Falling seat-seat damper.... Fixed!

[SteveP]

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The seat on my 2014 Forza has never stayed up like it should, and hasn't stayed up at all for a couple years. It's a common lament here on this Forum. A while back a GeorgeSK posted that Honda has a new, stronger damper and that he had one installed and it worked...his seat now was staying open! So I decided to order one and install it. Part # is 83590-k04-932 (old one was 83590-k04-931 I believe) and I paid $45 for it from the dealer. Installing it is a pain-in-the-rear! To get to both ends you need to remove the seat (of course) and the luggage box...but to get the luggae box out you need to remove both side covers and the spoiler (luggage rack) cover, battery cover and tool box. They're held on with a combination of cap screws, screws, clips and hidden tabs....grrrrrr I long for the days when things were held together with obvious srews and bolts! Once all that stuff is off, replacing the damper is easy. You don't need to "unpolt" the damper...the ball joints at the end can be popped out of the damper easily IF you first pry back the spring clip that holds the joint into the damper. I've attached (hopefully!) a photo of what you pry out to get the ball joint out. They snap back into the damper easily. Anyway....after all this work (putting the panels back is as big, or bigger, pain then removing them) I'm excited to say...the seat stays up!!! It even takes a small noticeable effort to bring the seat back down. How long this will continue to work?...we'll see.

This new damper is shown in the parts book for 2016 (and I assume for newer ones) Forzas. The old part number was still shown for the 2014 & 2015 models...altho maybe updated parts books might now have the newer #. The part is labelled "lift-o-matic" on the part. The new one says Made in Germany...the old one doesn't say where it's made.

[GeorgeSK]

You won't believe how such a small thing will please you over the next few weeks! Congratulations, and happy if I provided any inspiration.

[easyrider]

Here is an easier way to keep the seat up. No removal of parts , risking breakage, and easily replaced if necessary. Video below about one minute and shows the installation..
http://mimed.io/s/5a61tg0jkdo0h6mgoul4saq7j3

[SteveP]

Here is an easier way to keep the seat up. No removal of parts , risking breakage, and easily replaced if necessary. Video below about one minute and shows the installation..
http://mimed.io/s/5a61tg0jkdo0h6mgoul4saq7j3

Looks good. I thought about doing something like that but wasn't sure about the selecting the pressure, length and location. Hoe did you determine what to get and where to locate it? Seems if not the correct length and location it might bind up when closing the seat.

I looked at your video...and found I couldn't get out of it using the back-arrow. I had to log-off the internet, then log back on. ??

[easyrider]

You can get these struts from Westmarine or any cabinet supplier. This is the one I used and I just drilled and screwed it into the side of the seat pan and then to the seat. Very easy.. Takes about ten minutes and not taking apart anything.

Apexstone 100N/22.5lb Gas Spring/Springs,Gas Struts,Lift Support,Lid Support
Force:100N/22.5lb (Per Strut);Length ( hole center to hole center) :10 inch
Support opens lids to a maximum angle of 90 degrees
Suitable for Cabinet,Doors,Box ,Trunk ,Container etc.
With 5 screws to fix bracket ; English Manual included
We provide liftime warranty
Size Name: 2pcs This Apexstone lid support can be used for cabinet door , ,trunk ,piano frame ,container etc.

[GeorgeSK]

The simple spring will work fine, and would have been my fix if I hadn't had to opportunity to get it fixed by the man under warranty. Here are three places to get such a thing:

http://www.iboats.com/Stainless-Steel-H ... AlTz8P8HAQ

https://jet.com/product/detail/8540ad68 ... oCVQPw_wcB

http://www.boatingandrv.com.au/deck-har ... rt-spring/

[dergav]

Simple solution and works perfectly...and easily installed.

[Gekomaro]

You can get these struts from Westmarine or any cabinet supplier. This is the one I used and I just drilled and screwed it into the side of the seat pan and then to the seat. Very easy.. Takes about ten minutes and not taking apart anything.

I had mine ordered at Aliexpress.com at a price of $ 3.18

https://www.aliexpress.com/item-img/For ... 64694.html

And it works fine.

[kar120c]

What parts should I must take apart to access the seat damper ?

[scvi64]

Hi,
I ordered one of these dampers you mentioned on aliexpress, but can't agree with the fact that it works fine!
It is simply not strong enough and 2 would be necessary..one on each side!
But then it gets difficult to put a helmet inside the backtrunck..

The other solution is to replace the original mini sidedamper called 500N with a stronger one : 700N.(Honda original parts or eventually any other damper of that size !)

To change the damper: one only needs to take out the sidepanels around the damper... Nothing more! Then to unclip thé damper.
Some youtube vdos show how to do that!

[leoper]

http://hondaforza.forumcommunity.net/?t=58570312



http://www.hondapcx.org/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=6276

[jburner]

Here is an easier way to keep the seat up. No removal of parts , risking breakage, and easily replaced if necessary. Video below about one minute and shows the installation..
http://mimed.io/s/5a61tg0jkdo0h6mgoul4saq7j3

Resurrecting a terribly old post, but this link doesn't work. Is it possible to see somewhere else? Not sure it's worth replacing the entire shock to the tune of $45.

[GeorgeSK]

Honda replaced mine with the newer, higher power unit back in 2016. I was still under warranty. It works well, even holding up my much heavier aftermarket seat. To my mind. it would be worth the $45 for the real fix.

I believe that one of those spring things I linked to earlier would also work well, and might bend out of the way if you do use that part of the storage for your helmet. I cannot guarantee this solution, but it is inexpensive.

Barring that, I was reasonably OK with just having a well sized stick on hand to prop the seat up while loading. Not the most convenient, but free. Unfortunately, it also rubs you nose in the fact that you are putting up with some bean counter's lame decision on a part choice.

[jburner]

Ended up ordering the newer part number for the”upgraded” -932 damper/shock from my local dealer and he ended up being less $ than I could get it online. Now to figure out how to install without disassembling the whole bike.

[jburner]

Well, that couldn’t have gone any easier... 2 panels off, old damper off, new on and panels back on. Never been so excited for a seat that stays open. For the life of me, I cannot figure out why the engineers didn’t just make the seat so that it can go all the way open and they wouldn’t need the damper at all.

[MBMyer]

I installed a boat hatch spring and have never looked back. Pix are available on another post in this forum.

[salsa]

Well, that couldn’t have gone any easier... 2 panels off, old damper off, new on and panels back on. Never been so excited for a seat that stays open. For the life of me, I cannot figure out why the engineers didn’t just make the seat so that it can go all the way open and they wouldn’t need the damper at all.

I've had that same question about why they couldn't make it open all the way. It would be SO much easier to load!

[davenowherejones]

Easier to just use the back of my head to hold it open.

[MingRidesBikes]

I’m wanting my seat to stay open and willing to pay to make it work. Thanks for this thread! When I searched for the part number I saw it almost 1/2 the price on Amazon! It’s not an OEM part but an aftermarket replacement. Should get it in a few days and once installed I’ll let you all know how it works!

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[MingRidesBikes]

Issue fixed! Best upgrade/repair to the scoot!

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