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Post by bondbug750 on Dec 6, 2016 8:53:01 GMT
Strut that I had on the shelf is u/s and doesn't lift the canopy ...I'll need to find a new one - anyone got details of a supplier and what size etc. please
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Post by karl on Dec 6, 2016 10:35:01 GMT
Speak to dave Hemsley, I've got mine from there in the past.
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Post by bondbug750 on Dec 6, 2016 12:48:22 GMT
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Post by Biggles on Dec 7, 2016 18:40:21 GMT
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Post by phillg on Dec 8, 2016 12:51:49 GMT
I have what Biggles has.
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Post by vannin on Dec 17, 2016 15:32:10 GMT
oh and me
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Post by ayrbugger on Dec 28, 2016 10:07:37 GMT
Hi,
I had a Strutsdirect and it failed, it was not getting much use due to rebuild being stalled with my house move.
Changed to a SGS and it is working fine and no problems to date...now I need to get sparks then I'm on the road from 1st Jan 2017...clear the way I'm coming thro
Guid New Year to one and all
regards to all ayrbugger
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Post by bondbug750 on Dec 29, 2016 15:48:08 GMT
Just fitted this SGS strut ...it works a treat: fits straight on and holds the canopy at any desired open position from just open enough to reach in to the parcel shelf from the outside to fully open to get the engine cover off
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Post by vannin on Jan 27, 2017 16:35:35 GMT
as I say I have a strutsdirect one on my bug but lately I'm sure it's lost a bit of pressure unless it's just the cold weather
but those sgs struts sound very good in holding the canopy in most positions
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Post by bondbug750 on Jan 27, 2017 16:42:18 GMT
It's probably just the cold
..but I believe that you can have those strutsdirect ones re-gassed by the supplier for not very much
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Post by hastings1066 on Feb 1, 2017 22:20:21 GMT
The SGS recommended gas strut for the Bond Bug is okay providing the canopy and side-screens are not too heavy, you may also find that some gas struts won't hold the canopy up during the cold weather.
SGS will re-gas any of their gas struts if they fail within the warranty period,so don't paint over the details shown on the body of the strut,another handy tip if doing a restoration is not to get the gas strut until you are ready to use the Bug as struts stored for several years before using could fail quite rapidly.
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Post by cdb15 on Jul 30, 2017 21:37:03 GMT
Slight thread hijack, forgive me, but it will keep all gas strut stuff together. The Webster I have just acquired does not have any canopy strut fitted, nor is there any obvious sign of where it ought to fit. So, I need some way to keep the canopy up. However, I understand that the Webster body had thicker GRP than the Reliant bodies and so would be somewhat heavier. Now, the first owner of 'my' bug fitted some DIY doors which are wood framed and consequently rather heavy - I have removed them so I know this for certain. Despite that, the canopy without any doors or screens is still pretty heavy - at least to my untutored experience. What I want to know is, is this usual? Should the canopy normally just lift with light finger pressure, or does it normally take a huge effort? Opening my canopy is almost 2-man job, and lifting from one side the weight seems so much that the whole panel looks to be in danger of twisting to the point of cracking.
I have seen a photo on Google Images of a Bug with TWO struts, one either side of the engine. Is there a diagram anywhere showing how/where the standard strut fits the Bond body? This would at least give me a starting point to decide how to proceed. And am I rigt in thinking that the Webster item will be braodly the same in fitting, spec etc as the standard? Thanks, all insights much appreciated.
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Post by Stiffy on Jul 30, 2017 23:30:02 GMT
Ady who is a member on here is the guy you need. I'm sure he will be along soon. He used 2 electric struts and it lifts a treat.  |
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Post by cdb15 on Jul 31, 2017 10:15:41 GMT
Many thanks!
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Post by ady on Aug 2, 2017 11:39:13 GMT
I would never claim to be an expert but yes I have fitted a powered system. It can be seen working on YouTube, search for Bond Bug canopy and it should pop up.
Mine is all based on parts for powered folding roofs. I think the rams are VW and the pump Sabb but could be wrong, they were random bits off eBay.
So the system consists of an electrically powered hydraulic pump under the seat, sitting on the chassis rail. Two push/pull rams connected to it, one each side just infront of where the front edge of the sidescreen would be. An electric window switch turns the pump on in either up or down direction. The hydraulic system naturally balances between the two rams, so the lift is always even.
I use a manual valve to shut the fluid circuit off in the raised position, but could replace this with an electronically operated one.
The canopy is quite heavy without any assistance to lift it, and as you say it is possible that the Webster one is heavier than the original.
Using the electric/hydraulic that I have done the actual weight is not that important, it just affects how hard the pump works and the speed the canopy moves. With the original gas strut, the weigh is critical, although adjustable struts are available, where you let gas out to reduce the force they have.
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Post by Nobla on Aug 2, 2017 18:46:35 GMT
Hi Bondbug 750, Just seen your request for a canopy strut, I have a spare one taken from my bunk in my old lorry its nearly brand new.
If you are interested and coming to the rally I can bring it with me, or I can post it to you if you like.
Let me know.
I have one fitted and its the same number on the cylinder as mine, so I presume it will do the job, I have not had any problems.
Lifts canopy ok and works fine.
Nobla
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Post by cdb15 on Aug 2, 2017 22:49:15 GMT
search for Bond Bug canopy and it should pop up. Very good - when I get the rams it may well do !! Meanwhile, many thanks for the detailed comments, and for the video - it looks very cool, and given the weight of my canopy it may well be the way for me to go. If only I could try different options without chopping up the body work each time  |
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Post by jefferdp on Aug 21, 2017 11:36:39 GMT
Hi,
My canopy has been repaired many times I think because to it just so heavy.
I contacted a company call SGS Engineering LTD, I explained what i wanted and they made me a strut, which was dispatched the next day. In fact they knew what type I needed as they had the spec on there books already.
When i got it, it fitted perfectly but would not hold the canopy up if there was a bit of wind. So they took it back and filled it with more gas (up to 690n) , for a small fee.
Now works fine and fits perfectly and only cost about £25 including postage.
I would recommend they to anyone with a Bug.
Regards Dean.
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Post by cdb15 on Aug 21, 2017 18:55:13 GMT
Coincidentally I was in touch myself with SGS today, and their response time for my on-line/email query was about an hour or so - most impressive.
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Post by cdb15 on Aug 28, 2017 14:38:15 GMT
In order to get some idea of the capacity of gas strut I would need for the Webster canopy, I have measured the "weight" on the rear edge of the canopy by lowering it gently onto some bathroom scales resting on the rear edge of the body. The result is about 28kg. This was complete with doors fitted, so a 'worst case'. I wonder if anyone with a standard Bug would help me by doing the same test with their car, and reporting the weight here? This will give me some idea as to how much greater capacity I will need in the strut(s). It may turn out that the standard strut will be OK, but at least this test would give some idea of the relative weight of the two.
I'm toying with the idea of a standard strut in the (normal) central position (if I can work around the carb cover bulge), aided by two supplementary struts, one on each side above the occupants heads. This would not only give extra lifting capacity, but also prevent twisting and flexing of the canopy as it is moved.
Many thanks to anyone who is prepared to weigh their own canopy for me.
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Post by vannin on Sept 2, 2017 10:05:29 GMT
anyone managed to replicate the original spec canopy strut ?
with the helper spring attached, I'd be very interested in
one of those
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Post by vannin on Jun 6, 2020 15:13:28 GMT
will this keep my canopy erect in all conditions  |
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Post by rogeru7 on Jun 24, 2020 9:59:29 GMT
I have a turned sleeve which fits between the strut spring and the very large washer when the canopy is in the open position, it takes the strain off the strut and ensures the canopy does not close unexpectedly if you are working on the car
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