Fix for lift gate struts

[AzTumbleweed]

I hate those stupid gas-charged struts that hold your lift gate open. They are expensive, hard to change and don't last long. Here's what I did:

First drill a hole as shown:


Then put any sort of clip through it. Secure it with something so it won't get lost

[Selectron]

Thanks, that's handy. I opened the lift gate on my wagon back in the winter while it had a half-inch layer of snow and ice on it, and it fell back down under the extra weight and wrecked the struts. I had been thinking of making a self-latching mechanism, or a long, thin, slip-on collar to clip over the steel shaft whilst in the open position but six months later I haven't done either so I might just drill them and use your clip option - looks quick and easy.

[AzTumbleweed]

The price is certainly right! First time I did this I just used a cotter pin. The steel is pretty hard so use a good drill bit and best to use a small one and drill a pilot hole first.

[Arnoldtheskier]

I used to keep a pair of vice grips ALWAYS! there..

[AzTumbleweed]

Originally Posted by Arnoldtheskier

I used to keep a pair of vice grips ALWAYS! there..

That's what I used to do to. Had a little pair. The guy who invented these things is a retired millionaire by now

[Arnoldtheskier]

Originally Posted by AzTumbleweed

That's what I used to do to. Had a little pair. The guy who invented these things is a retired millionaire by now

Your idea is better. You have already tried mine..and LEARNED!..(the hard way) SOooo..you KNOW about when you don't put them on monster tight!..Aaaand...you THINK the tailgate is up and SECURE. Then...SLLlloowwllly...OOOPS. AS the lid picks up SPPppppeeeEED...

SLAMS DOWN..on your head or what else or whatever you were loading in

Your're right! I OFTEN!! thought of a better way..ended up buying a newer Escort Wagon.

[AzTumbleweed]

Originally Posted by AzTumbleweed

That's what I used to do to. Had a little pair.

VICE GRIPS I meant!

[zzyzzx2]

Interesting idea, but I will just replace mine when they stop working good in the winter. I do agree that the replacemtn cost does seem high for what you get. I mean they practically cost the same as struts.

[mightymoose_22]

It's been 14 years with my Escort and never had a problem with these... maybe I am due??

[Selectron]

Mine failed after thirteen years - the struts had been becoming progressively weaker all of last year, but then opening it when covered with the layer of snow and ice proved to be the final straw. So anway, I've just discovered that thing called Freecycle - sort of like eBay, but more of a FreeBay - you get stuff but don't pay anything for it, and can get rid of unwanted stuff but without charging anything for it. I picked up a load of computer equipment last week which somebody wanted rid of - picked up another box full of stuff tonight too so now I'm building myself a new computer. Yep, so anyway, I had a computer under one arm, opened the wagon liftgate with the other, which of course promptly fell back down on account of how I still haven't fixed the struts, so I had to stand with the liftgate resting on my head while I loaded the computer in the trunk. Repeat for a monitor, and then repeat again for a scanner. My head was getting kinda tired of holding the liftgate up by the end of it all, so I may go for option three, which is to cut a big piece of wood and carry it in the trunk, and I can use that to prop the liftgate open and give my aching head a rest.

[AzTumbleweed]

Problem with a piece of wood is when the wind is blowing. Come on, just drill the hole. You'll be glad you did.

[Selectron]

Well I still haven't fixed them. Problem is that most of my drill bits would struggle to drill through a piece of mahogany so I'd be lucky if they'd even scratch that steel.

Went to collect a set of wooden stepladders tonight - was told they were 6' but when I arrived and measured them, they turned out to be 7'6" so I don't even know if they'll fit in my wagon. I'll measure the interior tomorrow and if they won't fit then I'll be taking a saw with me to cut them down a little, because I only need them to be 6'.

6' or 7'6" though, it should be fun trying to load them into the Escort whilst simultaneously holding the liftgate up with my head. I might get somebody to video the results and put it on youtube.

[AzTumbleweed]

Use you luggage rack for the ladders.

[Selectron]

Don't have one. Actually, I've never owned a car which had one. I always like to drive wagons though because it's so convenient to drop the back seats and carry large items in the back. Well, it used to be convenient back in the good old days, when my struts still worked.

[AzTumbleweed]

Tilt the passenger seat forward and set them on the seatback.