Gas Struts

Experienced Gas Strut Manufacturers

From the initial design to concept, development, prototype, testing, and full production, we cover the entire lifespan of our gas strut products. Our comprehensive UK manufacturing facility, coupled with our Lesjöfors Group partnership, means we have the ability to manage customer requirements from single units up to hundreds of thousands of units.

Our international connections allow us to maintain the highest quality gas struts, benefit from high production rates and provide cost effective gas strut solutions to our customers across the globe.

Our High-Quality Gas Strut Products

Here at Metrol Motion Control, we stock a wide range of gas struts and gas springs for a wide variety of applications. We’re proud to be a leading UK supplier of adjustable and fixed force gas struts. We’re also more than happy to offer custom struts and gas strut end fittings where required. Our stock product range covers rod diameters from 6mm up to 25mm and forces from 30n up to 7500N. So, whatever length, stroke, diameter or force you require, we’re sure to have something for your next project.

If you know exactly what you’re looking for, please type the product code into the search bar above. If not, make sure to contact us or view our FAQs for gas struts below.

Contact the Metrol Team for Gas Struts

As leading UK gas strut manufacturers, we’re best placed to advise you on the use or application of our products. From heavy-duty pneumatic gas struts to lightweight, small gas struts, let us help you to order with confidence. If you need guidance, please don’t hesitate to contact us using our online form or by calling us on 01604 499332.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What Are Gas Struts and How Do They Work?

Gas struts are hydro pneumatic rams. The gas/oil filled units provide a smooth controlled movement to lids, hatches and doors. Gas struts are self-contained, maintenance free units. When used in accordance with manufacturers’ guidelines, they will give years of trouble-free service. A gas strut consists of a rod that slides in and out of a pressurised sealed tube. The rod has a piston riveted to one end which prevents it from being forced out of the tube when pressurised.

The force of the gas strut is provided by the gas pressure acting on the cross-sectional area of the rod. The higher the gas pressure, the higher the force of the strut. The piston has a metering orifice which allows the gas/oil to pass from one side of the piston to the other. By altering the size of this orifice, the rate of extension can be varied.
The oil within the gas strut produces the damping characteristics throughout the stroke, subject to the correct orientation. As the rod extends from a compressed position, the oil zone will dampen the movement as it reaches its full extension, giving a smooth, controlled stop. The damping characteristics can be changed by using different viscosity and volume of oil in the tube.

What Can Gas Struts and Springs Be Used For?

Our gas struts can be found in many industries, including marine, lorries and trailers, industrial machinery, furniture, caravans, motorhomes and much more. The versatility of our range makes them suitable for various applications, including upward-lifting doors, hatches, car boots, industrial machinery, the list goes on!
There are many benefits of using gas struts for applications that require lifting, counterbalance, damping, tensioning, clamping, ejection, anti-vibration and safety-overload.

Which Gas Strut is Right for You?

There are so many different options in our range that deciding which gas strut is right for your application is a daunting task. That’s why we break down our offerings through the categories above, by material and size, or by the application for which you intend to use the product.

We also supply a range of other high-quality components to fulfil other roles in your application, such as locks, hinges, latches, or gaskets.

How to Select a Gas Strut for a New Application?

If installing a strut on a new application or replacing a strut with different dimensions or force we always recommend using our free gas strut design service. We are unable to accurately suggest a specific gas strut unless we have full details of the application on which it is going to be installed. You can download and fill out our replacement gas strut order form, you can contact us or visit our design service (linked above).

Which Gas Strut End Fittings and Brackets Should Be Used?

If you are unsure which end fittings or brackets to use, please refer to our free gas strut design service. We advise the use of ball joints where possible. Utilising ball joints enables you to prolong the life of the gas strut and reduces strain on the end fittings, by removing the risk of side loading.

Can Metrol Manufacture Custom-Made Gas Struts?

Yes, we can. If you cannot find the specific size you are looking for amongst our standard range of gas struts, please get in touch and we can discuss your requirements for a custom-made gas strut. 

How Are Gas Struts Installed?

For standard compression gas struts we advise the use of ball joints to alleviate possible side loading, and uneven wearing of the piston rod/seals. Install the strut, piston rod down, for optimum lubrication of the guide and sealing system at all times. Always install the strut in its relaxed state.
It is advisable to keep the strut in a single plane of movement. Failure to adhere to this advice may result in a reduced lifespan of the strut. Ensure that the end fittings are tightly fastened onto the thread of the gas struts prior to fitting.
If the end fittings require aligning, the piston rod of the gas strut can rotate inside the body (cylinder). Place and hold the piston end fixing on a flat surface, grip the cylinder and firmly twist it until the end fitting is aligned correctly.

Fitting brackets

When utilising a bracket with a ball stud/end, the procedure to fit it to the relevant ball joint fitting is as follows:

• Remove the retaining clip from the ball socket by rotating it from around the collar of the socket and then pull it out from the two locating holes.
• Ensure the ball socket is fully tightened onto the thread of the strut. Then, using a vice or pair of pliers, grip the ball stud and with a rotating motion, remove the ball stud from the socket.
• Once removed, place the ball socket over the corresponding bracket and press firmly downwards until a positive ‘click’ is heard.
• Once the ball of the bracket is firmly located inside the socket, reinsert the retaining clip into the two locating holes, and clip it back over the collar of the socket.

If in any doubt as to the installation procedure, please contact Metrol on 01604 499 332. These installation instructions can be seen, alongside descriptive diagrams, by downloading Metrol’s Gas Spring Installation Instructions.

How Can Old Nitrogen Gas Struts Be Disposed?

The majority of a gas spring is made of metal and therefore can be recycled. If you are going to dispose of a gas spring yourself, e.g. if it has been damaged or has otherwise become unusable, bear in mind the following:

1. Gas struts need to be depressurised by drilling a 3mm hole 20mm from the tube end with it fixed in the vertical position and the piston rod down and in the fully extended position. Nitrogen is an inert gas and is neither explosive nor toxic, however, we recommend that you seek advice by contacting Metrol before depressurising gas struts. Always wear protective goggles, clothing and ear defenders when depressurising gas springs.
2. The oil will need to be drained following depressurisation. This can be recycled in accordance with local regulations.
3. The gas strut can then be taken to a metal recycling centre in accordance with local regulations.