I ended up using a combination of three pop rivets (for positioning during curing) and epoxy glue (on both the vertical and horisontal mating surfaces) in order to get it being one with the water drain channel underside...
My gas boot struts were dead so I sourced 2 new ones from Victria British. I was taking a quick look this morning and I'm wondering yje best way to get to the forward mounting points. It sweems to disappear into the padding at the front of the trunk er boot! What is the best wat to get there? Is there access from behind the seats. Obviously I'm new to the TR7. Thanks!
Hi Tony - you should be able to get to the boot (trunk) strut fixing points from inside the boot. It is a bit fiddly but if I recall correctly there is a small R clip holding a pin that secures the strut. Just pull off the clip, & remove the pin to free the end of the strut - put a cloth down in the boot area as you will almost inevitably drop the clip or pin[:)]
Maybe you have got some extra non standard padding or trim in your boot - out of the factory there was no insulation or padding, just some basic trim made of a kind of thick card material at the sides, & the boot floor mat.
You won't be able to get at it from behind the seats, there is a metal bulkhead in the way!
Actually originally there is foam in behind the hardboard trim. My Spider has it. Remove the trim and foam to replace the gas struts. Quite easy to do.
TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra
Dead on. There is some foam padding in that area that you just yank out. Beware, it's brittle and probably dry rotted by now. I'd try to find an upholstery supply shop and get some more. It's cushion foam with a slit down the middle, if you really want to replace it. it only stops the flow of sound from the boot area.
Dooik care of it this afternoon. Thanks for the advice. The padding came out and went back in, no problem. Only thing unexpected is that both ends of both struts were secured by washers and a nyloc.
took care of it this afternoon. Thanks for the advice. The padding came out and went back in, no problem. Only thing unexpected is that both ends of both struts were secured by washers and a nyloc.
I've been propping the trunk lid open with a stick since I bought my TR8 last fall. I finally ordered a pair of gas struts from Victoria British. The new struts are so stiff I can't even compress them the half inch or so necessary to intall them. Any secrets or suggestions?
The replacement cylinders are from the same country (France?)but not the same exact cylinder. I used the new cylinders on industrial applications and no two cylinders were the same for pressure. I have TR8 coupes that had the luggage racks and they would either be so stiff they were annoying or just enough to hold the trunk lid up and eventually wear out. I went to using a TR7 slide prop to hold the trunk open. Cheaper and it will NEVER wear out. No more trunk falling on head or hands!
I did the same, after my two brand new struts went flat over just one winter hibernation. Didn't want that to happen again. The mechanical stay will never fail and let the lid fall...
The gas struts are working in a very (for them) unfriendly application in the Wedge with its very short throw and high load, especially if the boot rack is fitted. Ideally gasstruts should be mounted in a vertical position with the cylinder/piston seal in the lower end (when closed) and utilising a fairly long throw (like in a modern hatch back rear door). Then they usually give long troublefree service. Not so in this wedge's quickfix application/design...
Sometimes a good night's sleep is helpful. I woke up this morning and realized that with a longer stick to prop the lid open, I didn't neeed to compress the struts to install them. As for whether the struts will last, I guess time will tell. If they fail quickly, I guess I'll try the early-style prop. Thanks.
I was just gonna post.....prop the lid up as high as you can. Thats what I had to do. VicBrit's props seem to be made well. Ive used theirs on most of my wedges and have yet to see one fail.
I bought i pair of struts last year, german made, so you can quess they will last for a good while, i never had any probs putting them on in fact it took about 10 mins or so in all.
Steve 1979 BL Press Car Pre Production Prototype Inca Yellow DHC
