Gas lift spring failure...need new supplier...

[Juneaudave]

Well crud...I mounted up the gas springs to the hatch this morning while getting all excited about planning and building the galley. I've been holding off on building the galley till the hatch was in place and the gas lifts were operational....keep in mind...being an engineer, these lifts were carefully selected for location and lift capacity...they were test fit...and sized based on accurate measurements with a fish scale (Ok, I guessed)!!!!



The installation went without a hitch!!! Once mounted...a single lift of the finger raised the hatch and held it firmly in place!!! Ah hah, I cried!!! Eureeka...I've struck the delicate balance between lift and closure...Wait till the better half gives it a try and reeks praises upon my skills!!!

The better half got home from work tonight...and I quickly ushered her into the garage where whe could see first hand the fruits of my labor. I was confident that she would go to the back of the Tear and (to her surprise) be able to raise the hatch with a flick or her delicate hand...

Not to be....

In the course of a day...one of the gas lifts failed...and the other ain't enough...

Question...who has a reliable supplier of gas lifts that have stood the test of time??? These were from Austin Hardware before they changed there website and pricing structure????

[steve wolverton]

Did you order the multiple use hatches, or the one-time use version?

[Micro469]

How COLD is your garage??????

I have two 120# on mine and in this weather it won't hold up my lid. Have the same thing with my Jeep's hood struts...works fine in summer, fails when it gets real cold out.......

[Nitetimes]

Not to be....

In the course of a day...one of the gas lifts failed...and the other ain't enough...

You did say you were an engineer right?? You were expecting what exactly???




Sorry Dave, just had to do it. That just sucks.

[Mary K]

Yeah, like John said, Colder weather makes them weaker...I guess. I bonked my noggen on a cold morning opening the hatch. But after holding it up for a few seconds they started holding.

[Todah Tear]

Did you order the multiple use hatches, or the one-time use version?

Now, that's just out-right meddlin'

Todah

[Juneaudave]

Lotta help you guys are....I'm just going to ignore all this!!!

[Mary K]

Serious Questions should be asked between 9-5 Mon- Fri....other wise you are asking for trouble.....Who am I kidding....Your asking for it no matter what time around here.

Peanut Gallery Manager.

[Nitetimes]

Lotta help you guys are....I'm just going to ignore all this!!!

Glad we could be of assistance!!

[halfdome, Danny]

Dave, I buy the 120# ones from Austin and while in the garage the hatch is open about 80% of the time without any problems. TD #1 was sitting open for 2 years.
Granted it only gets down to around 40 degrees in my garage. I'd send it back for a replacement. Danny

[Nitetimes]

Did you check with any of the local auto parts there and see if they could get you any in?? Might be cheaper than shipping to and from Austin. The ones off the hatch on an Explorer might do, they're pretty hefty.

[Juneaudave]

Did you check with any of the local auto parts there and see if they could get you any in?? Might be cheaper than shipping to and from Austin. The ones off the hatch on an Explorer might do, they're pretty hefty.

That's the next step...at least I have the size and lift!!! The whole thing about this was that I did fret and figure and shop for the best deal for gas lifts...and one crapped out on the first day!!!

Thanks for putting up with my rant!!!...Juneaudave

[Classic Finn]

Lotta help you guys are....I'm just going to ignore all this!!!

Slap a couple of 450 or 500 newtons on there Dave and it will hold.

How many newtons are them? Dont look like enough to me..

Also the posotioning could be off.. even though you mentiond someone being an engineer?

[Classic Finn]

Ive got 500 newtons = 112.404472 pounds force on mine and it holds very well. Dang do you need to move the positioning?

Or it could be you need more newtons than that. How much does the hatch weigh Dave?

Classic Finn

[Classic Finn]

Im really thinking that your hatch weighs a bit more than mine. And stronger ones would do it.

I remember fighting with the ones on mine and I have a collection of them here at home now. Here,s some photos Dave.

You may even go for 550,s for safety. Garsh I wouldnt want to have that hatch come down in a wind.

550 newtons = 123.644919 pounds force








Classic Finn