Two members and I were cleaning the engine bay and replacing the belt of a 2005 Base Roadster and we ran across a gas-strut tensioner. Two of us have '05 roadsters and both have the "clock spring" tensioners.

First one I've seen. Anyone else?

 

I had a gas strut tensioner on my '04. My '05 has a spring type tensioner.

 

Dave, would you agree that exposing a gas strut to the conditions found there are...less than optimal? I'd figure an early death from the combination of heat and dirt?

 

My '04 doesn't have the strut but I have seen them on others. I thought the strut was just a 'helper' to assist the tensioner but I have never had the opportunity to mess with one yet.

 

My 05 has the strut and tensioner ,the bushing is failing so the strut rattles and drives me nuts .edit * the strut is actually a damper 56.07 from Chrysler

 

Here's a pic

 

My 05 LImited had the tensioner and strut, I had to change the tensioner today - new part came with no strut and the hole to anchor the strut is not threaded - so now my car has a tensioner without a strut. The Strut seems (to me) to be just a damper but I don't think I understand why it was on there - or if I should be concerned that it is no longer on there.


Anyway, I replaced the idler pulley as well and my rattle appears to be gone.

 

My damper is blown so the tensioner does occasionally rattle. I'll fix it eventually.