If your gas struts won’t close or are extremely difficult to compress, don’t assume they’re defective. In most cases, the problem is caused by one of three issues:
The good news is that you can often solve the problem without replacing the gas struts. In this guide, we’ll show you how to identify the cause and choose the quickest solution.
Gas struts work by providing a constant extension force. If that force is greater than the force required to close your lid, the struts will resist compression.
This usually happens when:
Fortunately, these problems are usually easy to correct.
For most installations, changing the mounting position is the fastest and least expensive solution.
Move the installation to a more horizontal position.
This reduces the effective lifting force, making the gas strut easier to compress.
Move the installation to a more vertical position.
This increases the lifting leverage and provides stronger support.
Small adjustments often make a noticeable difference, so test the lid after every change before drilling additional holes.
Gas struts should normally be installed with the rod pointing downward when the lid is closed.
Installing the rod downward helps keep the internal seal lubricated, improving long-term performance and extending the service life of the gas spring.
If adjusting the mounting position doesn’t solve the problem, the gas strut may simply be too strong.
To confirm this, you’ll need only two measurements:
Enter these values into our Gas Strut Calculator, and it will recommend the correct force and size for your project in less than a minute.
If the recommended force is lower than your current gas struts, replacing them is usually faster than repeatedly adjusting the installation.
Depending on the connector type:
Most installations take only a few minutes to remove.
Install the replacement gas struts using the recommended mounting dimensions.
If the new gas struts have the same extended length, you may be able to reuse the existing mounting holes.
Otherwise, drill new mounting holes according to the supplied installation drawing.
When installing:
After installation:
✓ The lid should close without excessive force.
✓ The lid should open smoothly.
✓ The lid should remain open at the designed angle.
✓ The movement should feel smooth without binding.
If the lid still doesn’t perform as expected, make small adjustments to the mounting position before replacing additional parts.
If you’d like to see the complete replacement process, watch the installation video below.
New gas struts are manufactured with their full rated force. If the force is too high for your lid or the mounting position isn’t correct, they may feel almost impossible to compress by hand.
Small gas struts sometimes can be compressed manually, but higher-force models often require the leverage provided by the lid itself.
For most applications, the rod should point downward when the lid is closed. This keeps the internal seal lubricated and helps extend the gas spring’s service life.
The gas spring force does not change, but changing the mounting position changes the leverage, making the lid easier or harder to operate.
If your gas struts still won’t close after adjusting the mounting position, the force is likely incorrect for your application.
Use our free Gas Strut Calculator to determine the correct specification, or contact the Apexstone engineering team for assistance. We’ll help you select the correct gas spring for your project and ensure it performs as expected.
Installing gas struts may seem difficult at first, but the process is straightforward when you choose the right gas spring and install it at the
If your gas struts won’t close or are extremely difficult to compress, don’t assume they’re defective. In most cases, the problem is caused by one
