Clamshell Gas Strut Specs
- Thread starter Xcentric
- Start date
Beach-GT
GT Owner
I went to my local Ford dealer and gave them my VIN. They sold me NOS factory gas struts; front and rear. I installed them last week. They work perfectly. Boring, I know but an easy solution.
Hood struts shipped from Michigan
Clamshell struts shipped from Tennessee.
Hood struts shipped from Michigan
Clamshell struts shipped from Tennessee.
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Beach-GT
GT Owner
MTV8
GT Owner
The photo shows the Ford part number and below that the manufacturer (Suspa) nomenclature.
"540N" is the extension force. 540 newtons/120 lbs.
"47/10" is the manufacture date. In this case week 47 of 2010.
I installed these in 2012 and they were marginally okay for five years.
Howard did some research too. He measured compression force of two new non-OEM struts at 90 lbs each, and two original OEM struts at 90 lbs and 70 lbs. Compression force is typically about 10% greater than extension force. In other words, all four are substantially weaker than spec.
An engineer also told him "They do lose 2-3% of their output force per year, as do all springs. If you’re getting old springs, they’re going to be weaker than they were when they were new."
Much ado about nothing? Not if you've seen the clamshell blown shut by a gust of wind. Picture that at a car show with a spectator leaning over the engine.
"540N" is the extension force. 540 newtons/120 lbs.
"47/10" is the manufacture date. In this case week 47 of 2010.
I installed these in 2012 and they were marginally okay for five years.
Howard did some research too. He measured compression force of two new non-OEM struts at 90 lbs each, and two original OEM struts at 90 lbs and 70 lbs. Compression force is typically about 10% greater than extension force. In other words, all four are substantially weaker than spec.
An engineer also told him "They do lose 2-3% of their output force per year, as do all springs. If you’re getting old springs, they’re going to be weaker than they were when they were new."
Much ado about nothing? Not if you've seen the clamshell blown shut by a gust of wind. Picture that at a car show with a spectator leaning over the engine.
Any chance they will make a new batch in the near future?
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Howard
GT Owner
My FORD struts (recently replaced) had a Suspa build date of 12/06 so they must have been installed shortly after my 2006 FGT was delivered to its original owner (I bet there's a story there). These Ford GT Suspa struts are manufactured in Germany (not all Suspa struts are) and are very expensive in small quantities. The FORD pricing is very reasonable, as is the non-Suspa part offered by some sponsors here. You can check the build date on the Suspa strut but not on the non-OEM replacement.
Howard
Howard
My search for aftermarket clamshell struts that are stronger than OEM was a failure. I found one that was stronger (150 lbs), but 1/2" longer. It would not fit. The extra length was a no go and the connectors were different and non-interchangeable.
After having the clamshell blow shut in a light breeze, I rolled the dice with OEM Ford parts. Ordered from Tasca Ford, delivery took two months, but I was pleasantly surprised to see a mfg date of 35/16. Fairly fresh!
What a difference. I can pull the clamshell almost closed and it springs open. See for yourself.
[video=youtube;6oICdjxxaA4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oICdjxxaA4[/video]
My conclusion is that, as with tires, freshness matters. Gas struts will lose pressure over time just sitting on the shelf. The two other sets I bought in the past six years were not nearly as strong.
$68.64 shipped.
After having the clamshell blow shut in a light breeze, I rolled the dice with OEM Ford parts. Ordered from Tasca Ford, delivery took two months, but I was pleasantly surprised to see a mfg date of 35/16. Fairly fresh!
What a difference. I can pull the clamshell almost closed and it springs open. See for yourself.
[video=youtube;6oICdjxxaA4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oICdjxxaA4[/video]
My conclusion is that, as with tires, freshness matters. Gas struts will lose pressure over time just sitting on the shelf. The two other sets I bought in the past six years were not nearly as strong.
$68.64 shipped.
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Sinovac
GT Owner
That’s good advice. I’ve had two new sets delivered that were leaking in the package from old age. They should have included miniature Depends.
The Grey Ghost
GT Owner
On windy days I attach something similar to these as a precaution.
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/OTC4706
AJB
GT
concern - won't the clamp, when tightened down on the piston rod, cause a 'nick' or deformation or 'burr' to the rod,
Then when the rod travels into the body of the strut, the 'nick ' will cut the gas pressure seal and cause the unit to loose all of its pressure??
Or am I missing something..?
andy (ajb)
Then when the rod travels into the body of the strut, the 'nick ' will cut the gas pressure seal and cause the unit to loose all of its pressure??
Or am I missing something..?
andy (ajb)
I looked at several like this online. A few types said that the clamp is aluminum and the bolt is brass, which allegedly won't score the strut rod.
https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-44870-Gold-Support-Clamp/dp/B0002SRCYM
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AJB
GT
TO AWSUM
Ford GT Owner
It may not scratch, but it definitely will deform the strut if the owner gets slightly aggressive tightening it. Also I don't believe their story about the sharp end of those screw threads not scoring the strut. This "Hood Prop Rod" would be much safer.
https://47057315.r.bat.bing.com/?ld...54356&utm_content=IDEA%20-%20Misc%20Equipment