Replacing over-cab bed gas springs - advice needed

[Mike4727]

As per above I am replacing the gas struts on the bed in my Mirage A class van. As far as I can see this replacement can only be carried out with the bed in the lowered position and where the struts are in the compressed situation. These struts are rated at 1000N which I understand means that a force of at least 100kg is required to compress them. Is there a special tool to use for compressing these struts and holding them in the compressed position until bolts and nuts are safely in position ? Has anyone here actually carried out this procedure that can give any advices and/or tips please. A mistake made with such highly compressed strut could be dangerous and expensive I reckon. All help appreciated as always.

 

[tonyidle]

There was a recent thread about the job. I'm not familiar with your particular vehicle but the usual method is to lift the bed higher than normal so the struts are fully extended then remove & replace them - an easy task once the struts aren't under pressure. If the fasteners are hard to reach with the bed up they can be undone with it lowered. Once up they can be removed then replaced and done up fully with the bed lowered once more.

 

[Mike4727]

Thanks Tony, I thought I had seen a thread on this a few months ago but searching did not find it. My preliminary investigations have almost convinced me that there is no access to the strut fixings at high level but I need to look at that again, maybe some trims need removing to create better access, keeps me busy - good therapy