[parad1mg]

Anybody here ever replaced their hatch struts with stronger ones? I've been putting on sound deadening and the hatch put on some weight that is enough to stop the hatch midpoint from fully opening. It opens all the way with a little assistance and holds up just fine but it would be nice if i can get it to raise up again without removing the sound deadening.

 

[parad1mg]

so far i have not found a single place or supplier that carries lift supports for my forester :shrug:

Is this one of those parts that only Subaru carries?

anybody replace theirs with an aftermarket one?

 

[parad1mg]

bumping this one up.. still looking for stronger hatch struts..

or if anybody out there can provide me the specs (lift strength) of the old/oem struts i'd really appreciate it :biggrin:

 

[2.5x_sleeper]

It's possible that yours have gotten weak. I just bought a set for our '03 X, which would open okay when the temperature was warm, but would stop half ways when the temperature was cooler. I got the set from Jackie, SubaruPartsGirl, a supporting vendor here on the forum. Her direct number at Annapolis Subaru is (866) 509-3019. A warning, they run nearly $100 a set! :icon_eek:

Bobby...

['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]

 

[Subaru2010]

Same problem

I Sound deadened trunk door on 2010. It opens but I often have to assist it those last 5 inches. Not super annoying. Never thought about replacing the struts though.

 

[TylerBeau]

It's most likely gonna be something that you'll just have to deal with. You could try replacing them with new OEM struts. But that'll run you about $100 I think.

 

[parad1mg]

i doubt that the struts are weak at this point. They opened the hatch rather quickly without the sound barrier.

I guess I'll just have to modify an aftermarket one to fit.

 

[Team Scream]

The OEM struts are made by Showa which is a huge suspension company in Japan.
As an example, all Honda motorcycles and a few others use Showa suspension.
You could potentially call Showa USA and give them the dimensions of the strut and see if they have anything with a higher rate.

 

[parad1mg]

Showa has Shock Absorbers, Steering Systems, Differential Gears, Propeller Shafts and Gas Springs under their automotive section and no info about their lift struts.

I'll check out the length of the strut when i get home. Iirc, it's just a regular ball and cup connector at the bottom and the top looks like a flat bracket.

 

[Lou Fishman]

Greetings: We are a supplier of lift supports for the aftermarket and have the following units that we have built proto types and would like to get some feedback on their performance. These are built with the same pressure and design as the OEM units. We will supply one set of each for free and ask that you let us know how they performed, you get to keep them afterward. Our preference is a to send these to someone who has installed supports before. Once we receive feedback we will go into production of these and become a vendor for this forum. Due to the forum rules we can not list our name or any identification information so please send your request to my e-mail address of [email protected]

Available test units all are for the rear hatch.
2005 to 2009 Legacy & Outback
2000 to 2002 Forester
2003 to 2005 Forester
1998 to 2001 Impreza

Thank You, Lou Fishman

 

[2.5x_sleeper]

You would not believe how strong those lift struts are! We changed the ones out on the '03 X, which can be viewed here & I couldn't push the shaft into the housing at all & that was on the weak ones that we replaced. I'd think if you went with anything stronger, they might rip off the mounting points. :icon_eek:

Bobby...

['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]

 

[parad1mg]

Greetings: We are a supplier of lift supports for the aftermarket and have the following units that we have built proto types and would like to get some feedback on their performance. These are built with the same pressure and design as the OEM units. We will supply one set of each for free and ask that you let us know how they performed, you get to keep them afterward. Our preference is a to send these to someone who has installed supports before. Once we receive feedback we will go into production of these and become a vendor for this forum. Due to the forum rules we can not list our name or any identification information so please send your request to my e-mail address of [email protected]

Available test units all are for the rear hatch.
2005 to 2009 Legacy & Outback
2000 to 2002 Forester
2003 to 2005 Forester
1998 to 2001 Impreza

Thank You, Lou Fishman

Allright Lou, sent you a PM about this. (assuming this isnt just spam.. )

You would not believe how strong those lift struts are! We changed the ones out on the '03 X, which can be viewed here & I couldn't push the shaft into the housing at all & that was on the weak ones that we replaced. I'd think if you went with anything stronger, they might rip off the mounting points. :icon_eek:

Bobby...

['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]

I know the oem struts are strong but they are not strong enough after adding 10 lbs of sound deadening to the hatch.

 

[thebeephaha]

Allright Lou, sent you a PM about this. (assuming this isnt just spam.. )

Let me know how this works out for you.