Boot Gas Struts

[neiloid]

I've noticed that in cold weather the gas struts on my '06 Leon don't hold up the tailgate. Is there a repair for this or is it a case of buying and fitting new struts?

What price for the struts and is it an easy DIY job?

Thanks in advance.

 

[coggie]

I had mine re-gassed, quick efficient service from

http://www.sgs-engineering.com/gas-struts/re-gassing-service?gclid=CIiit6zX9LMCFcbLtAod_VAAHQ

 

[neiloid]

Thanks for the quick reply. Could you tell me how long ago you had this done and how much it cost?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Benjic2]

Gas struts struggle in cold weather due to the temperature. The higher the temperature the greater the pressure in the cylinder due to the gas explanding, therefore a stronger strut. Opposite happenes in cold weather where there is less pressure in the cylinder because the gas molecules have less kinetic energy and therefore can easily be compressed.

 

[neiloid]

Gas struts struggle in cold weather due to the temperature. The higher the temperature the greater the pressure in the cylinder due to the gas explanding, therefore a stronger strut. Opposite happenes in cold weather where there is less pressure in the cylinder because the gas molecules have less kinetic energy and therefore can easily be compressed.

Thanks Benjic, I understand the physics just fine but the problem has never happened in either the front bonnet or rear tailgates struts on my TT and the rear tailgate is much heavier on the TT - which lead me to thinking they need regas or replacement.

SGS regas and sell their own replacements for £13.99 + VAT so I'm tempted to go for them.

 

[bigbadjay]

While were on to struts... Had a really bad creeking boot lid was annoying the sh!t out of me, had a pull and a shake of the struts, still creeky, turns out it was the parcel shelf where the clips rest... FFS. Ragged it now sorted.

 

[coggie]

I reckon it's got to be 2 years since I had mine done, SGS did mark the struts with the pressure they regassed to and the date. They can up the gas pressure, but you'd best talk it through with them.

IIRC I paid around £30-£35 for the regas and return postage.

 

[Jarre]

I reckon it's got to be 2 years since I had mine done, SGS did mark the struts with the pressure they regassed to and the date. They can up the gas pressure, but you'd best talk it through with them.

IIRC I paid around £30-£35 for the regas and return postage.

That's the same as brand new struts!

 

[coggie]

Yeah, but I had more gas put in my struts, so they shouldn't struggle after 4 years like they did from new.

 

[Jarre]

Yeah, but I had more gas put in my struts, so they shouldn't struggle after 4 years like they did from new.

Fair enough. I have the gas strut mod so I have skoda octavia with boot spoiler struts in mine.

The temperature really does have a lot to do with it (physics), they really aren't as powerful in this cold weather!