Boot opening - spring loaded strut

[Stratos Fear]

To save re-inventing the wheel has anyone installed a spring loaded strut for the bootlid?

Failing this I'll have to test my engineering skills to the limit by trying to work out which spring loading and boot strut will be best for the Stratos.(and work out how to mount it)

Thanks for any advice.

P

[Guy Mayers]

Most people go with a fixed length prop. Have you considered the strain imposed on the fibreglass boot lid might lead to distortion or stress cracks? Or do you have an aluminium bootlid?
Guy

[Normb666]

I know a couple of guys who used to play rugby, but they were scrum-halves rather than props. They might fit the bill, although probably not in the boot though...

[Lancialulu]

I am sure I wrote up the boot lid gas strut I fitted to Shades. Cost me £5 from toolstation. For a kitchen cabinet I seem to remember.

[Normb666]

Kitchen cabinet? Fantastic lateral thinking, Tim! But did you need to make up a Formica boot lid to match?

[Lancialulu]

Kitchen cabinet? Fantastic lateral thinking, Tim! But did you need to make up a Formica boot lid to match?Norm you are showing your age!!!

[Stratos Fear]

Thanks guys - amusing but not much help !

Guy - I understand your comment but wonder if their might be a stress(crack) free solution ?

[Guy Mayers]

I guess it's all about the way you attach the strut to the boot lid? Anything that spreads the load will help, I'd suggest a strip of ally or stainless steel with a 90 degree bend skiaflexed to the inside of the lid would do the trick. After that it's just a case of working out where the base sits, and if the pivot is near the hinge end or the spoiler end? I'd also consider if you want to have one at either side otherwise you're going to have to get into the habit of closing it by pushing down on one side to avoid twisting the lid? I'm probably overthinking this!
Guy

[Guy Mayers]

How about a self locking strut, not gas powered? Lift it to latch it, lift it again to unlatch and lower? Admittedly not as pretty or as technical as a gas strut but an option?

https://www.carbuilder.com/uk/bonnet-boot-lid-stay-small-180mm

Guy

[Gordon Caro]

Having worked with GRP cars a lot stress can be an issue causing the gel coat to crack. If you went for a gas spring a large spreader plate would be required but then you may get pull lines from the adhesive on the boot lid. I went for the simple option as shown below.178101781117812

[Stratos Fear]

Thanks - Gordon - a neat and simple solution - and Guy - the self locking strut is a good idea and without the complication of assessing spring strengths , lengths , fixings etc. I'll re-think this - or just keep the length of dowel I currently use !

[LOFT6.6]

I am sure I wrote up the boot lid gas strut I fitted to Shades. Cost me £5 from toolstation. For a kitchen cabinet I seem to remember.

Tim, I think this is the thread you were thinking of HERE (http://www.stratosec.com/Forum/showthread.php/3376-2016-Trivia-question-about-the-Hawk-boot-stay/page2?highlight=Boot+stay).

Cheers!

Ade

[Guy Mayers]

Looking at Tim's solution and assuming you have a fibreglass boot lid would an option be to attach the gas strut to the boot hinge instead? Might be a little on the diagonal so you might need a slightly longer one but this would eliminate the strain/stress issue?
Guy

[ProtoTipo]

MG boot strut (https://www.ukmgparts.com/product/mid-midcat-5-submid50-bonnet-door-boot-fittings/telescopic-boot-stay-midget-aha9716)

Ferrari 308 bonnet strut (not gas) (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174824003774?hash=item28b45298be:g:VC0AAOSwY~pedJLg)

[Stratos Fear]

Both ends of the cost spectrum there Chris ! I like the spring-loaded strut but not at that price ! I'll keep looking but in the mean time continue with my trusty length of dowel.

P

[ProtoTipo]

Both ends of the cost spectrum there Chris ! I like the spring-loaded strut but not at that price ! I'll keep looking but in the mean time continue with my trusty length of dowel.

P

The Ferrari 308 strut is not spring loaded Peter.
It's simply a rod with a ball that makes it go solid. (no gas, no springs)
'Could probably make one, if I can remember how it worked. I owned one, a while back.

[Stratos Fear]

I cant visualise how that would work Chris - but no doubt Norm will have a comment !

[Stableblock]

perhaps its eccentric?

[ProtoTipo]

perhaps its eccentric?

That's no way to talk about our Chairman.

[Normb666]

Well I wasn't gonna deign to comment as this is all too far below me, but if I'm getting a mention then all I can suggest is to either ask this Rod Ball guy, or maybe Malcolm Mc Dowel*, although why an actor should know about Strat boot stuff is beyond me. Although I believe he's got a toy Clockwork one, in Orange.

* yes I know his name's actually spelled differently :-P

[Karnevil]

MG boot strut (https://www.ukmgparts.com/product/mid-midcat-5-submid50-bonnet-door-boot-fittings/telescopic-boot-stay-midget-aha9716)

Ferrari 308 bonnet strut (not gas) (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174824003774?hash=item28b45298be:g:VC0AAOSwY~pedJLg)

Also early TR7 boot application.
Rimmer Bros
Robsport
Moss

Later TR7 went to gas struts very short,150mm ish , but boot lid on TR7 very heavy and strut very strong.

[StruanR]

You don't want to be under a TR7 boot if the wind catches it and drops it.
Don't ask....