[DML] Re: Door Strut Posts

["Dave Swingle" <swingle@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

There are differences in philosphy in how the struts are 
manufactured. I recall a discussion that I had with Rob a few years 
ago where he noted that the ones he sells are admittedly a 
bit "softer" than some of the others, he felt that this was the way 
to go to avoid putting extra stress on the lower ball stud that's 
attached to the fiberglass. (I believe his contention was that his 
were correct and the other were overcharged, but that's another 
discussion). I've been using his for several years with no issue, 4-5 
years seems to be about the lifespan. 

I still occasionally run into cars (the SC project car I'm working on 
comes to mind) that have the original 1981 date-code Lift-O-Mat (now 
Stabilus) struts in them. The doors on this particular car would rest 
at about half-mast, even with 23-year-old struts. I replaced them 
with used Grady struts that were about a year old (thanks Tony!) and 
did not have to adjust the torsion bar at all.  

So - if you stick with the same brand and don't screw with the doors 
in between strut replacement, you should be fine. Anything like this 
is a tradeoff, if you have softer struts you have to tighten up the 
torsion bar an extra notch, which can lead to other issues.  If you 
run the harder struts, you are putting more force on the ball studs 
than they may be designed for. So I guess you pick your poison.

Dave Swingle 



--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "sgskbm" <SGSKBM@xxxx> wrote:
> It has become apparent that there is a significant difference 
between 
> the door struts that the vendors offer. It seems to me that no one 
> seems to have a clear preference on the trunk or engine cover 
> struts.  I find it surprising that there is such a vast difference 
on 
> the door struts but the others are seemingly similar.
> 
> That being said, it seems like PJ Grady's offering seems to have a 
> significantly higher amount of reports of the same symptoms that I 
> have experienced.  Specifically, they do not seem to open the doors 
> all of the way.  
> 
> Since new, mine were weak and needed to be assisted but now they 
> won't even go up half way.  I recognize that three years is a 
> lifetime and even though I probably opened them less than 75 times 
on 
> the driver side and 20 times on the passenger side they have 
reached 
> their intended life span.
> 
> Given the confirmation of my findings it would appear that PJ 
Grady's 
> version would be best suited for someone with a tweaked torsion bar 
> or someone who wants the ultimate security of not damaging the 
door.  
> In my case, I now understand that there are differences and that it 
> might make sense to try a different vendor.
> 
> PJ Grady offers wonderful parts, service and advice to the 
community 
> and this situation with the door struts is certainly no reflection 
on 
> his organization.  It might be a good idea for him to look into his 
> offering and see if he could either change the spec or find a 
better 
> vendor.
> 
> Thanks to all that posted as it really did help me decide and also 
> confirm my thoughts on my struts.
> 
> Scot
> 6452






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