Having finally got round to fitting the gas struts and being delighted with the outcome, I’m now a bit miserable. At first they appeared to have fitted perfectly, with the engine cover sitting quite close to the bodywork. But now, within minutes of the engine being started and giving off its heat, the offside of the engine cover rises up, leaving at least a quarter of an inch gap on the leading edge and more to the side.
I wonder if I engine heat is expanding the gas in the struts (or is the gas inert?).Or do I need to let a bit more gas out of the offside strut?
You need to stop buggering about with it and love it for what it is…
Is the cover getting “flexible” due to heat?
Nah, due to the excellent airflow through the S1 side ducts! 
Helps with cooling I guess, the only worry for me would be the wind when the cover is open. Uldis had this problem and it ripped his roof off. 
You could be right.
I half regretted it as soon as the blasted things were fitted. I liked the crude bit of stick I used as a bonnet prop.
Thommo
had a set recently fitted and am seeing exactly the same symptoms you are seeing.
I did wonder if the offside had less gas taken out than the nearside on fitting. I was going to swap them over and see if the problem swapped sides or not.
However, it may just be the exhaust manifold heating the offside more. If that is the case then I might de-gas a little and see if that will compensate. What struts have you got. Mine were from RS.
I had one on my car fitted too and it seems the drivers side pops up higher than other side?
[quote=stevegreen]Thommo
had a set recently fitted and am seeing exactly the same symptoms you are seeing.
I did wonder if the offside had less gas taken out than the nearside on fitting. I was going to swap them over and see if the problem swapped sides or not.
However, it may just be the exhaust manifold heating the offside more. If that is the case then I might de-gas a little and see if that will compensate. What struts have you got. Mine were from RS. [/quote]
Well, there’s a thought. Mine, too, are from RS (Via Flying Dutchman)
I had not thought of swopping them side to side but that is a good idea. I won’t have chance to have a swop for a day or two . If you do, would you mind letting me know how you get on?
I’d be interested to hear from MarkA on the subject as he posted the fittin g instructions a long time ago
Ok swapped them over now. Poped the lower balljoint (on end of extending piston) and then unscrewed the other end leaving the balljoint still attached.
Tried a simple bench test of holding the damper body and pushing the rod against the surface to retract the piston - it was difficult to be certain but I imagined that it took more force on the offside strut.
Planning to go for a trip out on Sunday to see if it makes any difference so will post again after that.
Forgot to mention that with the cover open there appears to be quite a lot of lateral flex in the hinge. I’m not certain but this looks like part of the underlying problem rather than the struts themselves and I would not be certain that de-gassing would ever take that out of the equation unless you de-gassed to such a point that it would not have enough left to lift the cover.
Thanks,Steve,I look fwd to your next update.
Hi Thommo,
Sorry, can’t remember exactly how it looked and whether it was an issue or not. Don’t specifically remember it.
I do remember having to mess around with the gas pressure quite a bit as my early fitment would have catapulted a heavy item some distance. 
The cover was sticking up on both sides when the pressure was too high but flat when reduced.
same here - need to get the pressures spot on then work a treat 
You need to be VERY careful how you reduce the strut pressure as it’s so easy to let out a fraction too much gas and you’re B***ed but when you get the pressure right they work a treat.I’ve just renewed mine after 8yrs because they had lost too much pressure to still work well but they’ve been worth every penny.
Reduction in pressure it is, then.
Thanks very much, one and all; MarkA in particular, as it was his instruction sheet that made it a fairly easy task to fit my struts.
When reducing pressure be REALLY careful not to overdo it.
They can be regassed if you go too far as I did first time…degassing I mean.!!
[quote=MrBean]When reducing pressure be REALLY careful not to overdo it.
They can be regassed if you go too far as I did first time…degassing I mean.!! [/quote]
Thanks, Clive. I remember having a conversation with you about them but that was long ago . . before I dared fit them. Not had a chance to have a fiddle yet.
Sorry I’ve not got back sooner. I’ve swapped them over but not taken it for a drive yet. Weather has not been too kind on recent free weekends.
It looks like others are saying it’s a gassing issue so good luck with that. I suspect they may be right but wanted to check first.
It would be good if others could say if they are running the same pressure in both. My pet theory is that the offside strut may get hotter due to it’s location.
Where did you take them to be re-gassed?