my cars. Word to the wise, if you loan out your car, or let someone help load stuff into the rear, make sure to point out how they work, or you will be replacing them after they get broken.

DOCTORBILL · 02-26-2009, 07:39 PM

I guess today isn't my day.

Went to Schucks with the PartsAmerica part number and Rooy's Photo.

No gots! In fact Schucks and PartsAmerica are parting company come march 1st.

But - something really nice came from this.

A salesperson at Schucks said, "Why buy this junk, when all you need is a section
of ABS or PVC Water Pipe...?"

I was told to cut some plastic water pipe the length of the Strut's Piston Rod,
take the Strut off and run the pipe over the strut, then re-install the strut.

When you open the Hatch, lift the PVC pipe up over the rod and let it rest on
the strut. The Hatch cannot close as the plastic pipe prevents the strut from
closing.

Lift the Hatch a bit, move the plastic pipe and let it drop over the Strut and close the hatch.

I about crapped myself ! So elegantly simple - yet perfect - and CHEAP.

You can spray paint the plastic pipe black and it will hardly be noticeable.

SO...I went home and tried to take off the strut....no way.

The Metro Struts cannot be disassembled. Could not get the Ball out of the
bottom end and the Top Hinge is riveted onto the rod end.

So in desperation, I cut the PVC plastic Pipe lengthwise with a hacksaw blade.

Then I put the Strut back on the Vehicle and spread the cut side of the PVC Pipe
to allow me to force it over the rod lengthwise. It is pretty tough.

Here are photos of how it worked - QUITE WELL.

It snowed last night, so these photos have snow in the background.

You can't get any cheaper and more elegant than this.

...and if a club fingered, porcine oinker like me can do it - anybody can!

Gravity keeps the Plastic Pipe up against the top of the Strut because it is at an angle while open - neat.

It is essentially unbreakable. I think folks used to use this sort of thing on screen door closers - to keep the door open....

Also - I am going to put this on BOTH STRUTS just in case I bump the pipe.
The Hatch could fall with only one - but two would hold it up even if bumped...

I had only One Inch PVC Pipe, so when I can find some one half or three quarters inch,
I will replace what you see. What I have is maybe 1/2 inch too long also.

Has to be large enough to slide over the Strut and I didn't measure the Strut's diameter - t'were cold out there !

I want to emphasize - this was not my idea. It came from someone who works at Schucks.

DoctorBill

Crvett69 · 02-27-2009, 01:52 AM

what i do is even cheaper. i put a very slight bent in the strut rod where it goes into the cyl. i just grab the rod and pull toward me a little, you only want about 1/16" bend in it or it will be to hard to open or close. done it to several metros and seems to be working just fine. just remember don't pull real hard and bend it to much or hatch won't close

RossT · 02-27-2009, 05:42 AM

Great idea. I also like that you can paint to match.

One question,,,,, does it rattle when driving?

DOCTORBILL · 02-27-2009, 09:58 PM

I drove to work today and it does rattle.

I wonder how I can fix THAT...?

I used it when I went to the store and loaded something in the Back.

Worked nice.

If I could get that damned Ball joint to come out, I could use a lesser diameter
plastic pipe.

Must need some "Special Tool" to take out that wire holding it in...

DoctorBill

Crvett69 · 02-28-2009, 01:51 AM

actually its kinda crimped in, just use a 12mm open end wrench and unscrew it from the hatch

DOCTORBILL · 02-28-2009, 11:21 AM

Sorry..that is not what I meant.

I had the whole strut out of the vehicle and the ball joint sticks out at right angles
to the strut.

That fact keeps anyone from sliding the plastic pipe over the Strut.

I tried to "pop" the ball out by levering on it, but that doesn't work - it is in there !

There is a wire "Keeper" inside the hole above the Ball joint and some slits on each
side of the Ball - but I could not remove the wire or the Ball.

Brute force did not work - just bent the washer around the bolt.

If one could temporarily remove the Ball, then one could slide a lower diameter
plastic pipe over the strut, put the Ball back in and this idea would work even
better.

If anyone knows how to get that Ball out - please let us know !

DoctorBill

lou Fishman · 11-14-2012, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScoopDog

I am wondering if I may have the wrong trunk lift supports on my 95
2 door hatchback, I bought some replacements but when I looked at them
next to what is on the car now, they are a lot shorter, they probably would
fit but would not extend as much, if any one out there could measure the length of the trunk struts fully extended I would appreciate it!

Greetings: Sounds like you purchased the wrong ones, Can you tell me the year, make and model of your vehicle and the numbers off of the ones you purchased and we can see what you need and possibly fix you up, You are located in Oceanside and us San Marcos so the travel is little.

lou Fishman · 11-14-2012, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOCTORBILL

Sorry..that is not what I meant.

I had the whole strut out of the vehicle and the ball joint sticks out at right angles
to the strut.

That fact keeps anyone from sliding the plastic pipe over the Strut.

I tried to "pop" the ball out by levering on it, but that doesn't work - it is in there !

There is a wire "Keeper" inside the hole above the Ball joint and some slits on each
side of the Ball - but I could not remove the wire or the Ball.

Brute force did not work - just bent the washer around the bolt.

If one could temporarily remove the Ball, then one could slide a lower diameter
plastic pipe over the strut, put the Ball back in and this idea would work even
better.

If anyone knows how to get that Ball out - please let us know !

DoctorBill

Can you tell me the year, make and model of vehicle you are working on so we can see what you are actually talking about, Some are not removable and would require new ball studs. The new supports if you can send us any part number that are on them we can see if they are correct for your model.
Thanks, Lou Fishman

lou Fishman · 11-14-2012, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOCTORBILL

Sorry..that is not what I meant.

I had the whole strut out of the vehicle and the ball joint sticks out at right angles
to the strut.

That fact keeps anyone from sliding the plastic pipe over the Strut.

I tried to "pop" the ball out by levering on it, but that doesn't work - it is in there !

There is a wire "Keeper" inside the hole above the Ball joint and some slits on each
side of the Ball - but I could not remove the wire or the Ball.
Brute force did not work - just bent the washer around the bolt.

If one could temporarily remove the Ball, then one could slide a lower diameter
plastic pipe over the strut, put the Ball back in and this idea would work even
better.

If anyone knows how to get that Ball out - please let us know !

DoctorBill

Greetings: Some model have the ball stud built into the ball socket and they can't be removed without cutting the end. If you can send me a picture I can look at it ad try to find a way to remove it for you.

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