Gas shock for trunk

[OverHillAndDale]

The gas shock on my 2014 RT no longer is adequate to hold the trunk up. Two questions:

a) what size is the shock (so that I can pick one up at an automotive store and not pay 3 prices).
b) can I get to the area to replace the shock by removing the rear seat backrest?

Thanks in advance - you guys always come through.

[Madison Sully]

I just put one new one on an RT-S I bought used.
It was missing. Just, well, not there.

Ahem... Anyway, it's this one for the center rear trunk.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Madison Sully]

Oh, and to get to it:
Open the trunk.
There are two little Torx screws at the top lip, and another three larger Torx screws in the trunk itself that hold the seat back on.
Take off those 5 screws and Bob's your uncle.

[Bike-O-Din]

Some time ago on this site one of the posters suggested adding a second lift to the trunk. I did this, and the difference was amazing . The original lifter was getting weak, but i left it place and just added the new one. The bike has the holes and the setup is simple .. it is a wonder that it did not come this way stock. The lift piston can be ordered through Amazon and other places. The other parts come from the Can-Am dealer. The last item on the list is available from most good hardware stores, and the metric specialty nuts at Lowes.

Here is the info on the needed parts and typical prices.




This is the complete parts that are required to install a second gas shock for the rear trunk.


708300383 Gas Shock $59.99
708300384 Spacer $10.99 (for m6X30 bolt on top of shock)
250300039 Ball head stud $5.99 (For Bottom of shock)
233281414 hex Elastic Flanged Nut M6 $.72 (for ball head stud)
M6X30 Bolt and domed head nut approx $1.50


Total cost to do the job right 79.19 + S/H

[jaherbst]

NAPA

Jack

[Madison Sully]

Some time ago on this site one of the posters suggested adding a second lift to the trunk. I did this, and the difference was amazing . The original lifter was getting weak, but i left it place and just added the new one. The bike has the holes and the setup is simple .. it is a wonder that it did not come this way stock. The lift piston can be ordered through Amazon and other places. The other parts come from the Can-Am dealer. The last item on the list is available from most good hardware stores, and the metric specialty nuts at Lowes.

Here is the info on the needed parts and typical prices.




This is the complete parts that are required to install a second gas shock for the rear trunk.


708300383 Gas Shock $59.99
708300384 Spacer $10.99 (for m6X30 bolt on top of shock)
250300039 Ball head stud $5.99 (For Bottom of shock)
233281414 hex Elastic Flanged Nut M6 $.72 (for ball head stud)
M6X30 Bolt and domed head nut approx $1.50


Total cost to do the job right 79.19 + S/H

**shakes head a bit**

So, stock only comes with one lift then? And holes and whatnot to install a second one for, what, just in case????
Anyway, um, so the one I linked to is $45, plus 4 ball studs for $12 (are there other places where another lift could be...? No? OK).
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Then miscellaneous hardware bits for $2-3 at your local True Value or Lowes or Home Depot.

Anyway.... Seriously, they only put one in there at the factory??

Hey, by the way I have 3 ball studs in case anyone needs one.

[Bob Denman]

Finless added a spring to his setup. I think that he used one from an r/c car suspension.
PM him about it!

[teninospyder]

Somewhere on this site there is/was the idea of just opening up the back as required to get to the shock, remove it and just drill a new mounting hole at the lower mounting point, some distance up (I think I did 3/8" ??). Put piston back on and it works great . Search and you should find this. Hope this is clear.

[jcthorne]

**shakes head a bit**

So, stock only comes with one lift then? And holes and whatnot to install a second one for, what, just in case????
Anyway, um, so the one I linked to is $45, plus 4 ball studs for $12 (are there other places where another lift could be...? No? OK).
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Then miscellaneous hardware bits for $2-3 at your local True Value or Lowes or Home Depot.

Anyway.... Seriously, they only put one in there at the factory??

Hey, by the way I have 3 ball studs in case anyone needs one.

Why would they install more than one? One works fine. The only time we see the need to add the second one is when folks add the rack on top of the lid.

[KX5062]

NAPA

Jack

Okay, and what part number would that be?

This was covered several years ago and as I remember it there was no automotive equivalent because of the ends. One being a ball and socket and the other being a standard through bolt type fitting. If you've got updated information, then by all means please share it with the group.

[jaherbst]

I took mine off, took it in and NAPA matched it. Never knew the part number. I just let the sales person do his job. Took three to four days for them to order it.

PEP Boys replaced the one on the seat when I added the BRP Ultimate seat and heavy fitted sheepskin. Stock strut assist was to week and went with a stronger version. No drilling or cutting on either.

Jack

[Little Blue]

YES 'NAPA' They are always Good People to Help.

[2dogs]

Is sinfully expensive for these parts. I just ordered a gas strut for my tread mill that is 10+ times the size and lifts/lowers a 100+ pounds and I only paid $37 for it. Finless found the fix at Ace Hardware in the spring department for pennies.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjhvfTHI4oY

[trikermutha]

Here another thread that has a lot of info..

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...ht=trunk+strut

[OverHillAndDale]

These are more creative solutions than I anticipated. As I have a luggage rack, I really like the idea of the second strut. I'm going to take the current strut to NAPA and order the extra parts I need to make this work.

[Bob Denman]

I have a question about Bob's video: I didn't see where he explained (or better yet: showed!) us the process for getting that R/C suspension spring onto the strut shock...

[jcthorne]

These are more creative solutions than I anticipated. As I have a luggage rack, I really like the idea of the second strut. I'm going to take the current strut to NAPA and order the extra parts I need to make this work.

If the NAPA boys do find a reasonable price replacement for the OEM trunk lid, be sure to post up. I have tried this several times and end up ordering the OEM one every time as there is no reasonable replacement.

[Mazo EMS2]

I just drilled a second hole higher for the lower mount....3/4" was the magic number

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

**shakes head a bit**

So, stock only comes with one lift then? And holes and whatnot to install a second one for, what, just in case????
Anyway, um, so the one I linked to is $45, plus 4 ball studs for $12 (are there other places where another lift could be...? No? OK).
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Then miscellaneous hardware bits for $2-3 at your local True Value or Lowes or Home Depot.

Anyway.... Seriously, they only put one in there at the factory??

Hey, by the way I have 3 ball studs in case anyone needs one.

A couple years back I researched this issue ...... and found several choices at McMaster-Carr ...... They have literally hundreds of gas shocks ..... They list them as GAS SPRINGS ...... find the size you need and then chose the pressure you want ....less than $20.00 ......................good hunting ..... Mike

[finless]

I have a question about Bob's video: I didn't see where he explained (or better yet: showed!) us the process for getting that R/C suspension spring onto the strut shock...

You just coil it on (screw it on).

It won't be strong enough if you added a rack. Most people that added a rack got a 2nd shock to solve it once and for all.

The 2nd hole works but you have to be very careful not to go too high as if you do the shock will compress fully and stop before the lid shuts.

Back when I was looking for other shocks I never found one at NAPA or McMaster-carr because of the custom end. They could have them now though as that was like 2 years ago. The shock is made for BRP by Suspa. Believe it or not Suspa wants more money for it than BRP does! Another guy here found a shock for cheap but it did not have the correct end. He heated the old one and was able to remove the end and put it on the new shock. Looked like a lot of work.

If I was to do this over again, I would just bite the bullet and get the 2nd shock.

Bob

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

You just coil it on (screw it on).

It won't be strong enough if you added a rack. Most people that added a rack got a 2nd shock to solve it once and for all.

The 2nd hole works but you have to be very careful not to go too high as if you do the shock will compress fully and stop before the lid shuts.

Back when I was looking for other shocks I never found one at NAPA or McMaster-carr because of the custom end. They could have them now though as that was like 2 years ago. The shock is made for BRP by Suspa. Believe it or not Suspa wants more money for it than BRP does! Another guy here found a shock for cheap but it did not have the correct end. He heated the old one and was able to remove the end and put it on the new shock. Looked like a lot of work.

If I was to do this over again, I would just bite the bullet and get the 2nd shock.

Bob

My shock is mounted on the trunk and not measurable - so if someone who has theirs off could measure from center to center the fittings on the OEM shock .....I'll find one from Mcmaster Carr and report it here on the Forum ...... Mike

[Lew L]

Easy, simple, no cost. This mod works with the safety chrome rack. If I ever need more it will a $ 1 spring.


Lew L

I just drilled a second hole higher for the lower mount....3/4" was the magic number

[glorybiz]

https://www.liftsupportsdepot.com/li...-lift-support/

go to this link for your lift. I added a second one and no more problem

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

https://www.liftsupportsdepot.com/li...-lift-support/

go to this link for your lift. I added a second one and no more problem

Good find , however this can be purchased at McMasterCarr for a lot less ……( thanks to spyder01, for their thread today ) ……. Mike

[jegarh]

I have a question about Bob's video: I didn't see where he explained (or better yet: showed!) us the process for getting that R/C suspension spring onto the strut shock...

You just "screw" the coils on to the shaft.