Adjustable Gas Struts
Product Code:
Adjustable Gas Struts – Set the Correct Force on the Vehicle.Stedall’s adjustable gas struts provide a practical solution for commercial vehicle doors, hatches, lockers, lids and access panels where the exact supporting force is difficult to determine in advance. Each strut is supplied at its maximum rated pressure and can be progressively bled down after installation until the required supporting force is achieved. This removes much of the guesswork involved in specifying a conventional fixed-force gas strut. Rather than having to know the exact Newton rating before ordering, the installer can select the appropriate strut size, stroke and extended length and then fine-tune the force on the actual application. Why Use an Adjustable Gas Strut?
The force required from a gas strut depends on more than simply the weight of the door or panel. Hinge position, mounting geometry, opening angle, panel dimensions and the location of the gas-strut mounting points can all affect the force required.
For vehicle builders and converters this can make selecting a fixed-pressure gas strut difficult, particularly on a new vehicle design or one-off conversion. An adjustable gas strut allows the final supporting force to be established during installation. Choose the Strut Size, Stroke and Extended Length.
Stedall’s adjustable gas struts are available in a wide range of configurations. Use the product selectors above to choose the appropriate strut size, stroke and extended length for your application. The range is based around three principal strut sizes: 6-15 – 6mm rod with 15mm tube, typically suited to lighter panels and lids.
8-18 – 8mm rod with 18mm tube, typically suited to medium-weight access doors and panels. 10-23 – 10mm rod with 23mm tube, typically suited to heavier commercial vehicle doors and panels. The physical size of the strut should be selected according to the application rather than simply choosing the largest available unit. Stroke, extended length, available installation space and mounting geometry all need to be considered.
How the Adjustable Gas Strut Works. The strut is supplied pressurised to its maximum rated force. After installation, small amounts of gas can be released through the side-mounted bleed valve, progressively reducing the force until the door, hatch or panel operates correctly. This is particularly useful where the weight or geometry of the application makes an accurate force calculation difficult. Once the correct setting has been established, the strut remains at the reduced pressure.
Adjustment only reduces the force. Gas cannot be added back once it has been released, so pressure should always be reduced gradually. How to Adjust the Gas Strut. Install the gas strut on the application with the rod pointing downwards and the adjustment valve at the top.
Because the strut is supplied at maximum pressure, do not attempt to force the door or lid closed if the initial force is too high. Insert an Allen key into the valve grub screw and loosen it very slightly until gas can be heard escaping. Immediately retighten the grub screw and test the door or panel.
Repeat the process in small increments until the required supporting force is achieved. If two gas struts are fitted, adjust each strut progressively in turn so that the pair remains balanced. Important: Never remove the grub screw completely and do not overtighten it. Release only a very small amount of gas at each adjustment because pressure cannot be restored once released.
Gas Strut End Fittings and Mounting Brackets. Stedall supplies compatible ball and eye end fittings for the adjustable gas-strut range, together with mounting brackets for suitable installations. Ball fittings provide convenient connection and allow angular movement at the mounting point. Eye fittings provide a positive bolted connection and may be preferred for applications requiring that type of mounting arrangement.
Compatible fittings can be found in our Gas Struts and Fittings range. Adjustable gas struts are suitable for many commercial and specialist vehicle applications, including locker doors, equipment compartments, side access doors, upward-opening panels, hatches, lids and other hinged bodywork. They are particularly valuable for vehicle builders, converters and prototype applications where the finished door or panel can be installed first and the supporting force then fine-tuned to suit the completed vehicle.
Already Know the Required Force? If the required force is already established, Stedall can also supply made-to-order fixed-pressure gas struts. This can be appropriate for repeat production where the vehicle design, mounting geometry and required Newton rating are already known. Need Help Selecting a Gas Strut?
If you are unsure which strut size, stroke or extended length is appropriate, contact Stedall for practical assistance. We can help you identify the most appropriate starting point for your vehicle, door, hatch or panel application.
Stedall’s adjustable gas struts are available in a wide range of configurations. Use the product selectors above to choose the appropriate strut size, stroke and extended length for your application. The range is based around three principal strut sizes: 6-15 – 6mm rod with 15mm tube, typically suited to lighter panels and lids.
8-18 – 8mm rod with 18mm tube, typically suited to medium-weight access doors and panels. 10-23 – 10mm rod with 23mm tube, typically suited to heavier commercial vehicle doors and panels. The physical size of the strut should be selected according to the application rather than simply choosing the largest available unit. Stroke, extended length, available installation space and mounting geometry all need to be considered.
How the Adjustable Gas Strut Works. The strut is supplied pressurised to its maximum rated force. After installation, small amounts of gas can be released through the side-mounted bleed valve, progressively reducing the force until the door, hatch or panel operates correctly. This is particularly useful where the weight or geometry of the application makes an accurate force calculation difficult. Once the correct setting has been established, the strut remains at the reduced pressure.
Adjustment only reduces the force. Gas cannot be added back once it has been released, so pressure should always be reduced gradually. How to Adjust the Gas Strut. Install the gas strut on the application with the rod pointing downwards and the adjustment valve at the top.
Because the strut is supplied at maximum pressure, do not attempt to force the door or lid closed if the initial force is too high. Insert an Allen key into the valve grub screw and loosen it very slightly until gas can be heard escaping. Immediately retighten the grub screw and test the door or panel.
Repeat the process in small increments until the required supporting force is achieved. If two gas struts are fitted, adjust each strut progressively in turn so that the pair remains balanced. Important: Never remove the grub screw completely and do not overtighten it. Release only a very small amount of gas at each adjustment because pressure cannot be restored once released.
Gas Strut End Fittings and Mounting Brackets. Stedall supplies compatible ball and eye end fittings for the adjustable gas-strut range, together with mounting brackets for suitable installations. Ball fittings provide convenient connection and allow angular movement at the mounting point. Eye fittings provide a positive bolted connection and may be preferred for applications requiring that type of mounting arrangement.
Compatible fittings can be found in our Gas Struts and Fittings range. Adjustable gas struts are suitable for many commercial and specialist vehicle applications, including locker doors, equipment compartments, side access doors, upward-opening panels, hatches, lids and other hinged bodywork. They are particularly valuable for vehicle builders, converters and prototype applications where the finished door or panel can be installed first and the supporting force then fine-tuned to suit the completed vehicle.
Already Know the Required Force? If the required force is already established, Stedall can also supply made-to-order fixed-pressure gas struts. This can be appropriate for repeat production where the vehicle design, mounting geometry and required Newton rating are already known. Need Help Selecting a Gas Strut?
If you are unsure which strut size, stroke or extended length is appropriate, contact Stedall for practical assistance. We can help you identify the most appropriate starting point for your vehicle, door, hatch or panel application.
Visit the Stedall (Vehicle Fittings) Ltd website for more information on Adjustable Gas Struts
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