[beer100]

Movie link

By replacing the gas springs with stronger ones my hatch pops open reliably. The down side, it's not easy to close, with one hand.

The stock struts generate ~67lbs force each, the replacements generate 100 lbs. I tested the hatch with one of each installed. That would be 167 lbs lift. It was an improvment but not fully succesful. With the tail gate open it popped, but not when closed. After both were installed, 200 lbs lift, the hatch popped reliably even with the tailgate closed. I suspect two 90 lb struts would work.

The struts are also 7/8 inch longer when compressed. That makes the struts 5/8 inch too long for a simple replacment. I had to remove the pins from the hatch and replace them with new ones located farther back. The pins are riveted in place and have to be ground out. Mounting the new pins requires drilling an 11/32 inch hole 5/8 inch aft of the original pin location. The replacment pins simply bolt in.

I bought everything from McMaster-Carr

I used:
2 - Gas Struts 100lb P/N 9416K346
4 - End Caps P/N 9416K86
2 - 10mm Ball Studs P/N 9512K63
4 - 5/16 Washers
2 - 5/16-18UNC Aircraft Hex Nuts

P.S. Cost for the parts $30.22 not including shipping, or washers and nuts.

Edit: That is 11/32 not 11/16. BIG difference.

 

[wildcat66]

You have been busy, I like the way it opens.

 

[REBEL]

Well shared

I like people who take action and fix problems. Then to be modest and share with others. You’re my pick for this month’s “Fanatic's Favourite” :thumbs [Edit] *corrected spelling for US friends... "Favorite" [Edit]

 

[beer100]

Opening rate is quick but limited.

You have been busy, I like the way it opens.

These struts have some kind of max rate at which they extend. They accelerate only up to a set speed then finish opening at a constant rate.

 

[Flassh]

Nice job, Beer - thanks for the feedback and the detailed information.


Ray

 

[beer100]

I've been thinking...

This could work well with 80 lb struts if, the tail gate were to unlatch at the same time as the hatch. That would also help with the problem opening the gate when the bed is full.

 

[freezer]

I have found from frustrated experience that if there is any rearward load on the tailgate, it will not unlatch. If you have that problem, push all of the items loading the tailgate forward. Then the tailgte will open easily. These are standard latches and apparently they all work this way.

 

[dingbat]

I went to the web site with the gas springs and came up with a question. The part Beer mentioned shows the size and then it is available in several different pressures. Can we find the supplier of the original spring and see if there is an exact size replacement with 90-100 pounds of pressure? The drilling and remounting definitely doesn't seem that difficult but an exact replacement sure would be easier.


I found some stuff and have emailed for some more info. update to follow

 

[dingbat]

Update:
So far I have found out the factory gas spring is a part# 7932QF 0285N. The 0285N refers to the pressure rating of 64 pounds. What we need for 90 pounds is a 0400N version of the same spring.
I have found a supplier with a replacement the same size but only with a 78.5 pound rating. Cost around $22 each. Higher than Beer's price but no mods needed.
The original is "only available to the automotive market" according to the info I got. Does this mean only to GM or does it go to auto part stores too?
I think if someone can come up with a part# 7932QF 0400N it would be exactly what we need. I'm still looking.
I have a copy of the spec sheet for the factory spring if anyone would like one. PM me with email

 

[beer100]

Stabilus Part number.

Update:
So far I have found out the factory gas spring is a part# 7932QF 0285N. The 0285N refers to the pressure rating of 64 pounds. What we need for 90 pounds is a 0400N version of the same spring.
I have found a supplier with a replacement the same size but only with a 78.5 pound rating. Cost around $22 each. Higher than Beer's price but no mods needed.
The original is "only available to the automotive market" according to the info I got. Does this mean only to GM or does it go to auto part stores too?
I think if someone can come up with a part# 7932QF 0400N it would be exactly what we need. I'm still looking.
I have a copy of the spec sheet for the factory spring if anyone would like one. PM me with email

I spent some time trying to find a retailer of Stabilus struts. Gave up and went the McMaster route.

The Stabilus part we really want is the...

STABILUS LIFT-O-MAT
P/N 6153PC 400N (90lbs)

This is a standard part from their catalog (pdf) It should be available outside the OEM supply chains.

Apologies to you Dingbat for not posting that info earlier.

 

[beer100]

PLEASE REPLY BY GOING TO THIS LINK THEN POSTING.

Assuming that direct replacment gas springs of the 90lb strength can be sourced. I'd like to know how many would want them. My WAG is that the price would be north of $50 south of $100. Who will commit to buying them?

PLEASE REPLY BY GOING TO THIS LINK THEN POSTING.

 

[dingbat]

I spent some time trying to find a retailer of Stabilus struts. Gave up and went the McMaster route.

The Stabilus part we really want is the...

STABILUS LIFT-O-MAT
P/N 6153PC 400N (90lbs)

This is a standard part from their catalog (pdf) It should be available outside the OEM supply chains.

Apologies to you Dingbat for not posting that info earlier.

No apologies necessary. I don't know if I am following the same path you did, but I still have a few things I am checking on. I would definitely like to change mine out. I figure if more than one of us are looking someone might stumble upon a source. Maybe if GM is monitoring us they can give us a little help to solve a problem they should be working on.

 

[beer100]

No apologies necessary. I don't know if I am following the same path you did, but I still have a few things I am checking on. I would definitely like to change mine out. I figure if more than one of us are looking someone might stumble upon a source. Maybe if GM is monitoring us they can give us a little help to solve a problem they should be working on.

The root problem as reported by others, is three fold. The addition of the carpet to the bottom is harder to lift. With the tailgate open, mine generally lifted when unlatched. With the tailgate closed, the weather strip is solidly pinched and friction adds resistance to the opening. From what I've seen, build quality also plays a role. If the main body isn't built perfectly, some of the errors wind up making the seam between the hatch and tail gate smaller than it was designed to be. This pinches the weather strip even more tightly.

Mine, most of the time, lifted only enough to wiggle a finger into the corner. Then only reason it came up that far was because the locks physically push it up that far.

IMHO Stronger struts are not a solution that GM can get behind. The stronger struts make closing the cover... well it's noticabley harder. Some people will need to use both hands. If GM had made it that way initally, it would have drawn much criticism.

 

[dingbat]

I was at the dealer today talking with service manager. He agreed with our assessment and said if I could get a GM part number for the replacement spring He would replace it for me. He offered to try replacing with same ones to see if mine weren't strong enough, but we decided to see if GM part is available first. Anyone with some access that might have a GM crossreference to the heavier spring????? I know we have a Stabilus number but he needs a GM number.

He didn't think any sort of adjustment would help. My lid is perfectly aligned.

BTW the SSR at the dealership didn't pop up either and that one didn't have the carpet!!