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Gas strut for trunk on the RT

Bangorbob said:
Quality control just isn't what it used to be.
Click to expand...
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.
 
IdahoMtnSpyder said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
 

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Last edited by a moderator:
PW2013STL said:
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.
Click to expand...

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
 
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..
 
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.
 
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.
 
I read a bunch of replies then jumped ahead, hope I didn't miss the answer to MY issue!

I added a rack to the top of the box on my F3 Limited, easy with the supplied 'dimples'. But now the box lid will not stay open. I carried a stick on my trip to AK last year but would like to figure out a better solution. Unlike the RT boxes (I guess), the F3 doesn't use a strut but the 'springs?' are built into the hinges. Any thoughts?
 
I went to McmasterCarr and got a new strut for my seat, you can call them with you info or work it out from the information in the book, in most cases you can get a strut with the right dimensions, and set up, and pick one with a stronger lift! I would take yours off and get all the dimensions, and give them a call, it would be faster and easyer. Good luck
 
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