2020 RTL Seat strut barely holds the seat open - ideas?

[WilcoJunoHotel]

https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/127/1374 Part # 9416K14 in 30# You can choose another if you wish but it might break the plastic stud if there's too much pressure on it.

For some odd reason, that link goes to a "how to" page. I got to the page by entering the part number (9416K14) in their search block.

The other link worked fine.

Thanks for posting this. I will likely order this as well.

 

[Mikey]

Great to hear McMaster came threw for you!!:2thumbs:

 

[Iceman47]

Thanks for the info K80. My research had resulted in the same number for the strut from McMaster-Carr. But hadn't thought about the eyelet, as I was going to use the one from the factory strut, but the extra lift will be nice.
For those wishing to replace their strut, the ball end comes off, but with concerted effort. I clamped the end in a vise, wrapped the strut with some tape, them gripped it with a pliers (water pump) and twisted. It will finally break loose.
Total for strut, eyelet, shipping and IL tax came to $27.56. Should receive it this coming Tuesday. I can't wait to see if this works.
P.S. A rather unscientific procedure using a digital bathroom scale showed 16.7 lbs of force needed the close the factory strut.

 

[K80Shooter]

For some odd reason, that link goes to a "how to" page. I got to the page by entering the part number (9416K14) in their search block.

The other link worked fine.

Thanks for posting this. I will likely order this as well.

Did you scroll down on the page? :dontknow: It should have been farther down but as long as you found it that's all that matters. :cheers:

 

[Jetfixer]

Why not get a new one under warranty?

 

[K80Shooter]

Why not get a new one under warranty?

There's nothing wrong with the original strut. When you start adding things like the butt buffer, gel inserts and such is when the problem starts. Just replacing it with the stock strut would accomplish nothing.

 

[WilcoJunoHotel]

Why not get a new one under warranty?

Adding to what K80shooter noted, the stock strut is only about 15-20 pounds force which barely holds up the OEM seat so adding a gel seat insert (what I did) adds weight which renders the stock strut incapable of holding the seat up when filling gas tank and checking oil.

 

[WilcoJunoHotel]

I ordered McMaster Carr PN 9416K11 (30# force) which is a little bit longer than the stock one but not quite as beefy in body and rod diameter.

Installed it today using the OEM "ends" and it seems to work fine hyea: - holds up the seat with no problem but it is not so forceful that the seat pops up on it's own so I think I have about the right force (30#).

BTW, to unscrew the factory OEM "ends", it helps to place the strut in a vise using plastic vise pads like these so you don't damage the strut (in case you need it later). The eyelet end on mine took some force to unscrew but the ball socket end came right off.

You also don't need to remove anything but the passenger seat to gain access. A long narrow screwdriver wedged "just so" will release the clip at the ball socket end and it comes right out.

Thanks to K80shooter for finding the source for this strut rod. Might even be able to use one even longer but you are limited to how long it can be based on the travel of the strut and the fixed location of the ball end.




New strut is the smaller one in the pics above. I figured the weak link in the OEM setup is the plastic nib on the seat hinge so going with a slightly smaller shock rod was not going to make any difference - if anything breaks/fails, it will be that plastic nib not a smaller steel shock rod. And, it isn't exactly a critical component.

 

[Iceman47]

I just received my strut from McMaster-Carr. I ordered 9416K14, which is exactly the same dimensions and stroke as the original. I also ordered the 6465K26 eyelet which does indeed open the seat farther.
My unscientific digital bathroom scale test indicated 43.7 lbs. to close it. I'm sure that will become some what less with use.
It appears that either WJH's part or mine will work.
I know I'm happy!
The new strut shows a Suspa part # C16-14870.

 

[K80Shooter]

I ordered McMaster Carr PN 9416K11 (30# force) which is a little bit longer than the stock one but not quite as beefy in body and rod diameter.

Installed it today using the OEM "ends" and it seems to work fine hyea: - holds up the seat with no problem but it is not so forceful that the seat pops up on it's own so I think I have about the right force (30#).

BTW, to unscrew the factory OEM "ends", it helps to place the strut in a vise using plastic vise pads like these so you don't damage the strut (in case you need it later). The eyelet end on mine took some force to unscrew but the ball socket end came right off.

You also don't need to remove anything but the passenger seat to gain access. A long narrow screwdriver wedged "just so" will release the clip at the ball socket end and it comes right out.

Thanks to K80shooter for finding the source for this strut rod. Might even be able to use one even longer but you are limited to how long it can be based on the travel of the strut and the fixed location of the ball end.

View attachment 191043
View attachment 191044

New strut is the smaller one in the pics above. I figured the weak link in the OEM setup is the plastic nib on the seat hinge so going with a slightly smaller shock rod was not going to make any difference - if anything breaks/fails, it will be that plastic nib not a smaller steel shock rod. And, it isn't exactly a critical component.

View attachment 191045

You should have gotten the 9416K14 in 30lb, it's exactly like the oem one. I also got the 9416K11 just in case the other one didn't work but I think either one will work much better than the 18# factory one.

Glad it worked out for you. :2thumbs:

 

[K80Shooter]

@WilcoJunoHotel Did the extra length in that strut increase the seat lift a noticeable amount? I know I like mine a lot better with the extra height.

 

[WilcoJunoHotel]

Here is a pic - I placed the bottom edge of the ruler along the blue body panel piece just forward of where it meets the black body panel piece.

 

[K80Shooter]

Here is a pic - I placed the bottom edge of the ruler along the blue body panel piece just forward of where it meets the black body panel piece.

View attachment 191138

I'd call that 11-1/2" close enough for me. I'll check mine like that to compare but it looks like you have plenty of room now.

 

[DanDanTMM]

I'd call that 11-1/2" close enough for me. I'll check mine like that to compare but it looks like you have plenty of room now.

Thanks guys! I want some extra lift in my seat and didn't want to move my AirHawk every time I filled up. Just order myself a new strut and eyelet. :yes:

 

[Peteoz]

I re-placed my seat strut ( for a different reason ) with a stiff rod .... works everytime, and will never fail .... I didn't have to drill the frame , there was / are two pushpins that can be re-moved and replaced with 5 (?) inch 1/4 dis. bolt .... then add the rod ..... good luck .... Mike :thumbup:

Yeah, I think that will be my solution……. Thanks Mike:thumbup:

Pete

 

[bikerbillone]

I'm with jetfixer, I got a new one under warranty, a PIA with dealer dealings, but probably worth the aggravation.

Bill Wms
Sebring Florida
2020 RTL

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Yeah, I think that will be my solution……. Thanks Mike:thumbup:

Pete

Pete, look in my Album " gas strut " re-placement " if you click on the pic it will enlarge and tell what I did ..... Mike :thumbup:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Thanks guys! I want some extra lift in my seat and didn't want to move my AirHawk every time I filled up. Just order myself a new strut and eyelet. :yes:

Look at my Album - gas strut re-placement - this is how I REMOVED the OEM strut so I could OPEN the seat about 14 inches higher ..... it makes " Brake fluid " checking MUCH easier .... Also check my post #4 ..... Mike :thumbup:

 

[K80Shooter]

Look at my Album - gas strut re-placement - this is how I REMOVED the OEM strut so I could OPEN the seat about 14 inches higher ..... it makes " Brake fluid " checking MUCH easier .... Mikle

Pete's seat is very different from the one-piece seat in the older RT's but the added height that he will gain will help in fueling the tank.

 

[Peteoz]

Pete's seat is very different from the one-piece seat in the older RT's but the added height that he will gain will help in fueling the tank.

It will be interesting to see just what Daylong have done to the drivers seat to give me a little more seat height and heavy duty suspension, K80. I told them they could do whatever they liked to the rear seat, as it is a spare, so they may have reshaped it to compensate for the thicker drivers seat. They can’t move the drivers seat back due to the hinges and shape, so I have to use my stock drivers backrest in the rear seat hole. It’s a “brave new world”,:2thumbs:

I do like Mike’s idea of a rod, rather than a gas strut. Perhaps I can find some way of attaching the rod on a swivel to the underside of the seat, so it props automatically when I lift the seat. A little more room under the seat would be welcome too, but all that is speculation until I see/test the Daylong seat:dontknow:

Pere