Anyone know a cheap source of tailgate struts?

[RichardN]

Hi all,

Does anyone have a (non-lotus) source of the tailgate struts for an 88 Turbo? I seem to remember that there was a thread on the G-car room about some very cheap ones for the older shape but I have no idea if these would fit the S-cars.

One of mine was broken when a "friend" shut the tailgate by leaning all his weight on it (there should be a warning sign - "Keep idiots away from your car"). I mananged for the past 7 years with just the other one but that has now died and the tailgate doesn't go up or stay up anymore! You don't realise how tricky it is putting things in the back of an Esprit with one hand (or while balancing the tailgate on your head) until you have to.

Any pointers appreciated.

Richard

[Mark Blanchard]

Have you tried www.douglasvalley.co.uk. They've got an 88 Turbo there. I fitted an SE strut, which is slightly different but works fine.

[Goose]

Have you tried www.douglasvalley.co.uk. They've got an 88 Turbo there. I fitted an SE strut, which is slightly different but works fine.

There are a few old posts about struts... I seem to remember that there are a number of alternatives available for the S-cars but I could be making it up! Do a search back through old posts. If it is any help I took mine to a scrap yard and found some struts off an old Volvo that work perfectly. Good luck.

Edited January 2, 2007 by Goose

[CNH]

Jim Mcfadden ex G car owner used to an after market clip that is fitted to a weak strut. It attached to the strut and rides on the outer case, when the strut was fully extended it would snap or click into place locking the strut in the open position. to close the strut you lift up a tad and depressed the clip and the tailgate would be lowered.

[RichardN]

Thanks for the replies guys (hey - that rhymes!)

I have got myself sorted now so thanks for the help.

Richard

[matk]

C'mon Richard,

What was your solution?

[s4simon]

Better late than never.

Just saw these on ebay

Esprit Struts

So there must be alternatives about.

[DanR]

Check the Stabilus (Germany) site as they are the OEM suppliers. Give them the part number that is stamped on the originals. Took about 6 weeks to make and send to Sydney but I know they are the correct pressure etc. They were only a little more (AUD $160 with postage) than going for an aftermarket alternative that may have had too much or too little pressure.

[RichardN]

Hi Mat,

Sorry to be boring but I ended up getting them from my local Lotus dealer for

[Gooner]

Just for the next who needs these.

Genuine ones are

[fmxa]

FWIW - I replaced mine by a reference on the stevens parts list, cost me $12 each and they work like a charm.

[brucet]

FWIW - I replaced mine by a reference on the stevens parts list, cost me $12 each and they work like a charm.

You can also get them from JAE Parts in Goleta California (jaeparts.com) for about US$30 each. I just got a pair a few months ago. No "aftermarket" worries about fit, either. Handy for the USA contingent, anyway.

Brucet