"Ultimate strut" - slick idea

[Craig 930 RS]

http://www.seinesystems.com/Ult-Strut-Front.htm



These are really well made.
And for you lightweight freaks out there.........shave some 'weight'

I've got one, replaces the sucky gas struts that go limp in a year -

[304065]

LOL at that photo. . . someone's gone to great trouble to delete the defroster housing, the ducts and the smugglers box lid. . . and then leaves the original gas strut in place!

Sherwood?

[911pcars]

Hi John,
Not mine (car that is). This RGruppe owner is on a weight loss program. You forgot to mention the 15 lb. Oddysey battery in the smuggler's box in lieu of heavier alternatives.

This pic was taken soon after installation. The support assembly adds <3.5 oz., but once he loses the two gas struts, he'll be about 9 oz. lighter. I think the next thing was the glove box door delete project.

Missing from the picture is the ubiquitous broom handle which weighs in at about 1 lb. A show of hands of those using broom handles? 2x4's?

Sick,
Sherwood

[greglepore]

Saw these the other day on your page, and thought they were the cats ass. Will one hold up a weighty tail, say a 3.8 RS?

[Chuck Moreland]

Shouldn't that title be "Stick Idea"?

[Oldporsche]

Broom stick here.
David Duffield

[911pcars]

"Will one hold up a weighty tail, say a 3.8 RS?"

Greg,
A unit hasn't had the pleasure of supporting one yet, although we've got a kit for the rear of 911/912s. One of the guys here adapted one to support his 993 turbo tail. Is that close?

Got a pic of your rear hinge layout you can show me? How much does your weighty tail ... weigh?

Sherwood

[Jim Richards]

I have both the front and rear "Ultimate Struts" that Sherwood developed. I like them a lot! From Fall through Spring, my gas struts were often ineffective, and they were less than 2 years old. I'm so glad to pitch them in the trash and switch to Sherwood's struts.

[bertj]

The photo was taken right after I installed Sherwood's strut. I didn't have time to remove the old hood shocks. They are now out now as well as the glove box door and ash tray. Sherwood's kit is nice and light. Easy to install.

As you can see from the photo, my car is a work in progress. I also had some aluminum plates made to cover the oval holes where the heat traveled into the passenger compartment and the hood vent. I haven't finished everything yet, but my deadline is the R-Gruppe event in Monterey at the end of April.

I'll post a photo when it's done.

[Zeke]

I don't see any reason to remove the old gas struts unless they are leaking. At my age, any assistance is welcome. However, like everyone else, I really don't like things crashing down on my head.

I have seen these in person and they are awesome. Again, only reason to remove anything would be for a few onces of weight savings. Skip Mickey D's one day and that's covered.

I will admit that the offset lone gas strut in my engine bay really pisses me off. For me, it's 2 or none. Jacking the lid and distorting it is not my idea of good engineering. I would buy one of Sherwood's rear models to solve that poorly thought out situation.

356 guys, pay attention. Disable the ratchets on the hoods and get these.

[island911]

Originally posted by Chuck Moreland
Shouldn't that title be "Stick Idea"?

Chuck


Hmmm. .. wouldn't anyone worried about weight difference between that stick and the factory gas struts, think they could shave a few more ounces by having NO strut?

I mean the gas struts are pretty light.

[greglepore]

Sherwood-its on standard (3.2 Carrera) hinges, but I go thru at least one HD and one standard gas shock each season, which just seems wasteful-have taken to carrying a piece of pvc behind the front seats. Suspect yours would work, and would solve the problem of the HD setup being too much for the normal decklid that gets put on once in a while, although I'd need two of the props.

I doubt its any heavier than a turbo tail.

[Bill Verburg]

While I think Sherwood has another great product, patterened after the oem RS versions. I got my own fully adjustable, light weight stick

[ianc]

I do need something like this. For $20 -$25 I would have been all over it, but $40 plus S&H... Hmmm...

ianc

[911pcars]

Ianc,
If you want to support the front and rear, buy both for a slight break, or buddy up with someone who wants the other end. There's a one year limited product warranty that says the support will not collapse when you least expect it; 30 day money back if you're not completely satisfied (really).

What is the warranty on a pair of gas struts at $25-$30? I never asked the supplier, but a brand new pair of hood shocks (I think $35 at the time) gave up 6 months after installation. You'd think I was opening and closing the hood 12 times a day. Nope. Car was being rebuilt and it sat with the hood closed (or was it open?).

This is not for everyone, so I won't argue if you don't see a need.

Sherwood

[911pcars]

"... the problem of the HD setup being too much for the normal decklid that gets put on once in a while, although I'd need two of the props."

Greg,
If you swap deck lids AND hinges, yeah I guess you'd maybe want one for each. If you swap deck lids on the same hinge set, you'd need just one since it mounts on the hinge.

---------------

I don't see a problem with leaving the old gas struts installed. They do help lift the weight a little, even worn ones. The problem is new ones don't seem to last long enough to perform their primary duty. This includes hoods that also have lights and bras hanging on them.

Bill,
You have the multi-purpose support - can also hold the engine at 6000 rpm when checking ignition timing.

The people present exhibit A:


I must have missed the PVC examples. :-)

[Chuck Moreland]

The magnet is a clever idea. However I have a fiberglass hood / tail.

How well does it stay in position on 'glass? Or does the recepticle get glued to the hood?

[Bill Verburg]

Bill,You have the multi-purpose support - can also hold the engine at 6000 rpm when checking ignition timing.

also useful for swatting various pests

[911pcars]

"The magnet is a clever idea. However I have a fiberglass hood / tail. How well does it stay in position on 'glass? Or does the recepticle get glued to the hood?"

Chuck,
Thanks. The issue with composite, lightweight hoods is that they are light enough that a stiff breeze can lift the hood and cause the support (e.g. broom handle) to fall and damage something or your head.

I suggest trimming the tube so it supports the hood with a slight tension against the hinge stops. The magnetic receptacle, which provides a slip-resistance "divot" can be attached to the underside using silicon sealant, or optionally, not used.

Here's John Dilger's POC track car with his recently-installed composite hood. He opted to install the hardware in the 1st instead of the suggested 2nd factory bolt hole. Either one works.



John chose to use just the cushioned vinyl tip - no magnet; the support tube ends up anywhere he wants for support.

The support tube for the engine lid swings downward from its storage position. The tube has a foot that rests in one of the motor mount bolts (socket head bolt supplied). I haven't tested the rear kit on every tail variation. The heaviest thus far is on a 993 turbo.

Regards,
Sherwood

[POKDUB]

Originally posted by bertj
The photo was taken right after I installed Sherwood's strut. I didn't have time to remove the old hood shocks. They are now out now as well as the glove box door and ash tray. Sherwood's kit is nice and light. Easy to install.

As you can see from the photo, my car is a work in progress. I also had some aluminum plates made to cover the oval holes where the heat traveled into the passenger compartment and the hood vent. I haven't finished everything yet, but my deadline is the R-Gruppe event in Monterey at the end of April.

I'll post a photo when it's done.

Bert,

I am interested in the work you seem to have done on the Shock Tower. Did you get attach a reinforcement panel. I have to repair mine. Please give details.

Rgds
Peter O'Kelly