I'm tired of having my few brains left bashed out by this damn hatch! It'll stay up for a while, then when you least expect it-WHAMO-concussion time while I'm trying to fix tail lights. The pistons on mazdatrix are kind of pricey, what are you guys replacing yours with?

 

check the ones from Victoria British. I think they're 16.95(US) each. better yet, go to the junkyard and find some there.

 

I have this same problem. I hold mine up with a old solid antenna.

When it is really hot and humid. The pistons work.

What if you put that special high milage engine oil on them to swell the seals. or that stop leak stuff. I am going to try that.

 

I tried the boneyard, those were worse than mine. Autozone has some, don't know if they fit or are strong enough, though.

 

Just go to freakin' Pep Boys or O'Reilly's or Autozone and get one of the aftermarket struts there...I think it's "Hi-Lift" or something stupid like that. The important thing is that you only need one. Put it on the side opposite where the defroster bracket slides on the strut (ie., leave the factory one on for the slower ones in the group...) and enjoy an unbruised head, once again. The nice part about this arrangement is that it has a lifetime warranty, so you buy one and you're done...why does it always have to be complicated?? I been drinkin' a little, so excuse me if I'm tearin' like sterling does...

 

I've got the best solution.... Both of mine have leaked out their fluid so they do nothing at all.. I got a small plastic tie and put it around the shaft. Slide it down to hold it open and then just move it away and it will close. Since it is oily on mine it slides easily, but it never moves on its own so no worries of it falling. You could put one on each side to be extra safe

 

Sounds like a plan..soon as I get the car back from the carb rebuilding guy, I'm off to autozone.
Boozin' in the middle of the week...more man than I am.

 

Please, oh, please tell me you're joking...

 

Im not Joking! the plastic ties are trimmed so u barely see them,,,, it looks good as long as they are black to match

 

The ties are a good idea for a temp fix..I was using a 'C' clamp on the piston shaft. Long term though, I'd rather do a 'real' fix. Thanks for the tips!

 

I keep a small set of vise-grips in the trunk and just put them on one of the struts, VB just reduced the price to $20 each so I'm gonna get them

 

It just keeps getting better...all of you guys area also running the Carter fuel pump, too, right?

 

I just wear a helmet .

~T.J.

 

porsche 944 struts fit perfectly and are much cheaper

 

Porsche parts, cheaper? Did I read that right?

 

Mike - you are wise to try and get that fixed, since the problem goes from annoying to concussion-inducing when you factor in the louvers.

Armen

 

Hmm Armen, didn't factor in the louvers! It could be days before the kids find my decomposing body hanging half-way our the rear end of the rex!

 

Go to any location that sells StrongArm (Carquest, Pep Boys.)

If you don't have a wiper on the back, you need two struts (StrongArm part# 4709) <- direct fit. If you have a wiper, just get one, it's strong enough to hold the hatch up. Heck, even Crappy tire in Canada sells 'em

 

Strong Arm is the strut I'm talikng about, thanks for doing the leg work to get the actual product name...and again, I repeat....

............................

 

These shocks are $42 each on mazdatrix. Is it worth these workarounds and the pain in the but to save the $82?

Just spring for it. You'll be glad you have working ones.

 

You only need one Strong-Arm and it's at your local auto parts store so you don't pay shipping as well. Save the money for a quality fuel pump like the Mallory Comp110 if you want to be a high-roller. At least that way, your money will be working for you every time you turn the ignition key....

 

Heh heh...He's on to me.

The first step, ya know, is admitting you have a problem- Or so I've been told.

On further making life complicated, I'm lucky enough to actually have extra struts that are good. I've been wondering how to apply the same geometry to the hood. My wifes Bimmer has struts in the hood.

Yeah-Nawww...That's stupid!

 

i bought some at advance auto parts. they're strong enough to hold my louvers up. now if i can just get the hatch to pop up enough that my skinny fingers can get under it..........

 

Yeah my fingers are just barely small enough, and in the winter with gloves it's impossible. If I ever get a welder ( and learn how to use it ) I'm going to make the "RX-7" logo latch cover into a little handle. Side view would look like this... < ....open to the rear to stick my big fingers in.

Armen

 

This actually a good idea...if they can use a strut style lift for truck hoods, surely a light RX-7 hood could be strut-propped...