New Gas Strut for the RT Saddle

[Arion]

My very small rainy day task today was replacing the "hold up the saddle" gas strut on my wife's 2012 RTL. As suggested by one of our forum members (terrible at remembering names) I ordered a McMaster-Carr Item 9416K17 gas spring, 15.63" extended length, 40lbs force, and two M6 snap-on ball socket end fittings.

Even with fumbling around and being distracted by several other shiny objects in the garage the entire task took roughly four minutes (after finding something to hold the saddle up while I poked around). The indication that the stock strut was waaaay past its prime was (and still is) that when held vertically the shaft slowly sunk into the piston all on its own. Now when the key is turned to the saddle release position the seat springs open and stays firmly in the raised position. Worth the cost in my humble opinion.

If I keep reading all the great fixes and improvements on this forum I'm likely to go broke! Oh wait, there are worse things, yes, no?

[pegasus1300]

I did this a couple of years ago on my 2012 RTL. It is so nice to release the seat catch and have the seat just pop up. Congrats on the Spyder Improvement project.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

My very small rainy day task today was replacing the "hold up the saddle" gas strut on my wife's 2012 RTL. As suggested by one of our forum members (terrible at remembering names) I ordered a McMaster-Carr Item 9416K17 gas spring, 15.63" extended length, 40lbs force, and two M6 snap-on ball socket end fittings.

Even with fumbling around and being distracted by several other shiny objects in the garage the entire task took roughly four minutes (after finding something to hold the saddle up while I poked around). The indication that the stock strut was waaaay past its prime was (and still is) that when held vertically the shaft slowly sunk into the piston all on its own. Now when the key is turned to the saddle release position the seat springs open and stays firmly in the raised position. Worth the cost in my humble opinion.

If I keep reading all the great fixes and improvements on this forum I'm likely to go broke! Oh wait, there are worse things, yes, no?

...your welcome …. I didn't have the part numbers, just said McMaster Carr had the struts needed to get the job done. For whatever weight you wanted ……. Mike

[h0gr1der]

I used this off of Ebay; Back Glass Lift Support Sachs SG359011 fits 84-90 Ford Bronco II. About $18-20 to your door. Doesn't lift the seat by itself with a full sheepskin and driver backrest, but you have to push it down firmly to close it.

[Revalden]

Is that McMaster/Carr part # the same for 2014- 2017 RT?

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I used this off of Ebay; Back Glass Lift Support Sachs SG359011 fits 84-90 Ford Bronco II. About $18-20 to your door. Doesn't lift the seat by itself with a full sheepskin and driver backrest, but you have to push it down firmly to close it.

I think that's the one I used. Won't lift, but will hold up, the seat with my large back seat luggage sitting on it.

[trikermutha]

Sachs SG359011

Sold also at rock auto for around $9.00

[h0gr1der]

Sachs SG359011

Sold also at rock auto for around $9.00

Darn! Wish I'd a known that before buying. What was shipping from RockAuto? Probably less than $20 total, I bet.

[Arion]

Is that McMaster/Carr part # the same for 2014- 2017 RT?

The 2012 and 2015 OEM struts appear the same. The first one I installed on our 2012 RTL and yesterday after finishing the installation I ordered one for my 2015 RT-S so I'll should be able to confirm or not when it arrives next week. My bet is they're the same.

[trikermutha]

Darn! Wish I'd a known that before buying. What was shipping from RockAuto? Probably less than $20 total, I bet.

Something like 8:10 for the strut and cant remember the ship cost at the time.. Holds up my Ultimate seat very well !

[Revalden]

Thanks, I'm gonna order one. Does anyone know the part # for the rear box. Management HAD to buy a luggage rack at the 2019 Green Country Spyder Rally and if anything gets loaded on it an extra strut is gonna be necessary, I think.