Ageing Gas Struts. Beware.

[66yostagea]

Like me the struts have passed the UBD. The bonnet slowly came down if not propped up. I was under the front for an oil change. The bonnet was up but not propped. I was getting out from under and reached up to the top of the grille to get up and

F@%&! The bonnet came down on the back of my hand. I tried to open the catch but the bonnet was fully locked.

I screamed for Mrs66 she opened the release and I got my hand out.I envisioned all my fingers either crushed or amputated and a bloody mess. But the Gods had smiled on me. No blood, no broken skin even. I whispered a silent prayer of thanks.

That was yesterday. Today I fitted the spare pair I had.

[KiwiRS4T]

Close call!!

I have some new ones must get them fitted.....

[Daleo]

Lucky man Hugh!

[Dan_J]

Hugh, you and i are one of a kind, similar thing happened on my cefiro years ago

disclaimer:

beware of gas bonnet struts bahaha!

[Captain Wow]

Just incase anyone is interested, you can actually get them re-gassed. I had mine done at my local Auto One, but I'm sure other places must do it. Had it done a couple of years ago and they're still going well.

- Lance

[Duncan]

Damn straight Hugh, they are a killer. Boot too.

They are very cheap to re-gas and that is a real head saver!!

[DMM]

lucky man!!! Could have been ever worse if the car was running.

I typically hate regassing struts, they leak out for a reason (seals perished/shaft scored/torn seal) and re gassing is a patch fix...If think you can generally get a pair of new struts for about 50-60! Regas is about 40....

Edited November 19, 2014 by DMM

[zoomzoom]

I believe I replaced them with a pair of generic maxima struts. Cheap and very strong.

Doing the rear tailgate is still going to be a trick. Other than regassing its a custom job to make new ones. I don't mind making new brackets, but finding similar struts is trickier.

[Shopping Trolley]

On my old 2001 M35 the boot would try to push me in the back with my bike on cold mornings, rest of the time they worked nicely.

Pity they are not like the Toyota Hiace ones that you can rotate a section once open to lock them open.