Gas strut for trunk on the RT

[Mazo EMS2]

Now that I have the rack on the lid of the trunk, the stock strut is no longer strong enough to hold the lid up. So, I looked on the BRP parts fiche and see they hose ya for $65 for a strut.... Has anyone replaced or added a second strut for a better price? That's just ridiculous to charge that much. I was reading the thread about the gas strut upgrade for the seat only costing about $10, was hoping to upgrade that one too. Anyone have any links or part numbers they'd care to share for the seat and the trunk struts?

Thanks,
Rick

[Cruzr Joe]

see attached link

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...runk-gas-shock

Read it all the way through.

Cruzr joe

[Mazo EMS2]

see attached link

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...runk-gas-shock

Read it all the way through.

Cruzr joe

Ugh....I tried, I really did try to read all the way through it...Now I think I'll go shove a rusty nail in my eye...LOL... Looks like it's come down to a paint stick.

[Devious56]

see attached link

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...runk-gas-shock

Read it all the way through.

Cruzr joe

Thanks Joe, you beat me to it.

David

[Cruzr Joe]

Ugh....I tried, I really did try to read all the way through it...Now I think I'll go shove a rusty nail in my eye...LOL... Looks like it's come down to a paint stick.

Here are the required parts and part #s with 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

Cruzr Joe

[rich5006]

thanks for the info. hope it works

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

This is what I used. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1. Only $44.90. I replaced the original because I thought it was losing its oomph. I bought a ball mount from NAPA with a 5/16" stud. I don't remember if I used an M6 or 5/16 bolt on the top end. I also added some fender washers under the nut on both ball studs because the strain of the strut was causing the plastic flange to bend.

You also need a spacer on the top end. I used one that was close in diameter from the hardware store and shortened it to fit.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Regarding the Trunk support ….. if you send me the measurements of the ROD ( eye to eye ) I'll find you one at McMaste-Carr ...they sell for about $ 15.00 per strut and range from about 5lbs to 50lbs in lifting ability ( for the same size strut )…………….. Mike

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Regarding the Trunk support ….. if you send me the measurements of the ROD ( eye to eye ) I'll find you one at McMaste-Carr ...they sell for about $ 15.00 per strut and range from about 5lbs to 50lbs in lifting ability ( for the same size strut )…………….. Mike

Any guess as to what shipping would be across country? They don't show shipping charges until after you hit the order button. I estimated the whole bit from MMC will be about 1/2 the price of the one from Amazon after you add the fittings. You have to add shipping to that. If you want to deal with bits and pieces you can save $$, but not everyone wants to do that. Where are the MMC struts made, China? For that price they must be.

[PMK]

If I understand correctly, you added a rack and now desire added lifting force?

Consider going to two gas springs of each having a lower pressure vs one higher pressure gas spring.

The reason being is that when the lid is closed, the gas spring is compressed and at the highest pressure and extending force. Sitting there compressed, the plastic gas spring mount at tne bottom and tne hinges are being constantly strained.

Two gas springs, puts less stress into the plastic structure and hinges when closed.

FWIW, the gas spring on our 2014 is now where you must lift the lid to open, but it stays up when there. Could replace the gas spring, but will more likely modify it so I can add pressure when needed.

[glorybiz]

I had the same issue after I put my rack on. First tried a replacement strut and that hardly worked any better. Then I got creative, went to Home Depot and bought a spring to assist the strut, it works great. You just have to stretch the spring out 1 and a half times the length of the strut. Remove one end of the strut and slip the spring over it.spring.jpg

[HayRog]

Here are the required parts and part #s with 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

Cruzr Joe

Right on -- that's the list I went with.

[HayRog]

If I understand correctly, you added a rack and now desire added lifting force?

Consider going to two gas springs of each having a lower pressure vs one higher pressure gas spring.

The reason being is that when the lid is closed, the gas spring is compressed and at the highest pressure and extending force. Sitting there compressed, the plastic gas spring mount at tne bottom and tne hinges are being constantly strained.

Two gas springs, puts less stress into the plastic structure and hinges when closed.
......

Good advice here....^^^

[2Paw]

I added a second strut to the right side and got all the parts (which are the same parts as for the other side) from cheap cycle parts all for around $60 I think.

[Mazo EMS2]

In the end, all I did to my 2010 when I wrote this, was relocate the lower mounting hole for the strut. I moved the bottom hole up 3/4" and it solved the problem for FREE and took 10 minutes.

[CBXBob]

Yes,I broke the bracket for the original left strut and had to replace the inner liner so I added strut on the right side also. I am sure overloading the luggage rack on the lid caused it. No problems since. Should have been OEM from factory. They cheaper out.

[spydernatic]

Here is what I found from a company called Lift supports depot they make a gas strut for the Can Am spyder ..if you input the Can am spyder info in the search boxes it will pull up a gas strut, it does not show if it for the trunk or for the seat but I would image it is for the trunk it is more expensive at $44.90
Reading through the posts I see that Amazon has the same price for exactly the same strut .....it says "Lift Support Depot" in the Amazon picture.

[Lew L]

In the end, all I did to my 2010 when I wrote this, was relocate the lower mounting hole for the strut. I moved the bottom hole up 3/4" and it solved the problem for FREE and took 10 minutes.

I did the same thing years ago. Safety Chrome rack added too.
LewL

[missouriboy]

I'm too lazy for all this. My RPM1 extended warranty covers it, and the new strut is on-order at my dealer right now.

[3whlLefty]

I don't have any rack on my rear trunk lid and had to manually lift it all the way to the fully open spot. So...After reading this thread I bought to replacement from Amazon. It fits perfectly but does not lift the lid much better. It I lift it half way then it will slowly raise it the rest.

So, what is actually supposed to happen with a good strut in place?

Also, a 2nd question. What's this thing in the pic attached to my pass backrest? Didn't notice any mention in any thread. It has a wire going down into the bowels below the box.

Any ideas?? Thanks for your help. Paul

TrunThing.jpg

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Do you have ADDED lights on the trunk ….. I've asked many times here but no one has provided the info ….. I need the measurement of the Rod - from the center of the socket to the edge of the cylinder …. then do the same for the cylinder …. I'm sure McMaster-Carr has some that will fit ….they come in various strengths …… Mike

[PMK]

I don't have any rack on my rear trunk lid and had to manually lift it all the way to the fully open spot. So...After reading this thread I bought to replacement from Amazon. It fits perfectly but does not lift the lid much better. It I lift it half way then it will slowly raise it the rest.

So, what is actually supposed to happen with a good strut in place?

Also, a 2nd question. What's this thing in the pic attached to my pass backrest? Didn't notice any mention in any thread. It has a wire going down into the bowels below the box.

Any ideas?? Thanks for your help. Paul

TrunThing.jpg

The bracket and thing with the wire appears to be the Sat Antenna for Sirius or similar Sat radio.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

The bracket and thing with the wire appears to be the Sat Antenna for Sirius or similar Sat radio.

………. it looks exactly like mine ….. I would have thought He knew He had Sirius XM ….. …………..Mike

[3whlLefty]

Thanks for the replies. I obviously still have a lot to learn about my toy.

I do have Sirius XM but never thought of that because I never use the radio. I bought this RT used. The original owner must have had a expense account and wanted to use it for advertising. He had it covered in graphics and put on almost every accessory in the book. I'm mostly a minimalist but the ISCI handbrake drew me in. I actually have his original paperwork. He spent a lot of money!!

That said, I do have the high brake light on the trunk lid and the LED circle around the BRP emblem. I suppose they might be enough weight to affect the lift of the gas strut.

[dcarver]

sounds great my wife added cosmetic and mirror to under trunk. We find we need to add hair brush to hold up trunk;