Replacing the boot stay

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I have always been unhappy with the gas boot stay that was fitted by an insurance-specified non-minor garage after I was rear-ended many years ago. It always seemed just too powerful for the job.

Anyway, at the weekend it managed to pull the hinge on the same side off the car. To be fair, it looks like the fixing bolt was cross-threaded (also done by the same garage). So I'm looking for peoples suggestions and experiences.

Are there any alternatives to the gas boot stay? Are the gas boot stays pretty similar or are some better than others?

[MColes]

Well you could revert to the original way of keeping the boot open. Always worked for me

[mike.perry]

I had a gas boot stay on my Series MM. It seemed like a gook idea at the time, saved unhooking the manual prop, until it broke a boot hinge. Yes it was too strong.
The Traveller gas door stays are better, holding the doors open in the wind and with the car pointing downhill

[john@theforge]

Best to match up gas stays in pairs. That way they work against each other rather than against the hinge. Is there room for one on the other side?

There are also gas springs that you can bleed down to pressure required.

J

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So I'm not the only that has experienced this problem. Still not sure on the best solution though.

John, you said I should fit one on each side. Do you mean that this will balance the forces and so place less strain on the hinges? My first thought was that two gas stays would put twice as much pressure on the hinges, but maybe this is too simplistic. Have you tried this approach?

Mike you said that

The Traveller gas door stays are better, holding the doors open in the wind and with the car pointing downhill

That sounds like they are even stronger . Is this what you meant?

[john@theforge]

Experience with gas springs more industrial than automotive.
More than likely that the gas spring is applying a twisting motion to your hinge hence it snapping.

Only an educated guess.

I would always use a pair.

If I am right you might be able to see where the crack started should be nearest to the spring.

[mike.perry]

The Traveller rear door gas struts replace the door stays which on my Traveller never kept the doors open. I did have to fit plas plugs into the woodwork to secure the screws