How to install trunk lifts.

[bwinkler]

I know this a bit of a thread resurrection but I've just gone through this today and wanted to add a few useful tips that I found across multiple sites.

Lowering both rear seats and lying across them to access the opposite side's strut (so your legs hang out the drivers side while you're working on the passenger side) makes it super easy to punch/press upwards (towards the sky) the silver/thin part of the strut to release and then to pull downwards (towards the earth) to get them to lock into place.

Lifting the boot lid as far as it will go will allow you to attach the thick end of the strut to the boot lid if you're using junkyard struts. I feel rather stupid admitting this but I didn't push it far enough upwards to allow the strut to be attached, further than I thought it went. Thanks to skreckman for that one.

[cn90]

Old thread coming back alive.....

Question for the pro:

Stabilus 9485547 $27/each on Amazon.com. This is OEM.

Strong-Arm 4334 ($23/each at Advance Autoparts, and $18/each online etc.).
Made is USA, is this any good?

[alexk243]

My trunk on my 850T sedan stays open, but when I close it, wham it comes down quick. Did the new struts fix that? It's a heavy trunk lid.

Same exact issue, but mine has a spoiler... Seems like a stock spoiler so why is it doing this?

[bwinkler]

Old thread coming back alive.....

Question for the pro:

Stabilus 9485547 $27/each on Amazon.com. This is OEM.

Strong-Arm 4334 ($23/each at Advance Autoparts, and $18/each online etc.).
Made is USA, is this any good?

As no pro has answered you, I'll chime in. I would personally just get the OEM or a brand with a good rep that lists it as an equivalent part for the extra few bucks.

My trunk on my 850T sedan stays open, but when I close it, wham it comes down quick. Did the new struts fix that? It's a heavy trunk lid.

Same exact issue, but mine has a spoiler... Seems like a stock spoiler so why is it doing this?

That's an indication the struts are on the way out. Mine did that, one strut was fine, the other leaked oil so it's was fine keeping it up (as the weight is on the hinge) but not enough to stop it slamming. Replace it before it bangs your head

[ashyu]

My trunk on my 98 S70 GLT wasn't staying open anymore, and slamming down, really, really hard. It was very heavy to open as well, so I ordered a pair of the Stabilus struts from ipdusa (http://www.ipdusa.com/products/4849/106 ... port-shock).

When installing them, I removed one of the old struts and noticed that it was completely flat - I could compress it with my hands with no effort at all. After replacing that one, I noticed that the trunk now stays open and doesn't close down very hard anymore.

I didn't replace the second strut - should I still replace it? (I couldn't compress the second strut by hand, so it still seems to have a good amount of pressure in it). I just wasn't sure if it's better to replace them in pairs or if it's ok to do one at a time as they fail?

(Before I had the problems of the trunk not staying open, it used to stay open, but closed down pretty hard - so not sure if one or both of the struts were going bad)

[QuirkySwede]

I'd at least pull the other to see if it's flat too, and if so...

[BEJinFbk]

I see you're posting from Canada. Cold can be a factor.
My 16 year old wagon still has the factory struts. When
it's warm, they work fine, but when the temperature
drops, the gate can drop.
My point is, if they do their job, even when it's cold out,
I'd say you're OK. Save it and a few bucks for the future.

[joe_pinehill]

I have to replace mine on the 850 sedan. Anyone have experience with the TuffSupports from FCP? It saves $16 for the pair, and FCP web page says they are guaranteed for life.

[ashyu]

I see you're posting from Canada. Cold can be a factor.
My 16 year old wagon still has the factory struts. When
it's warm, they work fine, but when the temperature
drops, the gate can drop.
My point is, if they do their job, even when it's cold out,
I'd say you're OK. Save it and a few bucks for the future.

Yes, actually the strut that I replaced failed on a cold day! (Probably -20 degrees Celsius). I opened the trunk and heard a hissing noise as if someone was releasing high-pressured gas. I'm guessing the seals on the strut failed due to the cold weather (which seems to make everything more brittle).

I'll double check the second strut, but seeing that the trunk seems to be fine now, perhaps I'll just keep the second replacement as a spare in case the second strut fails anytime in the near future.

[mecheng]

Does anybody have the updated instructions for this job? Thanks