Frunk Gas Struts - Which Way Up?

[DocMark]

A question -

Gas struts for the MG4 frunk, I've seen photos and videos with them installed in either direction. Is there a correct way to install them, i.i.; with the hydraulic reservoir at the top or at the bottom?

Thanks

Mark

 

[Panther]

I work with ottoman beds and the strut suppliers always say the reservoir should be at the top, otherwise the oil/fluid will sit at the bottom of the strut and not lubricate the piston correctly when opening and closing.

 

[MG Clive]

I work with ottoman beds and the strut suppliers always say the reservoir should be at the top, otherwise the oil/fluid will sit at the bottom of the strut and not lubricate the piston correctly when opening and closing.

Exactly this

 

[Scotsman]

I work with ottoman beds and the strut suppliers always say the reservoir should be at the top, otherwise the oil/fluid will sit at the bottom of the strut and not lubricate the piston correctly when opening and closing.

Hi you should fit with the rod down that's the long chrome bit so it can get lubricated .

 

[Susanna]

I work with ottoman beds and the strut suppliers always say the reservoir should be at the top, otherwise the oil/fluid will sit at the bottom of the strut and not lubricate the piston correctly when opening and closing.

The piston/s have failed on my ottoman bed - can it/they be replaced? If so, are they a standard size, or do I need a measurement or part number etc.
Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[TechNick]

The piston/s have failed on my ottoman bed - can it/they be replaced? If so, are they a standard size, or do I need a measurement or part number etc.
Thanks in advance for your help!

Had they been fitted the wrong way up...?

I'm no expert, but I replaced the struts on my new ottoman as the mattress was too heavy for them. From that experience, it was clear that there are many options available, so probably no such thing as a 'standard'... however, if you're simply looking for a like-for-like replacement, then there should be spec. details stamped on the side of the existing struts that you could search for, to find a replacement. HTH.

 

[Kithmo]

Are my factory fitted rear hatch struts on upside down then ?

 

[MG Clive]

Are my factory fitted rear hatch struts on upside down then ?

No, because when the hatch is closed, the struts are the correct way round.

 

[Panther]

The piston/s have failed on my ottoman bed - can it/they be replaced? If so, are they a standard size, or do I need a measurement or part number etc.
Thanks in advance for your help!

I've PM'd you, but the Newton (N) rating is an important factor

 

[slmorgan42]

So I have not fitted them yet but I have front and back ones to install.
The frunk ones show the gas piston on top.
The boot one show on the bottom. But as someone mentioned when closed they are at the top.

 

[MG Clive]

So I have not fitted them yet but I have front and back ones to install.
The frunk ones show the gas piston on top.
The boot one show on the bottom. But as someone mentioned when closed they are at the top.

I suppose the bonnet ones will be fairly horizontal when the bonnet is closed, so it's probably not so critical to fit them a particular way up.

 

[Scotsman]

Are my factory fitted rear hatch struts on upside down then ?

No the car has been built arse about tit

 

[DocMark]

Thanks Panther for your advice. Looks like something of assistance to a number of people here.
ave a great weekend everyone

 

[redwood98]

Has anyone with gas struts removed them temporarily for a service, then installed them again. I'm wondering how easy they are to uninstall then reinstall as looking at the process in videos, it doesn't look all that possible.

 

[siteguru]

(If I'm remembering the fitting process right) ... I suspect that taking them out means you'll lose the nuts that fit inside the bonnet lid ... unless there's some way to hold them and get them out.

 

[redwood98]

(If I'm remembering the fitting process right) ... I suspect that taking them out means you'll lose the nuts that fit inside the bonnet lid ... unless there's some way to hold them and get them out.

That's my worry, I'm thinking you have to either leave the ball joint thing in (which a service might not like) or take it out completely, losing the nut.

 

[ReintjeWA]

I wouldn’t worry about taking them out for service, there is no expectation for the car to return to service the way it got delivered. Especially if you own the car.

Beyond that, @siteguru is correct, taking them out means you’ll lose the retaining nut inside the bonnet.

 

[redwood98]

I wouldn’t worry about taking them out for service, there is no expectation for the car to return to service the way it got delivered. Especially if you own the car.

Beyond that, @siteguru is correct, taking them out means you’ll lose the retaining nut inside the bonnet.

Mine arrived today but wondering if I should wait until I take my car in on the 23rd

 

[Cabansail]

Looks like I am going to change them around on mine.

 

[DocMark]

That's my worry, I'm thinking you have to either leave the ball joint thing in (which a service might not like) or take it out completely, losing the nut.

Shouldn't be an issue - you can pop the strut off from the mounting and leave the mounting ball undisturbed. That's what I did to turn around the one I had fitted the other way around. A couple of years ago I had the hatch struts on my MG6 GT replaced and the longest part of the process was the technician cross referencing the SAIC part number with the brand that they stocked. Proped the boot open and about a minute to pop the struts off and replace them. He had a fork-like tool to do it, but I just used a broad flat-head screwdriver.