Gas Strut Liftgate Compression Prior to Installation

[@InventorsCave-wh7sf]

Great Idea I compressed my damper by standing it upright on my drill pres with one end in a hole in a board and the other in the drill chuck wide open. This allows you to press the cylinder down and hold it there with the column lock. Allows you to measure the dist before setting the wires.

[@MartyMitchell92660]

I like your way too! I have a full height drill press, should have tried it that way. Not real critical what distance you wire up the struts, as long as they're shorter than full length. Thanks for sharing your idea!

[@CryptidWalks]

Needed this for RV awning struts, great tip. Thanks

[@sevance1]

GREAT idea with the hose clamp!

[@samueladkins5009]

Marty, thanks for helping me resolve my issue. My trunk gas strut was about 1/2 inch too long to install. Was able to compress as you showed to complete installation in 2008 Cadillac XLR. I had to start at small end of shock. Clamps would slip on small end.

[@MartyMitchell92660]

Hi Samuel, glad you got them compressed. Good tip for others with slipping clamps.

[@bmwbaker]

First one that will,work for me. Thanks.

[@MartyMitchell92660]

Glad to hear it worked!

[@bogdanbutnaru1612]

another good question would be why the car manufacturer didnt think of this to allow for some slack... the trunk lid on my car will NOT move an extra 2-3 mm to allow for the shock to go in... thats all the space i need... but no...

[@drzwithcrow6075]

Thanks heaps - had no idea where to start

[@roberttaylor5880]

Brilliant tip

[@MartyMitchell92660]

Thank you Robert.

[@GregLGilliom]

Looks like great plan. I had same problem with lift on a Jeep Grand Cherokee. I'm out to try it now.

[@MartyMitchell92660]

I hope it works. Let us know what worked best for you.

[@bogdanbutnaru1612]

do you have the pipe clamp ?

[@bogdanbutnaru1612]

what i dont get is how come none of these manufacturers thought about creating two strong hooks - one at each end, for exactly the purpose of compressing these shocks

[@StallionFernando]

How would hooks help?

[@bogdanbutnaru1612]

@@StallionFernando u can compress, then use wire to hold, then install, then cut wire

[@StallionFernando]

@@bogdanbutnaru1612 oh I see, I was able to put mine on without needing to compress them, thankfully my trunk opened far enough to put the strut in.

[@ehiola]

Thanks for the instruction. My question sounds dumb but I’ll ask anyway, once you have adjusted it to the length that you need and install it would it stay in that length? Or would it go back to its original length once the wires are removed?

[@MartyMitchell92660]

Once the wires are removed, it will extend out until the lift-gate is open to its highest position. Purpose of the wires is just for ease of installation.

[@bogdanbutnaru1612]

a 5 minute job which now will extend over a period of a few days... out hunting a pipe clamp...

[@BobWa43]

If you scar the cylinder shaft with the hose clamps it will lead to early failure of the strut.

[@MartyMitchell92660]

You are correct, that why I installed the clamps on the unused portion of the shaft.

[@GregLGilliom]

couple notes. Use real fencing wire, not soft black iron wire. My wire broke at the twist points.

[@MartyMitchell92660]

Good point. Thanks!

[@bogdanbutnaru1612]

nice head shot - thanks

[@MartyMitchell92660]

Sorry but couldn't find a better place to mount the camera :(

[@JohnDowFirst]

Impressive view of back of your head.

[@MartyMitchell92660]

John Dow Thanks! Not the best at setting up cameras as I mentioned.