Do Gas Struts lose their pressure?

[gjkrv8]

Quick question.

I have gas struts on my CR for the front bonnet and rear boot lids.

Yesterday whilst working on the Cobra my bonnet fell down when I had it jacked up - thankfully the back of my head peering into the engine bay broke its fall (ouch).

I havent had this happen before. The struts are about 4 years old.

Do they lose their pressure over time? This quickly though?

thanks

Rgds

Gregg (lucky I have a hard head and the bonnet is light)

[Rob. Smith]

Gas struts should be mounted with the 'skinny bit' (shaft) pointing down (even when closed). This keeps the oil on the seal which prevents the gas leaking out. Regassing is done by putting the whole strut into a pressure chamber { sealed pipe} and pressurising that to the required value...the gas then forces its way past the seals in the strut and the job is done.
I forgot to add...if they are really high pressure. High temps might cause the strut to vent past the seals.

[gjkrv8]

bugger - I just checked - mine are upside down. Thanks for the tip Rob.

[AC-460]

Just throw them away.... there not worth repairing .....their not expensive

[jcraigau]

Hey Gregg,

Answer is yes they do loose pressure over time. My Commodore bonnet shows the scars from my mechanic leaving a socket on the radiator when mine collapsed. A lovely dent pushing up through the bonnet.

--JC

[Jaydee]

I had a Commodore bonnet fall on me while the engine was running, while I was reaching at the back of the engine. I was trapped, the catch hook digs into my back, I had no leverage to lift it up. Lucky someone lifted it of me. Then the customer tells me, yer, I knew it does that. I felt like jamming his head under it.
They are worse when it's cold, less pressure.
JD

[gjkrv8]

Thanks everyone for the tips. At least I have the markings on them to work out what to replace them with. My head is a bit sorer 2nd day after getting wacked. Thankfully these fibreglass bonnets are not too heavy. I was lucky the bonnet catch didnt get me as that would have done some damage. cheers Gregg

P.S. Jamie - I am coming over to Perth office today and tomorrow - we can share Cobra stories. :-)

[gjkrv8]

Well I ordered and recevied my new struts today from Struts Australia (great customer service by the way).

The strut I had mounted upside down had virtually no pressure left in it.

Replaced them both for consistency sake.

No more worrying about the bonnet trying to decapitate me now.

Cheers Gregg

[Jaydee]

Just today I had a Falcon bonnet drop on my arm.%##^$$&^$
Can't beat a bonnet stay like the ones finish line sell.
JD