You may not have noticed, but there are softly closing doors and smoothly lowering lids everywhere. Gas struts can be found in a variety of applications, including cabinets, office chairs, food, medical, manufacturing, aerospace, and industrial equipment, caravans, trucks, cars, and more.

They're used to control the motion of things like lids, doors, and covers and provide support for lifting, lowering, positioning, and counterbalancing. Now that we’ve mentioned it, you’ll start seeing them more.

In your everyday road vehicle, they're most commonly used on tailgates, boots, and bonnets, but you'll also find them in other automotive systems you might not have thought of, such as drive belts and foot-operated handbrakes.

If your gas struts need replacing, you might be wondering what brand of gas struts is best for your vehicle?

We hands-down have a favourite brand of gas struts – we recommend Stabilus.

Why?

While Stabilus is a German company that makes excellently engineered products in Europe, they also have a manufacturing facility located right here in Australia. In fact, it's been operating in Dingley, southeast Melbourne and providing jobs for Australians since 1986.

Not only does Stabilus support the local Australian economy, but they also meet international standards in manufacturing quality and sustainability. And Stabilus is the original strut supplier for most European car manufacturers. If you're looking to replace gas struts in your vehicle, you can't go wrong with the Stabilus Lift-O-Mat with Dynamic Damping range.

Stabilus Lift-O-Mat with Dynamic Damping

There are many different types of Stabilus Lift-O-Mat struts, but we particularly love their Dynamic Damping system. Dynamic Damping struts have a groove in the pressure cylinder that determines the damping properties. The motion speed can be varied over the entire stroke and be continuously slowed to a stop. In other words, Dynamic Damping will stop your boot from slamming shut or flying open. It ensures you get a "soft close".

Dynamic Damping requires special tooling for production, so it's a technology only available from Stabilus. Most other brands of gas struts on the market just have a constant ejection force over the entire operating range, which leads to slamming. Other types of gas struts in the Lift-O-Mat range include electrically driven/spindle drive struts like those you'll find in new model vehicles where the boot closes with the push of a button.

Replacing vs recharging gas struts

We often get asked: "Why would you replace a gas strut when you can just have them recharged, and for less cost"?

If a gas strut is not working, it's usually because the nitrogen gas has leaked. And the way gas usually leaks is around the piston seal. Gas struts contain compressed nitrogen because it’s non-flammable and inert. To recharge the gas, it is simply forced back through the seal between the piston and the body of the strut. But if the seal is already compromised, gas will just leak out again, and the life of your gas strut will be shorter than a new one. This will only cost you more money in the long run.

How long will a gas strut last?

Gas struts fail because of wear and tear and loss of pressure in the cylinder. Temperature, especially if it's extreme, can also have an impact on the pressure and affect the seal. It only requires a small decrease in pressure for a gas strut to start to fail. Generally, struts can start to lose efficiency after about five years, so it’s a good idea to check if they are still lifting and supporting the boot or bonnet around the five-year mark. It’s best to check the efficiency of your struts on a cold morning because when struts are cold, they will have less force than when warm.

Can I replace gas struts myself?

Yes. Replacing a gas strut is simple, but you’ll need a helper to hold the bonnet/boot open for you. Gas struts are fixed at the top and bottom with either an eyelet and clip or a ball socket and clip. Make sure you have the correct strut for your vehicle before you begin.

Do your gas struts need replacing? At Run Auto Parts, we sell a massive range of Stabilus gas struts, so you'll be sure to find the right replacement part for your vehicle. Use the 'Search by Function' feature on our website to find what you're looking for.

If you can’t find the strut to fit your vehicle, contact our customer service team, and we can order it for you.

Removal / Installation Instructions

If additional instructions are packaged with this lift support, read them, as well as those described here. Read CAUTION statements completely.
Note old lift support’s position on vehicle. Unless otherwise stated new lift support must be positioned the same way. Also, new end fittings must be positioned to match old lift support.
Carefully disconnect electrical terminals from old lift support, if so equipped.
Remove old lift support one end at a time and one side of the vehicle at a time. Follow instructions for end fitting type as described below. Do not discard any hardware.
Install new lift support one end at a time, following instructions described below. Be sure hardware is securely tightened and electrical terminals are attached.
Two people may be needed for removal and installation.

PLASTIC BALL SOCKET

Remove ball socket end by prying back metal spring clip with a small screwdriver while lightly pulling lift support away from mounting stud. Be careful not to detach spring clip when removing lift support.
Install new lift support end fitting by pushing socket against mounting stud until it snaps into place.

METAL BALL SOCKET

On these sockets with a metal wire clip, use a small screwdriver to lift wire at base of ball socket. Slide wire out of ball socket and remove socket from mounting stud.
Some vehicles use metal sockets that do not permit removal of ball stud. For these applications, additional hardware and instructions are included.
Install new lift support by placing ball socket onto mounting stud. Secure with original wire spring clip. EYELETES WITH MOUNTING BOLTS
Unscrew mounting bolt using proper tool and remove lift support.
Spring Clip – Using a small screwdriver, pry each spring clip tab, one at a time, until they both clear groove in mounting stud. Install new lift support by pushing end fitting onto mounting stud until spring clip tabs seat themselves into groove.

SKU	S849426
Ships In	4 Weeks
Brand	Stabilus

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