cossiestu

Has anyone got these on a Saff?
I know you can / could buy kits for this, but has anyone used Tailgate gas struts or they too stiff?

R4N SS

iTrader: (6)

i want to struts too as hate the bonnet stay - it always seems to be in the way when working on the car

cossiestu

Same here, plus, on the wifes car its nicer having struts.... Just wanted to know if tailgate struts (or similar) would work? Nothing as elaborate as twins set up!

iansoutham

You mean like these?

cossiestu

That's the one! I remember seeing some on a saff ages ago, fitted to one of the hinge bolts and the strut or wing... Sure they were tailgate struts? Just thinking it would be cheaper than buying a kit!?
Where did you get yours?

-beefy-

iTrader: (6)

details please ian !!!!!!!!

R4N SS

iTrader: (6)

what about the struts on E36 BMWs - they seem to be similar

cossiestu

Hmmm.... Got an E46, ill have a gander when the Mrs gets home.... Didn't think of that.

-beefy-

iTrader: (6)

Let us know stu ??

cossiestu

Bear with me matey, got in late tonight, but ill have a look tommow, if I get done early enough... Whatever its got on it, it makes it nicely weighted.... Looking at the Haynes manual, the struts look shorter than the pic above, but fitted with the usual ball joint bolts. I'll try an take them off the bm and have a bash at fitting them on the Saff, next day off.... Bear with me.
You looking at putting these on the S1?

iansoutham

I got mine off ebay for a MK1 and MK2 Mondeo. They fit perfect, although I have since painted them satin black to make them look more OEM.

If fitting to an Escort, use MK1 Golf ones. I have them on the cabby and they work fine.

cossiestu

Didn't know mondys had them.... Shows what little I've researched this!? Lol

iansoutham

Mk1 and Mk2 don't have them as standard, they are aftermarket kits to fit those models. You are after some from a car with a similar bonnet size and weight so that the struts will be the right lengths both open and closed, plus the rams need to be the right strength so they actually hold the bonnet open and not catapult it through the windscreen and not allow you to close it without bending it

fogulbennett

Any idea what kit I could use on a mk6 escort?

iansoutham

They actually used to do a kit for the MK5/6 Escort that had a special bracket for where it bolts to the shell due to the way the hinges are located. If you look around, you should be able to find some on places like ebay.

If not, I would probably go for something like a MK3 Golf kit (assuming your bonnet is not a pattern part as they are a lot lighter and will bend very easily), or something like this from a MK4/5 Fiesta

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2509367309...9#ht_500wt_966

-beefy-

iTrader: (6)

ohh you better belive it , !!

-beefy-

iTrader: (6)

you got any picture of them on the cabby mate ,

mounting brackets , and ball joint pin location ?

much appriceated

iansoutham

Only got some distance views ATM. Will get some for you next month as it will be getting ready for the shows again. Worst case, I should be on the Middlesex RSOC Stand @ Central Day so you can always check them out in person if you are there...

-beefy-

iTrader: (6)

thanks bud ,

guy selling a set on the bay for the mk 1 golf ,

think ill wait and get some measurements of yours ,

not exactly like it the last job to finish the car lol