1984 silver series 3

[RamoNZ]

That's all great news - getting the hard stuff out of the way!

The main problem is that most 14 inch standard rims are under 7 inch wide, and the 205
Best compromise of size and availability is a 195/60 I think - Falken do a set for reasonable moneys and I suspect better technogy and therefore better grip than the more odd ball 205 offerings. I have seen 215/60 but that's the top end of fitment on your typical 14.

[ian65]

bad news on the strut front........ the rear hatch struts can't be re-gassed

[RamoNZ]

bad news on the strut front........ the rear hatch struts can't be re-gassed

I have no personal experience myself, but loads of people here would tell you different? I was planning on getting mine done shortly!

[RamoNZ]

I am taking it you mean to say the struts are buggered

[ian65]

I should re-phrase that.....
my rear hatch struts can't be re-gassed.
They rang me to say they've tested them and the seals have gone in them. They want to sell me some aftermarket struts and said they'll transfer the electrics over to the new strut but looking at them on their website, they look nothing like the OEM struts and I just have a thing about parts that look obviously aftermarket.... I'd rather leave the knackered ones on than fit ones that look wrong.
Here's their initial email to me....

Thank you for your enquiry. New struts are available at a cost of £65.76 for the pair delivered (£24.75 per strut plus £5.30 carriage and VAT), are covered by a two year guarantee and are available on next day delivery.

Some struts can be re-gassed depending on their condition so a visual inspection by us must be made in order to assess your struts, which is free of charge. If you try a re-gas and it fails within the warranty period we will discount the cost of the re-gas from new gas struts purchased from SGS Engineering. A re-gas is £33.96 delivered for the pair (£11.50 per strut plus £5.30 carriage and VAT) and struts are usually turned around within three working days. Payment can be made via credit/debit card and you will be contacted for payment once your struts have been tested. If you require a re-gas please send your struts to:

SGS Engineering (UK) Limited
2, Westside Park
Belmore Way
Raynesway
Derby
DE21 7AZ

Not all struts are suitable for re-gassing ...... I know Mark had success with his, Cliff had his done and they lost pressure within a few days and had to be redone.
I've got a couple more sets of old struts that I could also send to them but to be honest, if it's going to turn into a hassle, I'll probably leave it..... they aren't high on my list of priorities.

[spoddy]

some good and bad news then. good you're back on track and getting the time to get working on the fb again.

bad the gas struts can't be re-gassed.

but like you say not a big deal, as someone will have a set that are in decent order or can be re-gassed.

the ones on my mx3 are away with it too, in the cold the boot lid just falls down again, not fun when
leaning into lift stuff out lol.

but as it's a glass tail gate on the fb you need the proper struts so not to damage the glass when opening and closing
i'd think as with too stiff a strut you'd need to apply lots of pressure to shut the tail gate and possibly crack it.

looking forward to seeing it all finished, silver looks really well on an fb. makes them modern and sporty looking.

[RamoNZ]

silver looks really well on an fb. makes them modern and sporty looking.

Some would say, "far better with a red coach line to set off the silver"

Ian - you and Gus could be twins!

[Lucky]

Can you still get new struts from Mazda? Or is aftermarket the only way forward? Mine only work if the car's nose-down

[BO0557]

Rockauto.com Ian???

[codge]

Looks pretty good ian,sure you'll do wonders with it,reminds me of inspector nocks fb.
ta stu..

Marvellous Ian.....get a red coach line.....very urgent - red coach line, 1st job... buggxr the mechanicals, lets have some posh.

Not a twin....Gus has got a USA hatch strut flipped 180degrees.....works a treat with just one, doesn't bash your brains out either......