Yeah, yeah, really dumb newbie question but........
I'm cheap cuz I have to be (married), so do I HAVE to buy new hatch hydraulic struts since mine have lost most of their lifting power? The struts hold the hatch up once it's raised but I no longer get that sexy and confident push to full open when I pull the hatch lever. Is there a fix and if there isn't whats the best (and cheapest) aftermarket replacement.
(PS: my cheap behind will be getting keyless everything one day and solonoid release is pointless if the hatch doesn't open after unlatching.)

 

i got a set ill sell ya cheap

 

Billzrx7, hit me at jerry.paris@abc.com with a price quote.

 

Welcome to the club. I have to slam the door shut to get it to where I can get my fingers under it to open it.

 

I think advance auto has replacements, I forget the part number, but the counter guy can look it up for ya. Got one for my GSL-SE once, worked like new. Seems like it was less than $20.

 

I'll check it out. Thanks.

 

Ahhh, searching for similar problems. Glad to see I'm not alone.

Mine also is sticking alot when I hit the switch. Gotta reach up behind me, push up on the Hatch a bit, then slip my fingers under it and heave and hoe. Lemme tell ya, fingers hurt after a couple times of that.

I guess I'm really reposting because it's been, what a year? since this thread was replied to..seeing if there's any new info on where to get a fix/anybody willing to sell/cheap stuff, etc.

 

They're actually gas, not hydraulic. There are companies that specialise in recharging them, and it's not all that expensive. Check the Yellow Pages.

 

Hmm, something tells me the craphole of Joplin won't have much in the way of importance, but I guess I'll give it a go..here's to hoping I can find something.

 

LOL mine was just like that too

 

i got two perfect ones at the junkyard for $20. look around.

 

Are they easy to replace? Or can sometbody as retarded as me be able to do it?

Now when I say retarded as me, I might as well have Downs when it comes to cars. That's probably going to be my MAIN fall on this car...since I can't do anything, I have to pay people to do it..*IE Replace the tranny...everything*


Anyway yeah.

 

^^hehe, sucka

yeah theyre a sinch...bolts n clips...

 

easy, even easier if you have someone to help you hold the hatch up, it's pretty heavy.

 

All the ones at junk yards around here are worse than mine, and I have to slam my door to get it open, too. Anyway, I'll have to check out getting them refilled, or whatever.

 

All the ones you get new from the discount stores are for 1st gens.... no FCs

 

what kind of places refill them? like what should i be looking for in the phone book?

 

Hey, I thought that is what the rear wiper was for! Lifting up the ailing hatch!

I would be intrested in a solution also.

 

The shocks, I read somewhere in my manual not to take them apart cause they have some kind of liquid?

 

Can't you just get some generic gas struts from a local auto parts store?

 

According to Mazdatrix: For 86-92, we have found that the factory Mazda parts are the only/best solution
http://mazdatrix.com/in-hatch.htm

 

If you need a handle, I got a rear hatch with a wiper for $40. If you come get it.

 

I used the NZ Yellow Pages website and found a few places when I looked for my wife's 626, but I honestly can't remember what I searched for. Try words like "gas struts" or hatch supports" or various combinations of those words.

It's definitely worth looking into before paying between $210 and $330 for new ones from Mazdatrix. We paid NZ$130 (~US$90) for reconditioned exchange struts for the 626, and the guy who did it said these were the most expensive type he did due to weight of the 626's hatch. They work as well as new ones.

They have gas and oil in them, but it's the gas that leaks out and needs to be recharged.

 

Please indicate if you located new rear hatch shocks.

 

I've just found company that will rebuild your struts. They are located in Canada - They can even make them a tad stronger than stock and they come with a 1 year warranty. I actually got the link from a NSX forum, and the NSX guys have had great results. The website is www.strutwise.com - They don't list the FC on the page, however I gave Frank a call and he says that he can do them. I'll be sending in 3 sets to him and will post my results.