I purchased 2 new Gabriel struts from ebay. This is my first time messing with struts.
I got them today and they don't have Gabriel written on them, but have 739405 for a part number. One is made in Japan and has stamp date of 981113, the other one is made in Korea with a date of 991122. The details of the construction are different, but should serve the same purpose.
The one made in Japan came fully extended, without a steel wire holding it compressed. It is coated in a light film of oil and the part that should contact the stopper has some wear to it. The bushing part doesn't seem worn. The first inch of travel doesn't pose much resistance and when released goes back up fast with a hissing noise. Compressed all the way, the shaft returns at a slower rate, except for last inch.
The one made in Korea seems new and came compressed with the steel wire. This one is harder to compress compared to the one made in Japan. Compressed all the way, it only extends back about halfway and slowly at that. To extend it all the way you have to pull on the shaft, and with considerable force compared to the one made in Japan. From fully extended, if I compress 1 inch, it stays there and doesn't extend back.
As I never played with a strut before, please indicate which one is bad (or if they both are).
Thanks!
I got them today and they don't have Gabriel written on them, but have 739405 for a part number. One is made in Japan and has stamp date of 981113, the other one is made in Korea with a date of 991122. The details of the construction are different, but should serve the same purpose.
The one made in Japan came fully extended, without a steel wire holding it compressed. It is coated in a light film of oil and the part that should contact the stopper has some wear to it. The bushing part doesn't seem worn. The first inch of travel doesn't pose much resistance and when released goes back up fast with a hissing noise. Compressed all the way, the shaft returns at a slower rate, except for last inch.
The one made in Korea seems new and came compressed with the steel wire. This one is harder to compress compared to the one made in Japan. Compressed all the way, it only extends back about halfway and slowly at that. To extend it all the way you have to pull on the shaft, and with considerable force compared to the one made in Japan. From fully extended, if I compress 1 inch, it stays there and doesn't extend back.
As I never played with a strut before, please indicate which one is bad (or if they both are).
Thanks!