Rodney's Decklid Strut & Torsion Bars (Page 1/1)
82-T/A [At Work] OCT 13, 12:30 PM
So, I was trying to find my original post on this, but I think I piggy backed on someone else. One of the things I've done on my daughter's car restoration that she couldn't do, was the torsion bars. I felt it was just a bit too dangerous for her to get her hands in the wrong spot, and it required a lot... I mean a lot of strength. I tried all the little tips and tricks I could find, none of them worked. I ended up using brute strength, and the most I could possibly muster (to be honest), was the middle hole on the passenger side, and the bottom hole on the driver's side... and with that, the decklid STILL won't stay up on it's own. It's almost there. If the one on the driver's side could also make it to the middle, it might work... but I was honestly just totally over it.


Anyway, I bought Rodney's decklid gas strut, and installed it on the driver's side (where there's less stuff going on). It works awesome...


Patrick OCT 13, 04:30 PM

quote
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]:

...and it required a lot... I mean a lot of strength. I tried all the little tips and tricks I could find, none of them worked. I ended up using brute strength, and the most I could possibly muster (to be honest), was the middle hole on the passenger side, and the bottom hole on the driver's side



It's a matter of technique, not strength. I've posted about this several times over the years, including in This thread. I do something similar to what Buddy posted, but I don't use a ratcheting tie strap. All it takes is a 2x4, about 3' long (for leverage), and a length of strap or rope.

Okay, some images may be required here... using photos I found online (not my Fieros) and then doctored.

First, this is where the rope is looped through. It's at the end of each torsion rod.






And now the following two images show the positioning of the 2x4, and the rope attached to it. Notice the 2x4 does not go to the bottom of the trunk. It rests on the shelf.




Push or pull the top end of the 2x4 back. Takes one hand. With your other hand, move the adjustment pin. Repeat on the other side. (Perhaps put a short piece of wood between the bottom end of the 2x4 and the front edge of the trunk to dissipate the forward force of the bottom of the 2x4 against the trunk wall.)



Easy peasy.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 10-14-2025).]

cliffw OCT 13, 04:34 PM

quote
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]:

So, I was trying to find my original post on this, but I think I piggy backed on someone else. One of the things I've done on my daughter's car restoration that she couldn't do, was the torsion bars. I felt it was just a bit too dangerous for her to get her hands in the wrong spot, and it required a lot... I mean a lot of strength. I tried all the little tips and tricks I could find, none of them worked. I ended up using brute strength, and the most I could possibly muster (to be honest), was the middle hole on the passenger side, and the bottom hole on the driver's side... and with that, the decklid STILL won't stay up on it's own. It's almost there. If the one on the driver's side could also make it to the middle, it might work... but I was honestly just totally over it.


Anyway, I bought Rodney's decklid gas strut, and installed it on the driver's side (where there's less stuff going on). It works awesome...




That is sweet. I recently bought another Fiero and it has two gas struts (one each side). They attach from the rear window area, in the engine to the azz end of the deck lid. Ugly and very strong, I have to use two hands/arms to close the deck lid.
Vintage-Nut OCT 13, 06:32 PM
Unfortunately, gas springs won't last 'forever' and will fail 'one day'.
olejoedad OCT 13, 09:21 PM
I much prefer the torsion bars.