$340 for Lift Supports!!!

Yes... $170 each is just off the chart. The Camry only had a
hatchback for 2 or 3 years in the 80's and apparently the gas lift
supports were VERY specific for that application.

A pic would be ease enough... but they look just like a generic $25
lift support with ball ends.

Thx
Dave-in-Denver

> DAMN!!! Even the ones for a Supra (MUCH more limited prod!) are available
> from CarQuest for $35 each!
>
> Can you take a pic and post a link to it?
 >> Stay informed about: $340 for Lift Supports!!! 

Excellent idea Jeff!

The guys at LiftSupportsDepot.com were very helpful and tried just
that... a slightly shorter lift strut... would just mean the hatch
does not open up to its max.

Although they have several lift supports that are a bit shorter (less
than an inch)... these also have lower strength ratings by 10 to 15
lbs. (ie. 15 to 20% less muscle) and are not likely to perform well on
my hatchback that include a wiper/motor unit.

Thx
Dave-in-Denver
 >> Stay informed about: $340 for Lift Supports!!! 

> Well that certainly sucks! On the other hand, if your current struts are
> less than 50% of capacity, a new strut that is only 15% weaker than the spec
> is an improvement. Given that prices never go down, buy two sets of struts
> today so you have the replacement on hand in a few years when the ones you
> put in today no longer hold the lid open.

This is just what I intend to do... and in addition to hoping for the
best ("hope is not a plan"), that online site said if their best
guess was too weak that they would take the part back and refund
shipping.

Was just hoping to find another guy who has the battle scars on this
already... would prefer to touch this thing just once and not dick
around with multiple attempts at a solution... other than paying $340
of course.

Thanks!
Dave-in-Denver
 >> Stay informed about: $340 for Lift Supports!!! 

wrote in message

> Dealer wants $340 for a pair of lift supports for the hatchback on my
> 1985 Camry hatchback.
> (Purchased new... 220K... still 28 mpg)
>
> Have called several parts store and online sites and no one has
> replacement parts.
>
> Looks like the production run of this model is too low for the
> aftermarket people to make these.
>
> Even LiftSupportsDepot.com does not have them or an alternative.
>
> I found an outfit in Canada that will recharge them for $125.
>
> Anyone solve this before?
>
> Thx

What about used ones from a recycling center (aka, junk yard)?

Jeff
> Dave-in-Denver
>
 >> Stay informed about: $340 for Lift Supports!!! 

On Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:21:32 -0700, dwkerschen wrote:

> Dealer wants $340 for a pair of lift supports for the hatchback on my 1985
> Camry hatchback.
> (Purchased new... 220K... still 28 mpg)
>
> Have called several parts store and online sites and no one has
> replacement parts.
>
> Looks like the production run of this model is too low for the aftermarket
> people to make these.
>
> Even LiftSupportsDepot.com does not have them or an alternative.
>
> I found an outfit in Canada that will recharge them for $125.
>
> Anyone solve this before?
>
> Thx
> Dave-in-Denver


DAMN!!! Even the ones for a Supra (MUCH more limited prod!) are available
from CarQuest for $35 each!

Can you take a pic and post a link to it?
 >> Stay informed about: $340 for Lift Supports!!! 

What are they, gold plated or something?

I get that you can't buy more of the factory spec units, but can you remove
one of the dead ones and buy another pair that is a half inch shorter? I'm
thinking that shorter will limit how far the hatch opens, but won't damage
the hatch by being too long when closed.

I can't believe there is no solution to your crisis. Having said that, I
have no clue.






wrote in message

> Dealer wants $340 for a pair of lift supports for the hatchback on my
> 1985 Camry hatchback.
> (Purchased new... 220K... still 28 mpg)
>
> Have called several parts store and online sites and no one has
> replacement parts.
>
> Looks like the production run of this model is too low for the
> aftermarket people to make these.
>
> Even LiftSupportsDepot.com does not have them or an alternative.
>
> I found an outfit in Canada that will recharge them for $125.
>
> Anyone solve this before?
>
> Thx
> Dave-in-Denver
>
 >> Stay informed about: $340 for Lift Supports!!! 

I'd check with a parts store and see if they carry generic brand lift
supports. I got some in the past and the were marketed for specific
lengths, not for specific car styles. might be worth a shot.
 >> Stay informed about: $340 for Lift Supports!!! 

On 19 Apr 2007 18:06:51 -0700, wrote:

>Yes... $170 each is just off the chart. The Camry only had a
>hatchback for 2 or 3 years in the 80's and apparently the gas lift
>supports were VERY specific for that application.
>
>A pic would be ease enough... but they look just like a generic $25
>lift support with ball ends.
>
>Thx
>Dave-in-Denver

I believe I'd go to the hardware store and get a wooden dowel....LOL


>
>> DAMN!!! Even the ones for a Supra (MUCH more limited prod!) are available
>> from CarQuest for $35 each!
>>
>> Can you take a pic and post a link to it?
>
>
>



--

Scott in Florida
 >> Stay informed about: $340 for Lift Supports!!! 

wrote in
@p77g2000hsh.googlegroups.com:

> Dealer wants $340 for a pair of lift supports for the hatchback on my
> 1985 Camry hatchback.
> (Purchased new... 220K... still 28 mpg)
>
> Have called several parts store and online sites and no one has
> replacement parts.
>
> Looks like the production run of this model is too low for the
> aftermarket people to make these.
>
> Even LiftSupportsDepot.com does not have them or an alternative.
>
> I found an outfit in Canada that will recharge them for $125.
>
> Anyone solve this before?
>



You've received lots of advice from others. I'll just chime in with my
cheap suggestion: A set of Vise-Grips.

There's a guy a few streets over from me with an early-'80s Chevette. His
struts have also gone bad, so all he does is clamp a set of Vise-Grips to
the inner rod of one of them so it can't slide back into the outer tube.
Wrecks the inner rod, of course, but otherwise it seems to work a treat.



--
Tegger
 >> Stay informed about: $340 for Lift Supports!!! 

wrote:
> Dealer wants $340 for a pair of lift supports for the hatchback on my
> 1985 Camry hatchback.
> (Purchased new... 220K... still 28 mpg)
>
> Have called several parts store and online sites and no one has
> replacement parts.
>
> Looks like the production run of this model is too low for the
> aftermarket people to make these.
>
> Even LiftSupportsDepot.com does not have them or an alternative.
>
> I found an outfit in Canada that will recharge them for $125.
>
> Anyone solve this before?
>
> Thx
> Dave-in-Denver
>
Maybe you can find after market replacements that will work for you
here.
http://www.monroe.com/products/mp_detail.asp?cat=Accessories&detail=Max-Lift

Good luck.
 >> Stay informed about: $340 for Lift Supports!!! 

wrote in message

> Excellent idea Jeff!
>
> The guys at LiftSupportsDepot.com were very helpful and tried just
> that... a slightly shorter lift strut... would just mean the hatch
> does not open up to its max.
>
> Although they have several lift supports that are a bit shorter (less
> than an inch)... these also have lower strength ratings by 10 to 15
> lbs. (ie. 15 to 20% less muscle) and are not likely to perform well on
> my hatchback that include a wiper/motor unit.
>


Well that certainly sucks! On the other hand, if your current struts are
less than 50% of capacity, a new strut that is only 15% weaker than the spec
is an improvement. Given that prices never go down, buy two sets of struts
today so you have the replacement on hand in a few years when the ones you
put in today no longer hold the lid open.
 >> Stay informed about: $340 for Lift Supports!!! 

On Thu, 19 Apr 2007 18:06:51 -0700, dwkerschen wrote:

> Yes... $170 each is just off the chart. The Camry only had a hatchback
> for 2 or 3 years in the 80's and apparently the gas lift supports were
> VERY specific for that application.
>
> A pic would be ease enough... but they look just like a generic $25 lift
> support with ball ends.


Geeze...those are common enough! I've had them on two Corollas. I see your
other post about using a shorter one. That will probably work. My Mom has
a Camry (86) but didn't get the hatch...I always liked the hatch better!

Let us know what you find! And Tegger's idea works, too...my Supra's hood
struts are shot, so I use a pair of vice-grips to hold the hood up.


>
> Thx
> Dave-in-Denver
>
>> DAMN!!! Even the ones for a Supra (MUCH more limited prod!) are
>> available from CarQuest for $35 each!
>>
>> Can you take a pic and post a link to it?
 >> Stay informed about: $340 for Lift Supports!!! 

looks like it's time for a piece of broomstick. <G>
sam


wrote in message

> Dealer wants $340 for a pair of lift supports for the hatchback on my
> 1985 Camry hatchback.
> (Purchased new... 220K... still 28 mpg)
>
> Have called several parts store and online sites and no one has
> replacement parts.
>
> Looks like the production run of this model is too low for the
> aftermarket people to make these.
>
> Even LiftSupportsDepot.com does not have them or an alternative.
>
> I found an outfit in Canada that will recharge them for $125.
>
> Anyone solve this before?
>
> Thx
> Dave-in-Denver
>
 >> Stay informed about: $340 for Lift Supports!!!