Brimis

The rear hatch struts on my 84 were operable until the cold weather set in. When I pop the hatch it would open half way and then I would open it fully by hand. Now, I pop the hatch and it just opens and I must hold it by hand or it will close, fast!

Can cold weather cause the strut not to work properly or do they need to be replaced?


[Modified by Brimis, 7:49 PM 1/21/2004]

ErnieN85

There bad. the cold make the gas expand less and there isn't enough pressure to open it when they are good they open fine in cold weather. (mine are bad too). I've been watching it get worse for a few years now, mine are not quite as bad as yours but I know it's time

RichD1986

Time for new struts! The best $60 I spent at Pep Boys was for new struts to replace the originals from 1986. The new ones work great in all cold or hot weather. It was also the easiest swapout I've ever done - 10 minutes, tops for both. :thumbs:

BIG K

RichD1986, do you know the part number/manifacture? I don't have a Pep boys in town. Looking for them from some else.
Thanks

Red90Coupe

Picked mine up at Oreilly's. I think the part # was 95199 for about 30.00 each. It's sure nice having them work properly again

Aggravated4life

My local auutozone had them and they were fairly cheap when i got them.
Be sure the old struts didnt leak oil out of them onto your carpets back there or the plastic sill on the side.
I had a New strut go bad on me(I got it from a Corvette shop,dont remember the brand) and it leaked fluid out.I was :mad

But anyway,I got the "mighty lift" brand from Autozone and theyve been fine for a few years now.
:)

fullboogie

Same here, mine started getting real "slow" when cold weather set in. I put some grease on the shafts a few months ago, and now they work like new. Temporary fix, probably, but it works.