Hab door gas strut. (1 Viewer)

[garry55]

Our hab door gas strut is u/s - anyone know how to remove / replace it?
I have never fitted or removed one of these in my lifetime and don't want to risk breaking the flimsy plastic door trim by trying to lever it off.
Ta.
Garry.

 

[Jev88]

Pictures will help. I have replaced 5 or 6 gas struts and so when i see yours I will probably be able to tell you how - there are only so m any fitting types.

SGS Engineering will supply a replacement btw

 

[garry55]

There you go

 

[Two on Tour]

There you go

View attachment 728302 View attachment 728303

As Jev88 says, SGS Engineering is your best bet, I have used them many times.
It's likely that your old gas strut is marked up with the info they need for a replacement.

Gas Struts

www.sgs-engineering.com

 

[donkey]

Look closely and you will see a wire clip around the ball housing. Lever it up and you will see that it can be withdrawn from a small hole in the housing. It is this fine wire that retains the ball. Once removed (don't drop it) you will be able to pull the ball free. Be prepare for the ram to go to its full extension, once removed from the ball. Just a few second job actually.

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[nicholsong]

I am intrigued by how one has a gas strut on a hab door, because I thought they all opened 180 degrees, so where does the strut go.

Just asking to be educated.

 

[Landy Andy]

My door opens to about 135 degrees and has gas strut.

 

[RustyRuss]

The gas strut fits in a notch/recess between the top of the door and the doorframe when compressed. Our door opens to about 170 degrees.

Cheers!

Russ

 

[Tombola]

I am intrigued by how one has a gas strut on a hab door, because I thought they all opened 180 degrees, so where does the strut go.

Just asking to be educated.

Mines tops at about 170...I removed it due to wind damage a few weeks back and have to remember not allow the door to slam open.

 

[nicholsong]

Mines tops at about 170...I removed it due to wind damage a few weeks back and have to remember not allow the door to slam open.

That was another question that I was going to ask, particularly as Landy Andy says his stops at 135 degrees so presumably wind can get behind it.

Are these gas struts a recent addition by manufacturers?

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[Tombola]

That was another question that I was going to ask, particularly as Landy Andy says his stops at 135 degrees so presumably wind can get behind it.

Are these gas struts a recent addition by manufacturers?

I think.so..because although my hab does look like it would go all the way and slam the side..it's has one if those erm!!! Concetena type hinges that I think "tries" to stop it but not up to he job fully.

The strut I have removed has a number on it that I assume will get me the exact OEM.part when I use the link kindly posted above by Two on Tour

 

[Landy Andy]

That was another question that I was going to ask, particularly as Landy Andy says his stops at 135 degrees so presumably wind can get behind it.

Are these gas struts a recent addition by manufacturers?

Just been in mine and it opens more than 135. Possibly 160?? I’ve got a 150mm gap from body to door. It isn’t a recent think as our bus is from 2008. I’ve never understood vans that didn’t have a gas strut fitted, especially when they have a smart looking van, but then a crappy peice of elastic/string going from hab door to wing mirror, or similar. We’ve never had our hab door blow shut, or been blown open, the gas strut controls it perfectly.

 

[Lenny HB]

Are these gas struts a recent addition by manufacturers?

Nope, Carthago and other manufacturers have always fitted them.

 

[donkey]

I decided to fit one to my Swift Bolero, as the Swift stay was very much a Micky Mouse affair. It was very interesting and frustrating trying to work out what size of ram and where to position the ball pins. Got there in the end and very pleased with the result. The door opened in a controlled manner and never blew shut.

Geoff

 

[1967bowesj]

They are there to stop the door slamming in the wind, both opening and closing if left open

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[The Coops]

Have a look on e bay there are various lengths and pressures, if you can remove the old one as per the wire clip its a simple drop in replacement, I got two for under £8 delivered and they work perfectly

 

[1967bowesj]

Have a look on e bay there are various lengths and pressures, if you can remove the old one as per the wire clip its a simple drop in replacement, I got two for under £8 delivered and they work perfectly

I needed 4, first 2 well over strength lol

 

[Two on Tour]

I needed 4, first 2 well over strength lol

Would have been cheaper to use SGS and got it right first time.

 

[nicholsong]

They are there to stop the door slamming in the wind, both opening and closing if left open

Our hab door when open is close to the wing mirror mount, so we just put a bungee across to secure it.

 

[garry55]

Thanks to donkey, I have located the clips and removed both them and the gas strut with zero damage to the door trim
Have ordered a replacement from SGS as advised.
Thanks everyone for your input.

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[1967bowesj]

garry55
look for 500mm less than 200n strength.
size is best replacement but 200 is still strong.

use this link and you can work out what’s needed, ps you might need to swap the ball ends.
Autocruise use 8mm rod diameter rams!!

Link for rams

john

 

[garry55]

garry55
look for 500mm less than 200n strength.
size is best replacement but 200 is still strong.

use this link and you can work out what’s needed, ps you might need to swap the ball ends.
Autocruise use 8mm rod diameter rams!!

Link for rams

john

Thanks John
I have ordered a strut from SGS with the same stroke as the original. I have also ordered new rod ends as I couldn't remove the one from the strut body.
The strut I have taken off has a 6mm rod diameter. It is dated 01/07, so assume it is the original fitment.

 

[1967bowesj]

Crazy, mines a 2007 stargazer but it has 8mm rod, at least you will get it sorted

 

[RustyRuss]

I fitted one of these to keep the hab door open. Had to file a couple of ramps into the leading edges of the male component so it slotted in with having to bang the door against it. It works really well, worth every penny of about £5.

Cheers!

Russ

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00NNYE9KW/?tag=mhf04-21

 

[nicholsong]

I fitted one of these to keep the hab door open. Had to file a couple of ramps into the leading edges of the male component so it slotted in with having to bang the door against it. It works really well, worth every penny of about £5.

Cheers!

Russ

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00NNYE9KW/?tag=mhf04-21

We have similar but they 'rot' in about 3 years of UVR exposure and need replacing.

There is a better metal version in which the door part has a 'T' end which drops into a slot on the van end and has to be lifted up to release .Much more wind proof.

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[RustyRuss]

Couldn’t find any of the t shaped ones at the time, we were in France and I bought it in the French equivalent of B&Q, Mr Bricolage I think!

 

[ItaMotorhomer]

There you go

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Hi garry55

Sorry I know it’s an old post but we’re in the same position as you now. Did you manage to buy one that matched the original as from your photos it looks exactly like ours. I’ve placed an order with SGS after contacting Burstner who said they no longer make this type of strut but gave me a comaotipart number which SGS matched with an hab door gas strut from a bursther i647 elegance. So placed an order it arrived today but they are slightly different a bit shorter (about 1cm) and also the replacement doesn’t have the - retaining door opened functionality the original when fully extended had a notch in the end to keep the door in the open position if you know what I mean ?)

 

[garry55]

Yes - but the first one I ordered wasn't strong enough for the job in hand. If my memory serves me well, the second strut (still fitted and working good) was 200nm strength. I can open the hab door from the inside on a windy day and it still opens in a smooth, controlled manner. Surprised to see how many modern moho's don't have gas struts on their hab doors.

 

[ItaMotorhomer]

Yes - but the first one I ordered wasn't strong enough for the job in hand. If my memory serves me well, the second strut (still fitted and working good) was 200nm strength. I can open the hab door from the inside on a windy day and it still opens in a smooth, controlled manner. Surprised to see how many modern moho's don't have gas struts on their hab doors.

Where did you get yours from please if you don’t mind me asking?

Condo you share the part number or link if possible?

Thank you so much
Sil

 

[Jev88]

SGS also supply over powered gas struts and believe it or not you open and shut a valve to reduce the pressure down to what feels right ....... But if you go too far they have to be sent back to be re-pressurised