Door strut bracket recomendations - Grady or Heninger?

[stevedmc]

Today I replaced my door struts and noticed the brackets have a tiny bit of play in them. Lately I have been replacing parts as they break, but I think it would be wise to replace/upgrade this part before it breaks.

As far as I know there are two options. Heninger's retrofit kit (in attached picture) and what Grady is selling. I am not familiar with what Grady has and can't find it on his website.

Obviously, if I do have cracked fiberglass where the stock brackets mount I can still use Heninger's kit without any problems. His product seems like a great idea, but $160 does seem a bit expensive.

I also talked to Hervey and he doesn't sell anything like this. Does anyone have any information about the options? I seem to remember reading something like this on the old forum. Will Grady's still work with cracked fiberglass and is it cheaper?

Heninger's bracket:
http://deloreannewparts.com/store/page14.html

[jawn101]

Forgot about this thread, but I did end up using the Heninger brackets as well. I bought and started to install the ones from DPI but due to some bizarre imperfections in my tub, I could not correct the leaning studs even with the new brackets. Byrne was a lovely gent to work with and very helpful, and the brackets are really excellent.

A word to the wise though. Don't remove the ball studs from them. He torques them so they help the angle iron maintain rigidity. I removed one of mine just out of curiosity and ended up having a lot of flex in the bracket as a result. Byrne fixed it for me though...

[Patrick C]

I just discovered my driver side mount is crooked and the fiberglass is cracked. Is everyone still pleased with Henninger's repair? I would much rather go this route than have to remove a quarter panel and re-fiberglass.

[jawn101]

I just discovered my driver side mount is crooked and the fiberglass is cracked. Is everyone still pleased with Henninger's repair? I would much rather go this route than have to remove a quarter panel and re-fiberglass.

Sorry to hear it. Seems like another one of those repairs every owner will probably end up doing eventually.

Heninger's solution is still holding up magnificently for me.

[Patrick C]

Sorry to hear it. Seems like another one of those repairs every owner will probably end up doing eventually.

Heninger's solution is still holding up magnificently for me.

Perfect. Just ordered the set of 2, even though my passenger side seems ok for now. I might replace it out of preventative maintenance.

[JMLaux]

I ended up going with Grady's bracket. I wanted something that wouldn't be obvious as a repair. I didn't like riveting the bracket on so I made my own bracket to replace the one inside the body tub. It may be a little over kill but at least I know these brackets aren't going anywhere and hopefully the larger surface area will distribute the weight on the fiberglass tub a little more evenly.

000_0904.jpg

[mike123]

Forgot about this thread, but I did end up using the Heninger brackets as well. I bought and started to install the ones from DPI but due to some bizarre imperfections in my tub, I could not correct the leaning studs even with the new brackets. Byrne was a lovely gent to work with and very helpful, and the brackets are really excellent.

A word to the wise though. Don't remove the ball studs from them. He torques them so they help the angle iron maintain rigidity. I removed one of mine just out of curiosity and ended up having a lot of flex in the bracket as a result. Byrne fixed it for me though...

Is the door strut retainer screwed into the L-bracket? And does the L-bracket attach to anything on the small side of it? (I see all the attachment points on the long side but it's not clear to me what the short side is doing).

I might try to re-create something like this. I have the feeling I'll need it on my driver side in the next decade. And if it's as simple as a piece of steel with some holes, bent at the end and with the ball stud screwed or welded to it, I might actually be able to accomplish that.

Thanks!

[r00b]

You could always repair the fiberglass if it's cracking, even reinforce it while you're in there. No need for that kind of stuff.

[Timeless]

I might try to re-create something like this. I have the feeling I'll need it on my driver side in the next decade. And if it's as simple as a piece of steel with some holes, bent at the end and with the ball stud screwed or welded to it, I might actually be able to accomplish that.

Thanks!

Yep, simple plate. Honestly, 3M panel bond is SO strong I doubt bolts/screws are 100% necessary - it's added insurance.

[Patrick C]

Is the door strut retainer screwed into the L-bracket? And does the L-bracket attach to anything on the small side of it? (I see all the attachment points on the long side but it's not clear to me what the short side is doing).

I might try to re-create something like this. I have the feeling I'll need it on my driver side in the next decade. And if it's as simple as a piece of steel with some holes, bent at the end and with the ball stud screwed or welded to it, I might actually be able to accomplish that.

Thanks!

Byrne sold two different types of brackets. The original style kept the ball stud at a similar angle to the stock setup. I have this style installed. The later ?Blue Sky? system had the ball stud differently.