[Redwood]

My hatch struts have suddenly died on my 2000 insight, and now my hatch has taken to hitting me on the head. I have search sites rec. in other posts, but they don't carry the struts - my dealer has them at $250 for the pair... any suggestions?

 

[Yves M.]

Outch! Have you checked the Web based Honda parts store.

 

[Rick]

Ouch... unfortunately your not the first to have this problem. I believe on 00 and earlier 01 Insight's they had a smaller rear hatch strut, so you'll get the updated beefier ones, which I think should last much longer.

You might want to throw a couple of trash bags and a roll of tape in your car because they'll probably start leaking soon.

 

[devin1955]

I'm resurrecting this thread. One of the gas shocks on my rear hatch has gone bad and replacements are on my list. However, Majestic Honda wants $50 each for them, AND I seem to recall someone here mentioning that they wouldn't ship them. It was either mentioned or I assumed that was due to their contents being under pressure. That might preclude an air shipment, but ground should be okay I think. Has anyone replaced theirs, had them shipped, from who, and how much?

 

[Patrickmilburn]

Air shipment is precluded, however ground shipment is O.K.

Unfortunately, I'm not aware of any source of aftermarket hatch struts for the Insight. Like replacement shocks and struts, Honda is the only game in town.

 

[Waynetc]

for what it's worth - I just put a set in my 2000 last week, no problems getting them from Majestic. They are "beefier" as mentioned earlier in the thread and are easy to install.
W-

 

[Normand]

Yves,
I have replaced mine last year.
Bought them from majestic Honda, had them delivered to a member in the USA, he then had then shipped to me. Thanks to (privacy keeps me from mentionning is name) that fine gentlemen.

I'm sure someone here can help you out as it was done for me.

Good luck !

 

[devin1955]

This is weird, because I asked them and here's what they said:

> 209906 STAY SET, R. TAILGATE OPEN
> 209907 STAY SET, L. TAILGATE OPEN
>
> I've been told these parts cannot be shipped, due to them having contents
> under pressure. Any truth to that?

> Yes it is true... It has a pressurized cartridge in the part. And we are
> not allowed to ship that item.
> River, P. Manivong
> Parts Advisor Majestic Honda
> 1300 Eddie Dowling Highway Lincoln, RI 02865
> 1-800-341-4113 fax
> 1-401-762-5547

Maybe if I just order them anyway, they'll ship'em???
-Don

 

[Willie Williford]

Thats "really weird". I wonder how they got them from the manufacturer? (Maybe they build them at MH.) :doubt:

Willie

All shocks, struts are "charged" now days from the manufacturers. Yes some of them are: gas, nitrogen, etc. Wonder how they get all over the usa. I wonder if there is a "strut farrie". 8)

Willie

 

[Insightful Trekker]

As has been mentioned in the thread eariler its an "issue" of air freight. Seems that UPS (and others) won't/don't sort their packages for ground only anymore. Yes they have a "ground only" shipping service, but its mainly for "heavyweight" items. It appears their system is such that a lightweight could slip through the cracks. And such items are at risk of explosion in an unpressureized aircraft cargo hold.

You could ask for motor freight shipping. :lol: But the cost for only 2 will put you off and given their system damage and loss are likely.

Some things _are_ cheaper at the dealer. :shock:

 

[dennismacleod]

Hatch struts - know where to find

I just finished installing my rear hatch struts. I purchased them from Bernardi Parts. They cost me $120 including shipping. They took about a week to get here. They look identical to the ones I took off. Hope this helps.

2001 Blue Insight 5MT

 

[BillR]

Mine hatch struts gave out this winter. There was only one available in Canada (left side) at $138 CDN each! I just ordered them through Majestic Honda's Web site for $52 USD each. They'll be shipping this week. My dented head will be much happier when they're replaced .

 

[mahout]

My hatch struts have suddenly died on my 2000 insight, and now my hatch has taken to hitting me on the head. I have search sites rec. in other posts, but they don't carry the struts - my dealer has them at $250 for the pair... any suggestions?

When my struts fail - any vehicle - I cut lengths of 1/4 or 3/8" aluminum channel to the correct length to hold the strut at extended position. In the gen 1 Insight I believe the length is 8.12" and the cost for 2 is less than $10. Lifetime is nearly forever.
spending $50 or more is ridiculous. Most of the time only one channel piece is needed so you can brace it left or right-handed..

 

[Aaron Cake]

I have purchased both struts from my local Honda dealer. At $76 each, they were the same price or cheaper then most online and aftermarket replacements. Quality struts like Honda sells are temperature compensated. Many cheaper aftermarket replacements are not and it does make a big difference.

 

[mahout]

I have purchased both struts from my local Honda dealer. At $76 each, they were the same price or cheaper then most online and aftermarket replacements. Quality struts like Honda sells are temperature compensated. Many cheaper aftermarket replacements are not and it does make a big difference.

Hoooo, boy. You might be interested to know Honda, like all manufacturers, buy their struts from suppliers. And there isn't enough difference to notice. As for temperature compensation just how is that done other than using a hydraulic fuid that has liuttle change in viscisity over a wide temperature range, as all oem suppliers.
Less than $10 buys aluminum 1/4" channel that when cut into 8" length holds the strut in extended position and never wears out.

 

[Willie Williford]

There are NO aftermarket struts made for the Insight 1.
I recently priced the cost of 1 strut from the local Honda dealer and it was $95.00. (Calif.)
Does anyone know why there are two different struts involved , one marked Left and one Right. (Haven't seen this on any other vehicle)
Any Insighter close to Marion, SC ? They might be able to solve our problem with struts.

 

[mahout]

There are NO aftermarket struts made for the Insight 1.
I recently priced the cost of 1 strut from the local Honda dealer and it was $95.00. (Calif.)
Does anyone know why there are two different struts involved , one marked Left and one Right. (Haven't seen this on any other vehicle)
Any Insighter close to Marion, SC ? They might be able to solve our problem with struts.

The struts have to be left-hand and right hand, lot like calipers..
If you are put off by the ridiculous prices - and there are aftermarket sources but not much cheaper - and don't like the crude solution of channel braces to hold the strut in the extended position, you can drill and tap the housing to sustitute motorcycle fork oil that will make up for the worn orifices.
Fork Oil comes in a series of viscosities so you can find the one that works best. And yes, they are rtemperature compensated.
Good luck.

 

[Aaron Cake]

Yes, of course, Honda buys their parts from suppliers. But consider that suppliers have tiers, and make products to the specifications of their customers.

I do know quite a lot about struts, coming from the DeLorean world where it is very important to get a quality set of struts so that the doors open evenly and don't sag in cold weather. And the struts don't just contain oil, they are also gas filled (generally nitrogen).

You could imagine what I think about bracing a hatch with aluminum channel as a permanent fix.

 

[joecvt]

Honda list price is $73.87 for each one....Majestic Honda sells them for $52.45 (plus shipping) but there was a time when Majestic decided not to ship these items due to the contents inside them. I got mine awhile back before they had this policy. Not sure if the policy still stands but if you know of anyone in Rhode Island (or nearby), they could probably pick them up for you. Rhode Island is not that big of a state so it would be a short trip .

Here is the link:
Honda Automotive Parts

There may be other online places that would sell them this cheap too (compared to Honda list price).

JoeCVT = Just your average CVT owner

 

[mahout]

Honda list price is $73.87 for each one....Majestic Honda sells them for $52.45 (plus shipping) but there was a time when Majestic decided not to ship these items due to the contents inside them. I got mine awhile back before they had this policy. Not sure if the policy still stands but if you know of anyone in Rhode Island (or nearby), they could probably pick them up for you. Rhode Island is not that big of a state so it would be a short trip .

Here is the link:
Honda Automotive Parts

There may be other online places that would sell them this cheap too (compared to Honda list price).

JoeCVT = Just your average CVT owner

My aftermarkets cost less than $10 for the two, never fail and last virtually forever.