Gas support strut/spring (for bay doors)

[AndyG]

Some of the support struts on my bay doors are not holding them up any more.  They are 17" long with 60lb of force.  Where do I find a good deal on these?  I'm also open to a mechanical prop in place of the gas spring.

[scanzel]

What bus do you have ? I bought 10 off a site on Ebay.

[AndyG]

What bus do you have ? I bought 10 off a site on Ebay.

Steve, its not on a bus.  They are for my Freightliner/NRC toterhome.  I came to the bus board because this is where the knowledge is.  I'll do some checking on Ebay.  Thanks.

[Lin]

If the old ones had worked when they were newer, you can replace them with equals.  Do not get more powerful ones.  I did that once and they began to cause other problems.  If you search online, you will find gas strut dealers.  If you call some, you will find a seller that can duplicate the specs you want.

[B_K]

Hey Andy!
Might also try your local NAPA dealer although most definitely higher priced than Ebay usually. My NAPA dealer has been most helpfull at finding us just the right strut when needed.
  BK 

PS tell mom & dad hi for me! 

[AndyG]

The original units are 60lb rating.  It seems high for doors which are pretty light weight but I googled the part# on the shock to make sure.  I don't think that I will try to go a higher rating.  I've always hated these stupid gas struts.  They never seem to last long and always give out at very bad times. 

[bigred]

Some of the support struts on my bay doors are not holding them up any more.  They are 17" long with 60lb of force.  Where do I find a good deal on these?  I'm also open to a mechanical prop in place of the gas spring.

Here is you a number for Renegade Distributors .They sell Columbia struts I bought 10 from these folks for under a hundred dollars 253-370-5901. Good People!!!

[Lin]

Okay, if you a cheap way to do away with gas struts, this is what we did about 7 years ago and has been working fine.  You just need one strut. We used a piece of conduit and turned in the edge on the top a bit.  You really do not want it to slip, so make sure it holds securely.

NOTE: This was an old strut that no longer would hold the door up

[bigred]

The original units are 60lb rating.  It seems high for doors which are pretty light weight but I googled the part# on the shock to make sure.  I don't think that I will try to go a higher rating.  I've always hated these stupid gas struts.  They never seem to last long and always give out at very bad times. 

Temperamental as the Dickins too!!! Stay up fine when the weather is warm ,not to save your life if the weather is cold!!!!

[AndyG]

Okay, if you a cheap way to do away with gas struts, this is what we did about 7 years ago and has been working fine.  You just need one strut. We used a piece of conduit and turned in the edge on the top a bit.  You really do not want it to slip, so make sure it holds securely.

NOTE: This was an old strut that no longer would hold the door up

Lin, I should have thought of that.   This is the way the hood prop works on a Toyota forklift.  Thanks.
Bigred, you are right about the temperature.  I have these on 2 cars and it stinks when the trunk won't stay open in the winter.  I miss the old spring hinges which did not have leaky seals and were not affected by weather. I'll check out the link to posted also.

[Lin]

"This is the way the hood prop works on a Toyota forklift."

You mean I can't patent it? Bummer!!