Ok, to start off I have done a search and couldn't find anything on this subject. My rear hatch shock struts are pretty much shot. They barely hold the hatch up and when I try to pop the hatch it opens just barely enough to stick my fingers in and then I have to press the button again and lift to open it. I have noticed that new Z's open a good 4 inches and you only have to press it once. Well anyway I need new ones, the only problem is they are $112 each. Which seems really high. None of the local auto parts sell cheaper replacement parts and I can't find it anywhere online.

Anyone know where I can get them for less the $112 a peice???

 

did you check the marketplace??

 

I was just looking for the same....I'd love to find a non OE replacement.

 

http://www.z1auto.com/prodmore.asp?m...or&prodid=2976

These are the only ones I know of. I recently put on a wing and am ordering these soon, I've heard good things about them.

 

Great news, dude! Even if you get new struts, they'll fail
again--same OEM crapola!. My wife noticed the problem, &
pulled a rubber-tipped umbrella from her P'finder, & voila!
Problem solved!!! Just prop it open with the umbrella! Cost? About $11 buckaroos! Ain't THAT s-w-e-e-t???!!!

 

This is a common problem, you can spend to much $$$$ for the struts from TEIN, they too will fail. Good luck

 

i bought these super stronger shock from a vendor on the forum awhile back. stocks ones were so weak, the hatch holding my big ol veilside 1 wing would bonk me in the head, so I had to hold the trunk up with my head. the new ones worked like a champ.. can't remember who, though.

 

These look good. Well at least the price does. Anyone ever tried these?

And I figured its a common problem it is just a royal pain in the a$$ to open the hatch when I can barely get my fingers in to even open. Not to mention the scratches that have been caused because of it.

 

You can get gas springs from McMaster that will work. I just installed a pair of 4138T587 and they work almost too well. They were only $21 each (+$4.50 shipping for me). I figure if they last 3 years, I'm ahead. These were pretty much the only ones McMaster carries that'll work. They carry some stainless steel ones for about $60, but they top out at 90lbs, which isn't quite enough.

However, you get to carefully saw the four ball joints to get the ***** out of the stock lifters. The good news is you only have to do that once. I can now pop on replacements without touching a wrench or a saw.

What you want from anywhere is somewhere around 120 pounds of force, 20" extended, with at least a 6-1/2" stroke, and a 10mm ball.

Asterix

 

I've got the hatch struts from Z1, they work great, well worth the money. I replaced my factory struts with these and you can definately tell a difference. These will hold any type of spoiler you can imagine.

 

yep the OEM ones are super expensive. The ones we carry are significantly stronger than stock, are all stainless and includes all new hardware

https://my350z.com/forum/body-exterior/327800-the-cure-for-droopage.html

 

Why are struts so expensive!?

Two of these simple things should not cost $150. Grr

 

2 full stainless steel struts, plus all new factory Nissan hardware that are significantly stronger than stock

If you think $150 is alot, the stock ones from Nissan are over $220 a pair, and don't include any hardware IIRC

 

JTABRAHAM was selling upgraded struts. I've had then on for a year now; they hold up my winged hatch nicely.

 

yep...we're the official dealer for him

 

I have the same problem, but it didn't start happening till i got my Nismo Spoiler installed. Linked? I thought so, but if you guys are having hte same problem, then my *** is going back to dealership, cuz they installed it.

 

 

great idea! thank you for being smart!

 

What you could do is remove the hatch weight which is a 1kg slab of metal.. It's there to make closing the boot easier, but if your struts are weak you might not need it.

Its quite easy to remove but requires a bit of strength. Get your fingers under the hatch plastic trim and just pull! All the plastic rivets pop out eventually and you just need a 10mm spanner to remove the weight..

Will make the car go a bit faster too..!

 

How many pounds of force are the stock struts good for? Originally there were two different strut sets -- 1 for no spoiler, and another set for the factory spoiler. Any ideas from anyone? I don't have a wing, but need to replace the stock struts and I think that 120 is going to be overkill for a nekkid hatch.

TIA all.