Re: [DML] Heated Door Struts?

[Martin Gutkowski <webmaster@xxxx>]

Hi Christian,

When I got my car, all six struts were shot, so I got a set from PJ Grady. As you may be
aware, the original struts were effectively just springs. The replacements from Rob (and
I believe every other service facility) have a "brake" in the last inch of travel meaning
that the door is slowed down. This means you can feel free to torque up the torsion bar
such that the door opens in cold weather, and not worry about it flying off its hinges in
the summer :-)

It was our first torsion bar experience (quite comical at the time), and my drivers' door
still doesn't go up properly, but the passenger door is perfect. Strangely, one notch on
the bar made the difference between a real half-assed attempt at opening, and a very
keen, rapid movement. It was about 5 degrees C that day.

Best Wishes

Martin
#1458

Christian Williams wrote:

> I was thinking the other day about door launchers and cold weather. Even
> here in California, the door launchers would only be effective during the
> warm months (unless you adjust your tortion bars with the changing
> seasons), and in the cold months, the doors would half-open.
>
> I know nothing about gas struts, but would it be possible to create either
> an internal or an external temp control for them? Either some sort of heat
> coil inside the strut or a heat pad sleve that you could slide around the
> outside of the strut?
>
> -Christian 3452