Gas strut for trunk on the RT

[Peter Aawen]

Actually, WWW.CanAmSpyderAccessories.com has a great little SS Rod affair that I purchased and it works great.....no more worries wondering if the trunk lid is going to fall on my head. Check it out!

Thanks for the update!

Add that one to the list Bob!

[Steve W.]

I ordered struts from Amazon for the seat and trunk for my wife's '17 RT. They arrived over the weekend while we were out of town, will attempt replacement tonight to see how they work.

EDIT: Installed the struts. VERY easy job. Doing both of them took less than half an hour, and that was mainly because I was checking their respective forces for comparison.

Ordered through Amazon, both of them are from LiftSupportsDepot.com.
The trunk strut is PM3300, the seat strut is LSD0019.

Checked forces on the bathroom scale.
Old trunk: 16.5 lbs.
New trunk: 29.2 lbs.

Old seat: 18.4 lbs.
New seat: 38.6 lbs.

Initial impressions: the trunk strut could stand to be a bit stronger. I think I will order the hardware to install a second strut and keep the load balanced. The seat strut does the job, but it could also stand to be a bit stronger. I might look for something stronger if I need to change them again, but not right away.

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[seaweed]

I have added a second trunk strut on my Spyder, and it opens very nicely and stays open. I believe that if you can safely leave the trunk open while in storage (no mice or varmint around) the strut will be in the relaxed position rather then the compressed position it will last a lot longer. That is what I do now. IMHO

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Actually, WWW.CanAmSpyderAccessories.com has a great little SS Rod affair that I purchased and it works great.....no more worries wondering if the trunk lid is going to fall on my head. Check it out!

...... Except I made my own ..... another Member " safecracker " had posted that He bought one also ..... I asked Him to make a Tracing and mail it to me. ..... He did and DIY'd it ..... This thing is sooooooooooooooooooooo simple, I'm amazed I hadn't figured out how to make one years ago...... I simplified making it by not trying to cut out the entire shape. I just made it straight ( without the thumb piece ) and then glued a piece of scrap..... Anyone interested I'll explain how simple this is to make ....... Mike

[bigbadbrucie]

...... Except I made my own ..... another Member " safecracker " had posted that He bought one also ..... I asked Him to make a Tracing and mail it to me. ..... He did and DIY'd it ..... This thing is sooooooooooooooooooooo simple, I'm amazed I hadn't figured out how to make one years ago...... I simplified making it by not trying to cut out the entire shape. I just made it straight ( without the thumb piece ) and then glued a piece of scrap..... Anyone interested I'll explain how simple this is to make ....... Mike

Good on ya Mike......yeah, they are very simple. I've had mine now for a couple of years. No More Worries about it wearing out, or getting weak.

[Bangorbob]

Isn't it terrible that these machines are so expensive and the people on the forum have to figure out how to fix the stuff the company didn't get right.
I feel better now. Thanks.

[bigbadbrucie]

Bangorbob...... I wouldn’t be too hard on BRP, look at all the stuff you can do to a Harley...... it’s not just these machines! And what about automobiles.... new wheels..... new wrap for the back window? Even the 18 wheelers..... new Pipes ....... new horn...... dress up the sleeper? No, it’s not just BRP, IT’S US....YOU AND I!

[Steve W.]

Bangorbob...... I wouldn’t be too hard on BRP, look at all the stuff you can do to a Harley...... it’s not just these machines! And what about automobiles.... new wheels..... new wrap for the back window? Even the 18 wheelers..... new Pipes ....... new horn...... dress up the sleeper? No, it’s not just BRP, IT’S US....YOU AND I!

Wheels, wraps, lights, horns, ... etc., etc. are not necessarily design inadequacies. Those are just adjustments for personal tastes. Having to improvise a system to keep your trunk lid or seat up while refueling is not something you CAN do, it's pretty much something you HAVE to do, and that's sad.

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[Bangorbob]

My point exactly. I agree that it exist in almost all things in life. Quality control just isn't what it used to be.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

WHaving to improvise a system to keep your trunk lid or seat up while refueling is not something you CAN do, it's pretty much something you HAVE to do, and that's sad.

There are only two or three reasons why you would have to repair/improvise something like the seat strut. First is wear out. All gas shocks deteriorate with time so you can't put the blame for that on BRP. Second, you have changed to a heavier seat or have added load to it. Again, that is out of BRP's control. So I don't see how or why a seat strut that doesn't hold up the seat is a BRP quality control problem.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Quality control just isn't what it used to be.

No it isn't. It's much better. A couple of examples. Did you get 50,000 miles out of car tires in 1955? H*** no! 1960's cars by and large were junk before 100,000 miles. Now you readily buy used cars with 150,000+ miles on them and they're running great. When's the last time you regularly saw cars on the road blowing smoke out the tailpipe? I'll bet it was 50, 60 years ago.

[PMK]

There are only two or three reasons why you would have to repair/improvise something like the seat strut. First is wear out. All gas shocks deteriorate with time so you can't put the blame for that on BRP. Second, you have changed to a heavier seat or have added load to it. Again, that is out of BRP's control. So I don't see how or why a seat strut that doesn't hold up the seat is a BRP quality control problem.

Agree.
And want to add, as far as the seat or trunk or any gas spring truly “wearing out”, unless it is or has leaked out the oil, it is not worn out. These units loose gas pressure over time, which causes them to soften.

The gas spring internal pressure to hold up and also allow the trunk lid (without a rack installed) to slowly raise is 1000 psi. The volume of nitrogen inside the gas spring is very little, so as it slowly bleeds off, and it does not take much loss, the gas spring softens and becomes weak.

[PW2013STL]

For all those who suggested adding a second strut to the trunk be aware that on the 2020 and newer trunks the strut is in a molded cavity on the right side. there is no cavity on the left side so it's not possible to add a second strut. What I did on my 2020 and wife's 2021 was add a helper spring that goes over the strut.

I picked the spring up at Home Depot. It was in a package of 4 springs. Two of this size and two smaller. I stretched the spring out until it was as long as the strut and then cut off the hooks.
One end of the strut is pried off by pulling on the spring clip and the other is held on by a 5mm allen screw. The lid is held on by two bolt pins (T20 and 10mm) the left pin is longer then the right.
The back rest pad is removed by taking out the two T20 screws in the box and then lifting it off.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

there is no cavity on the left side so it's not possible to add a second strut.

Another good work around gone down the tubes.

[PW2013STL]

Added sideway pictures - sorry about that!

[kroache]

For all those who suggested adding a second strut to the trunk be aware that on the 2020 and newer trunks the strut is in a molded cavity on the right side. there is no cavity on the left side so it's not possible to add a second strut. What I did on my 2020 and wife's 2021 was add a helper spring that goes over the strut.

I picked the spring up at Home Depot. It was in a package of 4 springs. Two of this size and two smaller. I stretched the spring out until it was as long as the strut and then cut off the hooks.
One end of the strut is pried off by pulling on the spring clip and the other is held on by a 5mm allen screw. The lid is held on by two bolt pins (T20 and 10mm) the left pin is longer then the right.
The back rest pad is removed by taking out the two T20 screws in the box and then lifting it off.

Many thanks for taking the time to pass this on. I just did your seat lift fix yesterday (added a spring to the seat lift strut) so that helped with that problem (thanks!!). Would the spring you had recommended for the seat strut (SP-9713) work on the trunk strut or are they different sizes? I ask as the SP-9713 spring package contained 2 springs but I am guessing they are different. Thanks again!!
Cheers
Kevin

[GreyGhost]

Mine works until I strap the drink cooler on an added luggage rack..my low tech solution was a couple of rubber door stops I stick against the arms..

[peterparker]

I love the low tech solution

[peterparker]

Found a pack of 2 small doorstops in a whiter shade of pale for 2.79 at Ace Hardware. Ka-Ching. Problem solved. But I will replace the shock at a later date.

Thanks to everyone for the information.

[Partzman23]

For those with a weak strut on the trunk lid, here is another option to hold the lid in the open position .
I have a rack on my trunk lid I use to hold a Pet Palace for my 12lb dog. This holder will hold the lid open .
https://www.canamspyderaccessories.c...-trunk-holder/

[K80Shooter]

For those with a weak strut on the trunk lid, here is another option to hold the lid in the open position .
I have a rack on my trunk lid I use to hold a Pet Palace for my 12lb dog. This holder will hold the lid open .
https://www.canamspyderaccessories.c...-trunk-holder/

That will only work on the 2013 thru 2019 models. It WILL NOT fit the 2020+ models.

[Iceman47]

Sure wish someone had a replacement gas strut for the '20 RTL trunk. Replaced the seat strut with a stronger one from McMaster-Carr, but have been unable to find a replacement for the trunk. Mine is still covered under the extended warranty, but I still have to pay a $50 deductible. And it will probably only last a couple years, also.

[charlesl]

Thanks.
Just did this with a spring I bought at Ace Hardware $2.19.
Wife is happy - for now.

[Grayfox]

Did my 2012rt like you said worked great Thanks

[TIMMB]

Here is an aftermarket trunk replacement, it says seat but those are the trunk part numbers posted in the item information.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...S6F7RLJ5&psc=1