[hoov23]

Just got these, cheaper than OEM smart ones by a good margin. $55 shipped. Same length (within a fraction of an inch), same ball cup size, very good strength (not hard to open or close, but stays lifted very well).

Signature brand struts, part number SE115P30-1175, sold by Lift Supports Depot.

They took like 5 minutes to install. once you remove the old ones, these just press on, no need to release the clip. open and shut a few times and they are perfect.

instructions to remove old ones: Evilution - Smart Car Encyclopaedia
i just used a flat head screwdriver and pried the thing out till it released.

 

[chieftmc]

Great find

Thanks for the share

​

 

[hoov23]

also, if your rear window isn't "popping" as much as it should, put a little spot of grease on the latch and it will free it right up.

 

[klwinter2]

struts

The same length does not mean they will work.
Having stall an set and shattering the rear window and speak from experience.

MAKE sure they are not TO strong..

 

[hoov23]

few dozen opens and shuts, and slams, and no trouble. feels like it should. not too strong or weak. still recommended so far.

 

[lebikerboy]

I've been using them for my 2006 450 for a year
and they're soooo much better than stock...

 

[Stretchmobile]

I've been using them for my 2006 450 for a year
and they're soooo much better than stock...

Good enough for me. My hatch falls down when it is cold out. Stays up barely when it is warm. Maybe I need to get a set of these.

 

[klwinter2]

HOOV23- great job

Please don't think I was being negative. I applaud your efforts to find an alternative repair method. I was merely sharing that my similar effort failed. Expensively ... New rear glass..

The emotions of fixing the strut to shattering the window was exhasting.


I returned to the weak struts and the old PVC pipe over it for a prop...It worked for years on my VW rabbit..

 

[klwinter2]

strut failure

Here is how my strut replacement went.

 

[chieftmc]

Here is how my strut replacement went.

OUCH

 

[Evilution]

The same length does not mean they will work.
Having stall an set and shattering the rear window and speak from experience.

MAKE sure they are not TO strong..

Agreed. The OEM struts should have the Nm rating printed on the main body.
Match the length, ends and match the Nm as close as you can and you are on to a winner.

To be honest I'm surprised they are that expensive.

 

[erth64net]

What about the StrongArm 4420 - they're about $17/each on Amazon.

 

[Stretchmobile]

I got a pair of supports from Ebay. 2 Smart Fortwo Model 450 2005 2006 Liftgate Tailgate Lift Supports Boot Struts | eBay They work perfectly. Easy to close and keeps the hatch open. I know about the Amazon supports, but Ebay was easier. My wife and I make Christmas lists on Ebay. She got them for me because the hatch fell down on my head a couple of weeks ago. Wouldn't stay up because it is cold now. They have a limited lifetime warranty, as far as that goes....

 

[lebikerboy]

Those are the same ones as mentioned earlier in the thread...

 

[louis bolieu]

SE115P30-1175 N-A Wrong Lift for my 08 Passion

something amiss here. The SE115P30-1175 lifts I received are
some 6 inches shorter than the ones on my 08 passion.
Any ideas what's going on here?
Thanks,
Louis

 

[jimvw57]

The first ones mentioned are for the 450 model, they must have a different rear window. (I don't have a 450 so I couldn't say) the 2008 is a 451 model.

 

[chieftmc]

something amiss here. The SE115P30-1175 lifts I received are
some 6 inches shorter than the ones on my 08 passion.
Any ideas what's going on here?
Thanks,
Louis

This is a 450 thread; not a 451

Those are for a 2005 / 2006 450 !!

There lies your problem :wink:

 

[jwight]

Try these for the 451: http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/hatch-lift-struts-451-a-47651/

 

[SmartieUSA]

Thank you for the search information.

They are no longer on Amazon but I found the direct site and ordered.
http://www.liftsupportsdepot.com/shopby/2006/smart/fortwo/base-coupe-2door/

Thank you for the help. It had been a dead end until your lead.

SmartieUSA