Ottoman Bed Gas Struts Replacement Guide: How to Choose & Fit the Right Ones

If your ottoman bed no longer lifts smoothly, feels heavy to open, or the mattress base won't stay up — your gas struts have almost certainly lost pressure. It's one of the most common ottoman bed issues in the UK, and the good news is that replacing them is a job you can do yourself in about 15 minutes.

This guide walks you through everything: how to identify the right struts, how to measure them, how to fit them safely, and how to avoid the mistakes that cause 90% of returns.

Why Ottoman Bed Gas Struts Fail

Gas struts are pressurised cylinders filled with nitrogen gas. Over time (typically 3–7 years), they slowly lose pressure through natural seal wear. When that happens, you'll notice:

• The bed base feels heavier to lift
• The mattress won't stay up on its own
• Loud creaking or juddering when opening
• One side dropping while the other holds
• Complete collapse when trying to close

Both struts should always be replaced together. Even if only one has failed, the other is likely close behind — and mismatched pressures cause uneven lifting that damages the hinge frame.

How to Identify the Right Ottoman Bed Gas Struts

There are three things you must match exactly. Get any of these wrong, and the replacement won't work properly.

1. Force Rating (N-Rating)

The most important spec. Look on the barrel of your current strut — the force is printed in Newtons (N):

• 600N — Small single/small double ottoman beds with lightweight bases
• 700N — Standard single and small double beds
• 750N — Common for standard double ottoman beds
• 800N — Heavier double or small king ottoman beds
• 1200N — King, super king, and reinforced ottoman beds with heavier bases

Never mix ratings. Fitting a 1200N strut where a 750N was originally installed will make the bed shoot up violently and damage the frame. Fitting a 600N where 1200N was needed means the bed won't stay open at all.

2. Extended Length (Eye-to-Eye)

Measure your current strut fully extended, from the centre of one eye hole to the centre of the other eye hole. The two most common lengths for ottoman beds are:

• 340mm eye-to-eye — Common on newer UK ottoman beds
• 360mm eye-to-eye — Common on older or heavier lift mechanisms

If you're off by even 20mm, the strut won't fit correctly. It's the single biggest cause of returns.

3. End Fitting Type

Ottoman bed struts almost always use 8mm eye ends (a round hole at each end that a bolt passes through). Check this before ordering — if your struts have ball joints, clevis forks, or any other fitting type, they're not standard ottoman bed struts.

Quick Match Table for UK Ottoman Beds

Should You Buy Struts Only or a Full Set?

If your hinges and mechanism are in good condition — just the struts have failed — buy replacement struts only. You'll save money and the job takes 5 minutes.

If your hinge frame is rusty, bent, or the pivot pins are worn, buy a complete lift mechanism set. This includes new hinges, new struts and fixings — everything you need to replace the entire lift system.

Step-by-Step: How to Fit Ottoman Bed Gas Struts

You'll need: A helper (or something to prop the base up), a 13mm spanner or socket, and about 15 minutes.

Step 1: Open the Bed Safely

Fully open the ottoman bed and prop the mattress base with something rigid (a broom handle wedged between the frame and the base works well). Never rely on the failed struts to hold the base while you work.

Step 2: Remove the Old Struts

At each end of the strut, you'll find a bolt passing through the 8mm eye. Undo it with a 13mm spanner. The strut will come away easily once both ends are unbolted.

Step 3: Fit the New Struts

Position the new strut with the piston rod facing down when the bed is closed. This is important — installing them upside down accelerates wear dramatically. Bolt each end through the 8mm eye, using the same bolts you removed.

Step 4: Test

Remove the prop, then slowly lower the bed and lift it again. It should now open smoothly with light effort and stay up on its own.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not matching the N-rating exactly — even a 100N difference causes problems
• Only replacing one strut — always replace both together
• Fitting struts upside down — the piston rod must face down when closed
• Forgetting to prop the base — never rely on failed struts for safety
• Ignoring hinge damage — if hinges are bent, buy a full set

FAQs About Ottoman Bed Gas Struts

How long do ottoman bed gas struts last? Most last 3 to 7 years with regular use. Higher-quality struts and lighter mattresses will extend that. If yours are failing after only a year or two, it may be that the wrong force rating was originally fitted.

Can I use a higher N-rating for stronger lift? No. The N-rating is matched to the weight of your specific bed base and mattress. Using a higher rating causes the bed to shoot up too fast, damage the hinges, and become unsafe to close.

How do I know if my struts are 340mm or 360mm? Fully extend the strut and measure from the centre of one eye hole to the centre of the other eye hole. This is called the "eye-to-eye" measurement.

Do I need to replace the hinges too? Only if they're bent, rusted, or worn. If they look OK and pivot smoothly, just the struts are needed. If in doubt, a complete lift mechanism set gives you everything for peace of mind.

Can I fit these myself, or do I need a professional? This is a DIY-friendly job that takes 15 minutes with basic tools (a 13mm spanner). No professional needed for standard replacements.

Are ottoman bed gas struts universal? No — they must match the force rating, length and fitting type of your original struts. Always check before ordering.

Shop Ottoman Bed Gas Struts at SpringFix UK

We stock the complete range of UK ottoman bed gas struts and lift mechanisms:

• Complete Ottoman Bed Collection →
• 600N to 1200N force ratings
• 340mm and 360mm eye-to-eye lengths
• Struts only or complete lift mechanism sets
• Same-day dispatch on orders before 16:00

All parts dispatched same-day from UK stock via Royal Mail, Yodel or DPD.

Not sure which struts you need? Message us with a photo of your current strut showing the N-rating and both ends — we'll confirm the right replacement before you buy.

Related Guides

• Bed Lift Mechanism Explained: How Ottoman Bed Gas Struts Work
• Ottoman Bed Gas Strut Sizes Explained

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Article by SpringFix UK — Gas struts, brackets and engineering hardware. UK based, UK dispatched.