Why only a single shock on decklid?

[myslateblue911]

I have an 83' SC that has only a single shock on the decklid to keep it up when open. The thing that is irritating is that this makes the decklid cockeyed when open because there is pressure being applied on one side only (drivers side). Apparently, there is not a set of holes on the other side to simply add a shock to the other side to help straighten out when it is up.

I am wondering if anyone has come up with a solution for this admittedly small irritation?

I noticed on some of the 356 outlaw builds that when you open the decklid there is a piece that "locks" in place to keep it open. That seems like a sensible solution.

I also refer to the recent post "billet decklid hinge?". I noticed some cool billet decklid hinges available. When people install these, do they simply go with the single shock set up giving them the cockeyed look? Or do they do something else to keep the decklid up when open?

[turbo owner]

Usually, a car without a spoiler has 1, a car with one has 2 shocks, one on each side.

[sugarwood]

I think the added 2nd shock on the driver's side was a dealer hack to compensate for the tail.
I have read that some people welded a plate to the passenger side hinge to install one shock on both sides.

[sc_rufctr]

This is the OEM solution.

[cabmandone]

Because a Porsche engineer thinks it's funny when the deck lid comes down and hits you in the head. It's the same reason they put such weak shocks up front as well.

[myslateblue911]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

This is the OEM solution.

Please explain the "oem solution" pictured here.


Thanks

[Bill Douglas]

My '79SC has two.

[75 911s]

^ I think he means this is an OEM bracket on the passenger side (for a car with a wing). If you look at the bottom mounting point, the shock mounts to that. you just can't see it because it's hidden in darkness and the air filter housing.

If your decklid is cockeyed as you say is it out of adjustment? I only have one and it looks normal when open. How are your gaps when closed?

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by myslateblue911

Please explain the "oem solution" pictured here.


Thanks

The pictures above are of a local Cab that had a tail from the Factory. I asked the owner about the extra bit on the hinge and he told me it came that way from Porsche. This was about 16 years ago. The camera I took those photos with was one of the first Sony digital cameras that used a floppy drive.

[myslateblue911]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

The pictures above are of a local Cab that had a tail from the Factory. I asked the owner about the extra bit on the hinge and he told me it came that way from Porsche. This was about 16 years ago. The camera I took those photos with was one of the first Sony digital cameras that used a floppy drive.

My car (83' SC) has no tail - duck...whale or otherwise

Anyone have a solution for possibly removing the shock (ala 356) or something else to give the decklid a clean even look when up?

[sugarwood]

I think he means, where can he gets that plate to weld onto the hinge?

[cabmandone]

My car had two shocks installed on the same side. I think the PO set it up this way.

[cabmandone]

Sorry, I tried to edit the previous post but I couldn't find the option to add a picture when editing.
I'll check to see if I have pictures of some older hinges I sold. I'm thinking I sold some right side hinges that had a mount location for the shock.

[geoff_k]

A small world. I was working on my 83 SC today and noted it only had one rear deck lid shock on the left hand side. The other side had no bracket.

First time I noticed it in 5 years...

How did I notice this? .. iread deck lid came down on my hand....thankfully not too hard...
After that, used a piece of wood to ensure it didn't happen again

[JRSIII]

It's pretty easy to add a passenger side decklid shock if your car already has the clip welded to the firewall. My 88 did, as non-tail cars only came with one shock and tail cars came with two. You then need to locate a passenger side decklid hinge from a turbo car. These come with the triangular bracket as shown in the photos above. You then just need to paint the hinge to match your car and swap out with the original. You'll need a helper to hold up the decklid while you do this. Is think this would be easier than trying to fabricate and weld a bracket to your existing hinge. The shock then fits the same as the driver side. I use the heavy duty version of the shocks on both sides since I have a tail and an A/C condenser to support.

[steely]

Originally Posted by myslateblue911

.... When people install these, do they simply go with the single shock set up giving them the cockeyed look? Or do they do something else to keep the decklid up when open?

The decklid shouldn't be cockeyed if all else is ok, although I could see that happening if the shock was replaced with one having too much force, especially if the lid is FG.

The PO set mine up with 2 on one side by the way, and I added a tail so I picked up a used turbo hinge for the passenger side.

[Quickstep192]

The strut(s) is going to quit working; what difference does it make how many there are to fail? 😉

[kghjr]

Originally Posted by cabmando

Because a Porsche engineer thinks it's funny when the deck lid comes down and hits you in the head. It's the same reason they put such weak shocks up front as well.

LOL

I put a new one on the deck lid, after buying two, not even noticing there was only one, until I went to put the second one on and then I'm like, what an idiot.

I can say the new one made a huge difference, the lid goes up by itself smoothly and will not be coming down by itself.

I had the front ones on mind the whole time, so I bought two of those too...only installed one because my fat hands won't fit to get the inside clip of the driver's side. I probably should go give that another try; it's been months since the first attempt.

[pa911]

Originally Posted by kghjr

LOL



I had the front ones on mind the whole time, so I bought two of those too...only installed one because my fat hands won't fit to get the inside clip of the driver's side. I probably should go give that another try; it's been months since the first attempt.

When you put it back together. those clips are not needed, the weight of the hood and pressure of the struts keep the pins in place, unless you really want to swear a lot

[sugarwood]

This has been my experience.
Non-turbo with tail.

One strut on driver's side is not enough to hold up the deck lid when cold.

Two struts on driver's side pushes the lid seam to be uneven WHEN CLOSED.
(I'm not sure what OP even means when he says the deck lid is uneven when open)
It looks terrible since the 2 struts forcefully try to push the lid open, even when the latch is closed.

Both sides needs a plate and a welder. Beyond my scope.

I went with one strut, and a broomstick when I need to keep it open.