Can You Replace Worn-Out Hydraulic Struts?

Lift-up storage beds are one of the smartest ways to reclaim space in a small bedroom. They hide suitcases, winter bedding and everything else that doesn’t fit in the closet. Most of the convenience comes from the pair of struts that lift the platform and hold it open while you reach inside. When those struts start to fail, the bed stops being convenient. The platform grows heavy, drifts down while you’re loading it, or refuses to stay open at all.

The good news is that worn struts are almost always replaceable, and you rarely need to replace the whole bed or even the whole lift mechanism. The key is identifying the right replacement parts and fitting them safely.

What the Struts Actually Do

Although they’re commonly called hydraulic struts, the lifts on most storage beds are gas springs. Each one is a sealed cylinder filled with pressurized nitrogen and a small amount of oil. When you lift the bed, the gas pushes the piston rod outward and does most of the work for you. When you close the bed, your weight pushes the rod back in and compresses the gas.

The oil lubricates the seal and slows the movement at the end of the stroke, which is why a healthy hydraulic storage bed opens smoothly instead of springing up. Over time, the seal wears, gas slowly escapes, and the strut loses force. It’s a gradual process, which is why many people don’t notice until the bed suddenly feels much harder to lift.

Signs Your Struts Are Wearing Out

Struts rarely fail overnight. The most common warning signs are:

• The platform feels heavier to lift than it used to.
• The bed won’t stay fully open and drifts down on its own.
• One side lifts more easily than the other, or the platform twists slightly as it rises.
• The bed closes with a thud instead of lowering gently.
• There are oily marks on the strut rod or on the frame near the cylinder.
• You hear hissing or squeaking when opening or closing the bed.

A single sign isn’t always proof of failure. Squeaks can come from dry pivot points, and a lopsided lift can be caused by a loose bolt. However, a platform that won’t stay open almost always points to struts that have lost pressure.

Rule Out Other Problems First

Before ordering new parts, check the rest of the mechanism. Look for bent lifting arms, loose or missing bolts, cracked brackets, and worn pivot points. Tighten any loose hardware and look at how the struts are attached. If one has come off its mounting ball or pin, reattaching it may solve the problem.

Also consider whether anything has changed. If you recently switched to a thicker memory foam or hybrid mattress, the platform may now be carrying far more weight than the original struts were designed for. In that case, the struts haven’t necessarily failed; they are simply underpowered for the new load.

How to Find the Right Replacement

Choosing the correct replacement is the most important part of the job. A strut that’s too weak won’t hold the bed open, and one that’s too strong will make the bed spring up and hard to close. You’ll need four pieces of information.

• Force rating: This is usually printed on the cylinder in newtons, shown as a number followed by “N,” for example 800N, 1000N or 1200N. Match this number unless you’ve changed mattresses. Some lift mechanisms are sold in several strengths for different mattress weights, so check the manufacturer’s guidance if it’s available.
• Extended length:  Measure from the center of one mounting point to the center of the other with the strut fully extended.
• Compressed length or stroke: Stroke is the difference between the extended and compressed lengths, which tells you how far the rod travels. If you can’t compress the old strut to measure it, the extended length and stroke listed on the cylinder or in the bed’s manual will usually be enough.
• End fittings: Look at how each end attaches. Some struts have eyelets that bolt through the frame, while others clip onto ball studs or pins. The replacement needs matching fittings, or at least fittings compatible with your mounting brackets.

If the markings have worn off, contact the bed’s manufacturer or retailer with the model name. Many furniture companies sell replacement struts or can tell you the specifications.

Replace Them in Pairs

Even if only one strut seems weak, replace both. Struts on the same bed have gone through the same number of cycles, so the second one is usually close to failing too. More importantly, a new strut paired with a worn one creates uneven force across the platform, which can twist the frame and strain the hinges over time.

Fitting New Struts Safely

Gas springs contain pressurized gas and store energy, so the process deserves a little care. The general approach is:

1. Get a helper: A storage bed platform with a mattress on it is heavy, and one person needs to support it while the other works.
2. Open the bed fully and prop it securely: Use a sturdy piece of wood or a similar solid support wedged between the base and the platform. Don’t rely on the failing struts or on a person’s arms alone.
3. Remove the old struts one at a time: Unscrew the bolts or unclip the ends, depending on the fitting type. Note which way each strut was mounted before you take it off.
4. Fit the new struts in the same orientation: Most gas springs perform best and last longest when mounted rod-down, because it keeps the seal lubricated by the internal oil. If your bed’s instructions specify a direction, follow them.
5. Test before loading: Remove the prop carefully, then open and close the bed several times to check that it lifts smoothly, stays open and closes without slamming.

Never try to open, cut, puncture or heat an old strut, even one you believe has lost all its pressure. Take used struts to a local recycling or metal disposal facility and let them know what the items are.

If the struts are part of a sealed mechanism, or if you’re not comfortable working under a heavy platform, a furniture repair technician can usually handle the job quickly.

What If the Whole Mechanism Is Worn?

Sometimes new struts won’t be enough. If the lifting arms are bent, the brackets are cracked, or the mounting holes in the bed frame have stripped out, it may be better to replace the entire lift mechanism. Complete replacement mechanisms are sold in standard sizes and usually come with struts already fitted.

In most cases, though, struts are the part that wears out first, and replacing them restores a hydraulic storage bed to almost new condition at a fraction of the cost of a new bed.

Making New Struts Last Longer

A few habits can significantly extend the life of your struts:

• Lift the platform from the center of the foot end rather than from one corner, so both struts share the load evenly.
• Avoid sitting on the platform while it’s open or partially raised.
• Don’t overload the platform or use it as a shelf while it’s open.
• Keep the rods clean. Dust and grit on the rod can damage the seal each time it slides in.
• Check the mounting bolts every few months and tighten them if needed.
• If you upgrade to a heavier mattress, check whether your current struts are still rated for the weight.

In short, yes, worn-out struts can be replaced, and in most cases it’s a straightforward job. Match the force rating, lengths and fittings, replace both struts at once, and support the platform properly while you work. With the right parts in place, a hydraulic storage bed should open easily and hold its position for years to come.