Tailgate Won't Stay Open

Alwick · Post by **Alwick** » 16 Jan 2007, 06:15

My V70's tailgate has an annoying habit of closing on my head while I'm pulling things out of the back of the car. I know it's a heavy door, hence all the plastic panels popping loose, but it also hurts a bit.
Any thoughts as to how I can stop this? Is it a hinge adjustment?

jabber · Post by **jabber** » 16 Jan 2007, 07:17

I would think your struts are failing. They can be replaced very easily. A couple of clips and voila.

Jordan.

Alwick · Post by **Alwick** » 16 Jan 2007, 10:09

Door struts? Clips?
Care to elucidate?

CarVolvo · Post by **CarVolvo** » 16 Jan 2007, 11:30

The two black rods..cylinders on both sides of the back hatch. Tey are usually black and the they have silver rods. These look like mini shocks and keep your trunk or hatch falling down on you.

One might have failed or both.. so you have to replace them.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 16 Jan 2007, 16:51

You didn't say what model year your V70 was. There is a big difference between '00 and earlier and '01 and later....anyway, they look like this:

www.fcpgroton.com sells them on their website as well as on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-Volv ... otohosting
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Volvo-V7 ... dZViewItem

Alwick · Post by **Alwick** » 17 Jan 2007, 09:48

It's a '98, as my signature at the bottom says

Thanks for the info and link. I will tackle this DIY project once spring arrives as it's about 10 degrees right now.

Post by **luketrash** » 17 Jan 2007, 10:46

It's annoying, isn't it!

I've never bought a Volvo wagon that didn't have failed shock struts.

I still need to do my 850. On the 240 and 960 wagons I've had, the struts are external and very easy to change.

The 850/V70 hides them behind plastic trim, so there is some disassembly involved..

I need to get new struts and the tailgate fix kit that makes the plastic facade stay in place, where it belongs...

larryh · Post by **larryh** » 17 Jan 2007, 19:34

you have to watch out with new struts cuz the gate will hit you in the kisser on the way up!