Should the rear hatch go up on its own?

[z boy mn]

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, 2016 by z boy mn

[Scooter3]

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

[zKars]

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

[psdenno]

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, 2016 by psdenno

[z boy mn]

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.