SuperAmerica Roof Struts

I just wanted to let you know that when my SA gets its annual service in April, I will be changing the short gas struts in the roof turning mechanism. They are no longer able to help keep the trunk open when the roof is open. This is a good indicator that they are fading.

This will be the second time of changing them, so their life on average, for me appears to be about 3-4 years.

I have written in earlier threads about this and the ease and low cost in which the local agent replaced them, so it is not too much of a problem. However, I wish I could get a couple of uprated matching struts that would be a bit beefier and therefore I presume would last longer?

Just thought I would let you all know.

Regards
PAUL

 

Aah! back to the old debate!!

Not quite sure where you get that number though? I believe those (#63701800) are the struts for the Hood, not the trunk.

The last time this happened 3-4 years ago it was for both trunk and roof mechanism. At that time the #69059300 struts (parts diagrams page 117 #2) would not even hold the trunk open without the roof lying on it and so I changed them. I changed both #69059300 on each side myself. As you say, easy and inexpensive. I did the Hood struts #63701800 too, just because they also were sagging.

That fixed the trunk, but alone they were not enough to do both trunk and roof lying on it.

I had to get the local dealer to replace both #69271600 struts in the roof mechanism at that time and that fixed the whole thing. What I am saying now is that whilst the #63701800 struts appear to be still working fine, the shorter #69271600 struts (page 119 #27) are going again and need replacing. Therefore I deduce their life expectancy is only good for 3-4 years at a stretch each time. Having them changed was not that dificult or expensive but left it to the dealer to do.
Total cost (in Hong Kong) was just over US$1,000.

Hope that explains?

Thanks
PAUL

 

Hi Tassie
Thanks for those comments.
However, I think you may be misunderstanding the issue. Trunk and Hood struts as you say, no problem.
But, the SA folding roof (the bit missing from the Barchetta) is a bit more complicated.

Within the roof mechanism are another two small gas spring struts which assist with opening and closing. To change these, you need to dismantle the roof mechanism, which requires tools and not just my wife's fair hands to assist.

Thanks anyway.
PAUL

 

Maybe next time (or if struts prove tougher to obtain, this time)!
Thanks
PAUL

 

Thanks
The nice thing about Hong Kong is the weather is never that cold. All year use of the car!
I probably also told you before I never drive the car with the roof closed except when I get caught in the rain. I think that also helps prevent the glass delamination too. My roof glass is stil in perfect condition.
PAUL

 

BTW I read up on gas struts and their performance (pressure) is a function of outside temperature too, which explains why the trunk tends to stay up longer when the temp is warmer than colder. Perhaps a few more psi in the struts from new might make them a bit more robust? That might be a longer term solution if we can get them beefed up or buy beefier strust that fit?
PAUL

 

#69271600 is the part number for the inside struts. Had them changed once already, 3-4 years ago. See above. Paul