Just installed new gas struts but they won’t compress?
Don’t worry. This is a common issue and usually does not mean the gas springs are defective.
Many users experience the same problems after installing heavy-duty lift supports:
In most cases, there are two possible reasons:
Before replacing your gas struts, try adjusting the installation position first. A small change can often solve the problem.
This guide explains why new gas struts won’t compress and how to fix the issue.
Gas struts are rated by Newtons (N). A higher N rating means more lifting force.
For example, a 300N gas strut provides strong support for heavy lids and panels. However, if your lid is lighter than expected, the weight of the lid may not be enough to compress the gas spring during closing.
This can cause:
Actually, the gas springs may be working correctly — they may simply be stronger than your application requires.
The force rating is not the only factor affecting performance.
The installation position also changes how much force the gas strut applies.
A more vertical installation provides stronger lifting assistance.
A more horizontal installation reduces the effective lifting force and makes closing easier.
Therefore, adjusting the mounting location can often solve a “gas struts won’t close” problem without replacing the parts.
There are two solutions:
We recommend trying adjustment first.
If the gas struts are too strong:
Move the upper mounting point closer to the hinge.
This creates a more horizontal installation angle and reduces closing resistance.
If the gas struts are too weak:
Move the upper mounting point farther away from the hinge.
This increases lifting assistance.
However, always make sure:
The gas strut can fully compress when the lid is closed.
The distance between mounting points must be greater than the compressed length of the gas spring.
To understand how mounting position affects gas strut performance, let’s look at a real example.
A pair of 300N gas struts provides strong lifting assistance. However, if the required force is lower, the lid may become difficult to close.
The following points are used to analyze the installation:
Measurements:
A common starting position is placing the upper mounting point approximately one-third of the lid length from the hinge.
For a 25-inch lid:
a = 25 × 1/3 ≈ 8.3 inches
This is only a starting point. The final position depends on:
After selecting the mounting points:
The distance must be greater than the compressed length of the gas strut.
Example:
Compressed length:
9.1 inches
Therefore:
A1C must be greater than 9.1 inches.
The required force can be estimated using:
F = G × y / (c × 2)
Where:
For this example:
Calculation:
F = (200 × 12.5) / (5 × 2)
F = 250N
The result shows that approximately:
250N per gas strut
is required.
However, the selected gas struts provide:
300N each
The additional force may cause the lid to resist closing.
To reduce the closing force, move the upper mounting point closer to the hinge.
Original position:
a = 8.3 inches
Adjusted position:
a = 6.25 inches
This creates a more horizontal installation angle.
The important lesson:
The correct mounting position is just as important as choosing the correct gas strut force.
If adjusting the mounting position does not solve the problem, the gas struts may simply have too much force.
In this case, replacing them with the correct Newton rating is the best solution.
When selecting replacement gas struts, consider:
A properly selected gas spring should help movement — not fight against it.
No.
High-pressure gas struts are not designed to be compressed manually.
A 300N gas spring can require significant force. If it feels impossible to compress by hand, it does not necessarily mean the product is defective.
The most common reasons are:
Try moving the upper mounting point closer to the hinge.
This creates a more horizontal angle and reduces closing resistance.
If adjustment does not help, choose a lower-force gas spring.
In many applications, installing gas struts rod-down helps lubricate the internal seal and may improve service life.
Always follow the installation requirements for your specific application.
New gas struts that won’t compress are usually caused by incorrect force selection or an unsuitable mounting position.
Before replacing your lift supports, try adjusting the mounting points first.
A small installation change can make a significant difference.
Need help choosing the right gas struts?
Check our gas spring sizing guide or contact us with your lid weight, dimensions, and current gas spring specifications. We’ll help you find the right solution.
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
