Technical Hood Gas Struts

Currently reading:
Technical Hood Gas Struts

Joined
Dec 5, 2006
Messages
5,932
Points
1,494
Location
Wrexham, North Wales
Well I've been doing a little research and want to know if anybody has tried fitting more powerful gas struts to the hood lift mechanism?

Both me and wifey have bad backs and ideally would like next to zero lift effort. We never use the fitted tie-down-straps as the hood when open is never positively lifted by the struts.

Regarding the research I've been talking to Stabilus here in the UK who make the original Lift-O-Mat gas struts for the Barchetta.

Fiat P/N: 46734809
Stabilus P/N: 2802CS

Tech. Details:

Force: 250 Newtons
Body Length: 138mm
Body Diameter: 18mm
Extended Lenght: 240mm
Stroke: 80mm
Push Rod Diameer: 8mm
Ball Ends: 6mm

Now for the very puzzling part.

The standard Stabilus range for a similar part has and extended lenght of 235.5mm, 80mm stroke but uses a 6mm diameter rod with 6mm ball ends and a gas body diameter of 15.6mm. These units are rated up to 400N force.

The standard fitment for 8mm diameter rods is not the 6mm ends fitted to the Fiat Barchetta part. Also with 8mm rods they are rated to well over 400N force.

So the question is why Fiat specified the design they did. The Fiat part was custom made for Fiat but it would appear that there is some odd design requests going on. e.g. the 8mm diam. rod is well over rated for the force required but then lower rated 6mm ball ends have been fitted/requested.

If anybody has one of these gas struts removed from the car then I would appreciate some actual mechanical/size measurements of the strut.

Meanwhile I need measure all the "angles of dangles", lengths etc. of the strut inactual use.

I'm hoping to be able to find and fit uprated struts that almost make the hood self rise from an open position.



The original Fiat Part Numv
 
I have just replaced my struts and have the old ones in the garage if you need any measurements. Just let me know exactly which bits need measuring.


I replaced my struts with the struts from a Mazda RX8 boot as recommended by Hp. These are 305N but require a washer to be added to give extra length.

barchettaparts.com sell a replacement strut too which they claim will enable you to close the soft top with your finger.
 
I'm sure the balljoints are 10mm diameter on mine.

The RX-8 boot struts are 305N against the standard Barchetta 250N units, so they give greater assistance. However they are around 4mm too short at full extension, so you do need to unscrew the plastic caps and put a washer underneath each before refitting. Putting a washer in doesn't affect the strength of the end caps on their threads as the strut is always under compression, never being pulled under tension.

I got my struts second hand from Ebay for a fiver plus P&P, been on a few months and work perfectly.
 
Pop one end of the strut off the hood mechanism and measure up. There's always the possibility Fiat changed the spec through the years. Do be careful and remove it at near full extension though as there's some force in there.

My balls are 10mm, if you'll excuse the expression.
 
Hi,
I've just fitted a pair of gas struts from Henk they're magic can lift the hood with one hand.
icon7.gif
Not cheap but they are brilliant and well worth the money. They are Stabilus same as the originals.

Peter
 
Hi Guys
New to this forum but not to my Barchetta. I have to say I'm rather embarassed that I didn't realise these struts exisited until I read this thread. I have checked mine out and discovered they are completely shot (and dated 1996) which probably explains the reason the roof is so darn heavy!

I am going to try a set of the Mazda RX8 one tomorrow and will check with a local stockist for Stabillus to try to find a UK supply for the ones that henk supplies. These really shouldn't cost more than 25.00 each here in the UK new.

If anyone has the model number of the stabillus ones that Henk supplies can you post it here and I will try to find a local supplier?

BTW my car (1997) also has 10mm balls on each end, body length is only 120mm which is different from what s130 posted. Overall length is the same. It is a lift-o-matic by stabillus marked B418 on it, 250nm, 2802CS

BR
 
So, am I right in thinking that RX-8 struts are the best way to go? I really don’t mind about how much assistance you get (my current ones are totally shot, 1996, and doesn’t really bother me), but am replacing the roof, so just after something cheap as I figure I may as well replace them.

Any other suggestions? these seem cheaper than the RX-8 ones on ebay: http://alfa-romeo-ersatzteile.de/sh...---Mat.html/XTCsid/671m79ajaef0fojr9kj8nf2to7

thoughts? :)

David
 
ha ha ha,,,oh yeah,,,,been a while since I used the site that way,,,,cheers !(y)
 
I remember a while back someone posting up a thread with a link to some shocks being obtained very cheap with a greater force than the standard shocks now.

Cant remember who though and cant seem to to find it now.

ANYONE?
 
Back
Top