Lift struts frozen?

Hey ... this is probably a stupid question, but here goes.

I just bought new lift struts for my XJ, and they seem to have completely freezed up. I took them out of the package, and can't move them at all. Can't compress them, can't extend them.

They are Strong Arm brand gas-filled struts, and they've both been frozen since they arrived. No luck at all.

Am I missing something?

We used to install various types of those in a shop where I worked. It is hard to do, but try twisting the shaft with pliers, careful not to damage the shaft. "lefty loosey".

Spdloader

"Robert" wrote in message news: snipped-for-privacy@bresnan.com...

Problem solved ...

I just put a phone book on one end of it and sat on it, giving about 190 lbs of pressure. It finally budged a little. It's just really tight when new. After the first compression, it seemed a little easier.

"Robert" wrote in message news: snipped-for-privacy@bresnan.com... : Problem solved ... : : I just put a phone book on one end of it and sat on it, giving about 190 lbs : of pressure. It finally budged a little. It's just really tight when new. : After the first compression, it seemed a little easier. :

*over the glasses look*

Ok, now THAT is an interesting mental picture!

KJK

I'm an ER Nurse.. I can just see it now... and how did you get THAT stuck in THERE?? ~D

Maybe I'm having a senior moment, do you mean "longer shock absorbers" when you say "lift struts'?

"Robert" wrote in message news: snipped-for-privacy@bresnan.com...

Matt,

Back door opening devices. They keep it from falling on your head. These things are amazing. The ones on my YJ still work, and I still can't believe that any kind of seal would hold gas pressure that long.

Earle

When I bought replacement struts for the lift gate on our ZJ, I couldn't move them at all (call it frozen.) I had to practically pry them onto the mounts, but once I got them in place (with great difficulty) they worked perfectly. They are just very resistive to movement. Have to be because of their small size.

If they are fully extended already, you will have to work pretty hard to compress them. If they are not extended yet, they are tied closed (compressed) and you're not going to compress them any more, nor will you be able to pull them open.

"Robert" wrote in message news: snipped-for-privacy@bresnan.com...

ROTFLMAO!!!

Rear hatch/window struts. Helps keep from getting bonked on the head

Matt Macchiarolo proclaimed:

Hey ... the phone book was 3 inches thick ... no bum cracks plz. LOL.

By the time I realized how that description would sound, it was already posted.

Time to change my log> > "Robert" wrote in

"bum cracks"??? You're just ASKING for it! ;) _____________________________________________________________________

2003 TJ Rubicon * 2001 XJ Sport * 1971 Bill Stroppe Baja Bronco

"There is a very fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness'."

Pronunciation: 'jEp Function: noun Date: 1940

Etymology: from g. p. (G= 'Government' P= '80 inch wheelbase') A small general-purpose motor vehicle with 80" wheelbase, 1/4-ton capacity and four-wheel drive used by the U.S. army in World War II. _____________________________________________________________________

Robert wrote:

Gotcha...

Matt Macchiarolo did pass the time by typing:

That seal is the result of years of study of over 1,000 politicians around the world.

Hi Robert:

I need a new set, just curious where you purchased your set and how much you paid? Thanks

"Robert" wrote in message news: snipped-for-privacy@bresnan.com...

Carley Simon did pass the time by typing:

...

Yep. Your missing the 100+ lbs of force required to compress them. :)

Once you put them on the door, they will compress.

Get someone to help hold the door when your working on it or your arms are going to get mighty tired.

I had the same problem, but no helper. I propped the hatch open with a

2x4 and shimmed until the strut was an easy fit. The second strut is much easier.

Merrill

DougW wrote: