Boot / Trunk Gas Struts XKC 3893

Hasbeen · Postby **Hasbeen** » 09 Sep 2012 01:08

They don't actually wear out, they just loose a bit of their pre pumped pressure.

Because ours are so small, & our boot/trunk lid so heavy, ours are pumped up to double the pressure of most used on other vehicles. The bloke who pumps mine up takes them to 3500 PSI, much higher than any others he does.

In the Brisbane area of Oz we have 5 little companies offering a mobile recharging service. It is a very simple process. Mine last about 5 years between recharging efforts, & are still going strong.

I don't know why the Scots, [or the Dutch] ever got the reputation for being mean. [}:)] From what I see here, we Ozzies are more inclined to patch up the old bit, & use it, than any one else.

Hasbeen

Hasbeen · Postby **Hasbeen** » 09 Sep 2012 12:52

I think it is now legal for cars of our cars vintage to remain left hand drive here. I know some old Mustangs are no longer being converted.

Hasbeen

FI Spyder · Postby **FI Spyder** » 09 Sep 2012 14:40

Driving here with RH drive is legal although you hear rumblings from time to time when some bureaucrat wakes up from his snooze at his desk as starts shuffling papers. The reason you Ozzies fix things is it's costly to ship parts to the "island" plus protective duties I suspect. We can get recharged struts in Vancouver (it's an expat Kiwi by the way that sells new or recharge) although my struts from VB are still going strong after 5 years.

- - -TR7 Spider - - - 1978 Spitfire- - - - 1976 Spitfire - - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra - Yellow TCT

nytebyte · Postby **nytebyte** » 09 Sep 2012 19:08

I guess I thought the one for the trunk would be like the one for the hood. Problem is I dont have the little brackets that the lifts would attach to either. Any Ideas where I might find them as there catologue doesnt list that as available, only the bolts for it? Thanks, Jim.

jclay (RIP 2018) · Postby **jclay (RIP 2018)** » 09 Sep 2012 20:08

Jim,

The early cars come with the kind of boot lid brace you are talking about. Some 1980 cars had the attachment point on the boot edge. ALL the boot lids have the two holes for the brace.

If you get as far into the boot as you can you can look up at the hinges and see the gas shocks attached to the hinge and going forward to the body. If you do put the boot brace on like the original cars, never let an owner of a new TR shut the boot or you will have a nice little crease in the boot lid.

P.S. The MGB uses the same brace.

Clay

nytebyte · Postby **nytebyte** » 09 Sep 2012 23:29

Thanks for the pics. At least now I know what I am looking for! The top bracket for it is what I need and it looks as if I could make one if nothing else. The brace looks like I can order if I cant find one Apprecite the help. Jim

FI Spyder · Postby **FI Spyder** » 09 Sep 2012 23:50

If you do put the boot brace on like the original cars, never let an owner of a new TR shut the boot or you will have a nice little crease in the boot lid.

Happened to our treasurer and he was used to it.[:0]

Been looking to change to struts ever since.[:(]

- - -TR7 Spider - - - 1978 Spitfire- - - - 1976 Spitfire - - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra - Yellow TCT

mb4tim · Postby **mb4tim** » 10 Sep 2012 12:10

Thanks for the pics. At least now I know what I am looking for! The top bracket for it is what I need and it looks as if I could make one if nothing else. The brace looks like I can order if I cant find one Apprecite the help. Jim

McMaster-Carr has all much of gas strut hardware you'd need.

-Tim

nytebyte · Postby **nytebyte** » 12 Sep 2012 02:17

The catalog shows the sliding trunk support lift to fit a 75 to 78 but mine looks like it should be the same as yours jclay? Are them years of TRs the same? Mine only has the holes for the brace on the left side of the trunk lid and the only place to attach the bottom is like yours by the radio antena on the laft side also. If you all think it would work I will go ahead and order it and I think I can make the brace for it by looking at you pic. Question is would the 78 part work on a 80 model? Thanks again

bmcecosse · Postby **bmcecosse** » 12 Sep 2012 09:29

Are you SURE the original struts are not there????

nytebyte · Postby **nytebyte** » 12 Sep 2012 11:34

Yes-nothing there to hold it open. The bolt holes are on one side only of the trunk lid so it looks like it only had the lift on the one side.

mariusl · Postby **mariusl** » 12 Sep 2012 12:00

The holes for the struds are on the hinges not on the trunk lid?

Mariusl

nytebyte · Postby **nytebyte** » 12 Sep 2012 13:27

No, they are on the trunk lid.

Hasbeen · Postby **Hasbeen** » 12 Sep 2012 14:12

People are still getting mixed up with the compression struts, & the sliding prop, similar to the bonnet prop.

Do be careful how you mount a prop to the boot rain gutter. My spares car has has a prop, still attached to the boot lid. It still has the rusty bit of the boot rain gutter hanging off the end of it too.

A poor attachment system caused the rain gutter to rust out, & fall off. Any system that holds moisture in the gutter will destroy in in time.

Hasbeen

paulheritage · Postby **paulheritage** » 25 Jul 2014 23:43

Was having a conversation last weekend about the gas struts for later car boots (trunks) and thought I'd dig out my original.

They were (are) made by Stabilus and are Lift-o-Mat. The packaging also mentions Sachs Boge UK Ltd. with part number 082392.

Stabilus are still going and offer bespoke items so assume UK suppliers still use them and seem to be around Â16 + VAT.

There's a number of additional info on the strut but hard to read, but looks like 350n power.

Cheers Paul,

1976 TR7 2.0 FHC, ACG 2367 - Carmine Red (on the road)
1980 TR7V8 3.9 DHC, Orient Blue (on the road)
1977 TR7V8 4.0 FHC rally car, ACG 35005 - Tahiti Blue (complete, no MOT)
1976 TR7 2.0 FHC, ACG 3115 - Java Green (now sold)

Anonymous