gas struts for rear hatch

[timrosser]

Are there any after market gas struts that could actually lift the 480 glass hatch? I'm assuming that this is what happened when the 480 left the factory, anyone out there done a replacement?

[glasgowjim]

yes + not expensive

[glasgowjim]

Now I am home from work the threadf you want to read is......

http://volvo480.northernscum.org.uk/for ... 17&t=17434

this has the answer you seek obi wan.....

from the kind heart of cerberus

[Captain Slow]

I used a compant called ''struts direct'' to replace mine when I got the car. I had no problems with 'em

[timrosser]

you guys are mustard! Thanks!

T

[timrosser]

went on very easy, thanks for the link guys!

[Ade]

go to your local scrapyard and get some off a peugeot 206. Perfect.

[Van]

go to your local scrapyard and get some off a Peugeot 206. Perfect.

Do you have these on your car, Ade? Are they from a 3-door, 5-door or station wagon?

[Ade]

Yes i do have them on my turbo and they fit wonderfully considering they're off a completely different car! They hold it up better than the volvo one's anyway. They came off a circa 1998 hatchback peugeot 206. Paid a fiver for the pair.

Plus you can take pleasure in destroying a scrap peugeot even further!!

My peugeot 306 caused nothing but misery. Head gasket, steering rack, ball joints, drop links, the list could go on and on! 480's a much better car.

[Ade]

Sorry, you said three or five door. They're no different mate as long as its a hatchback not the stationwagon.

[strongtom]

I'm sure you will have sorted this by now! however I just banged on one strut from a 940 estate from the scrapies (£2) on one side and left the other old one on, it could pretty much lift it from fully closed (i.e. just a tickle required to send it on its way up) only worry was that when closing I would be putting torsion on the hinge so I used to close it putting most force through one side. Maybe open for some criticism but it worked better than fine for me and no fuss.

[Macaroon]

Yes i do have them on my turbo and they fit wonderfully considering they're off a completely different car! They hold it up better than the volvo one's anyway. They came off a circa 1998 hatchback peugeot 206.

Ade, if you're still following this thread... Great tip, but how are they working out for you long term?

It would certainly be cheaper than sourcing Volvo ones but I'd be worried about compatibility issues:

The 206 struts have the correct travel (20cm or so) but are are a few cm shorter at full extension - do you have any problem with loading?

More to the point, the Peugeot struts are rated at 360 N each (from what I can tell) whereas the Volvo 480 ones are rated at 200 N each when new... Now, that's 80% extra lifting force, roughly equivalent to an extra 33 kg load in the system! I'd be worried they might damage something eventually.

Have you experienced any problems closing the tailgate or noticed wear to the fixings / bolts / balljoints / latch / hinges...?

Thanks

Macaroon

[Van]

I was unable to locate these and I got me one from Estate Services.

[Macaroon]

Thanks. There are actually some good deals in the uk right now. I have seen new struts at £23 per pair including postage (don't have the details with me but will look them up if anybody wants). But Peugeot ones come in even cheaper.

[Ulrika480]

I bought mine from this company. Was a bit dubious due to the location, but good feedback and they arrived quickly. £26.50 for Magnetti Marelli ones

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1986-1996-Vol ... 20ce38b851