Hey everyone, I just got done watching an episode on the development of the 240Z on the Moto-Man YouTube Channel, which includes an interview with the designer.

One of the things in the video is the rear hatch strut shock absorber, and I noticed the one in the video seems to lift on its own (see the 14 minute mark) and I realized mine has never done that. The shock absorber does hold the hatch open, but I have to pull it up.

Maybe I need a new one? MSA has them (http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/classic02o03b01/30-8303) though they seem kind of expensive ($49). Has anyone tried these or other solutions?

You can watch the video yourself, here, if you have some spare time.

 

 

 

Edited February 2, 20169 yr by z boy mn

Good evening,

I have had several z's since the mid 1980's and none have opened on their own until about half way up.  That does not guarantee they never did though.  I don't think the car in the interview is all original (I suspect it has been restored), so it may not be an original cylinder.

Good luck.

Scooter

Me too. Never seen one go up by itself. Given the extreme flat angle the strut has to the hatch body when it's closed, I can't imagine a strut strong enough to lift it from that position.  Even the 280's with two struts can't do it.

There does appear to be cheap easy to get aftermarket struts .  RockAuto https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1806840&cc=1209170&jnid=406&jpid=0

If you watch the hatch lifting at the 14 minute point, you see only the left side of the hatch with the strut, not the right side. I'm sure a helping hand is lifting the hatch off camera on the right side. Movie magic! My '71 didn't do it when new or with a replacement factory strut more recently. Dennis

Edited February 3, 20169 yr by psdenno

Good news in a way, everyone--thanks for your comments. I did watch the video a few times. It would be cool if it went up on it's own, but as long as it doesn't fall back down on my head I guess I should be happy! The video was fun, too; I didn't know, for example, the Z was the first car with such a method for holding the tailgate open.