rominl

iTrader: (4)

well, i wonder if it's tear and wear, that your old car has been for a while and the struts were going out?

on my new 05 sc430, the trunk is definitely hard to open, that's some heavy trunk lid and some strong struts here

rominl

iTrader: (4)

umm.... i would really go in and talk with your dealership and see if they can do anything.

if i am correct, your car is still within 4 yrs from the purchase date. i guess it's your mileage that's over the warranty? imho, mileage won't really make the struts bad, it's the amount of times you use it, so it's more like on the time.

maybe the dealership will replace them for you under good will!

rominl

iTrader: (4)

i wonder if it has to do with the hard top roof too. when the hard top comes down, the trunk opens the other way (different direction), so the trunk struts are actually setup in a pretty complicated way (hard to explain). maybe that's what makes it hard to change? i am just guessing though

i can see how it's very easy to change on the sc400 or even my gs400. definitely within 1 hr

1ton

I just got mine replaced as well. The part was on backorder for a while. I have a question when closing the trunk. Since the new install of the struts, it is more difficult to close...I have to pull down then really push on the top part of the trunk to get it to close. Is that normal? I usually use the lever inside the trunk on the right hand side to pull down and don't really want to put fingerprints on the car by having to push it down also. Is this normal?

tfischer

In my experience, and I still have the original struts since April of 01, you do have to push the trunk lid closed, but not with any great amount of force.

I usually use that little inside handle to pull the lid down, and since my car is black and often clean, I don't like to just push down on the spoiler to close it. I often cose that last foot or so by pushing down on the red plastic tail light part at each side of the trunk lid, and this is enough.

I would think that if you have to slam it shut, something is (slightly) out of adjustment.

You should not have to live like that, slamming things around.

If it were my car, I would not consider this something calling for a special trip to the dealer, but on the next visit, I would mention this and ask him to check it out.

Happy New Year.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

on my 05 (totally new), that's the case, so i always thought it's normal. i don't have to push it with great force, but a little push to close the trunk lid

vvking

I usually have to slam the trunk with a moderate amount of force. It's been this way ever since I got my 2002 SC in April 2001. I always thought the reason for the "slam" was because the interior of the car is so airtight that the air pressure inside necessitated a slam.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

that's possible too, i find it pretty darn hard to close the door, but with the other side open it's so easy to close

hlovepenn

Check out the following for help on the trunk struts: http://www.cureline.net/lex/howtos/info_hood_shocks.htm
My wife's SC430 just needed trunk struts and they replaced them with 40,000 miles on it. By the way, the above website includes a way to use struts ffrom Autozone if you are interested! A lot of other good stuff, also. Good luck!

capper

I just bought a 2002, out of warrenty, but in good shape. I have the same problem with the trunk struts and their inability to hold the trunk open (I have the spoiler as well, which apparently increases their weight bearing load....however, you would think a car this well built would have a trunk that would stay open longer than 2 years)....I called Lexus of Nashville...the struts, for parts, are $150 each, so it's $300 plus installation in Nashville...they also said they don't keep them in stock, but can get them iwth 3-4 days notice. Capper

lisalisa

hi guys!

I just got my trunk struts replaced a few days ago...the trunk now stays open but its a little heavy to close and open..but way better. also, when i went in there the service manager notice that my remote key had a crack in the case so he ordered me a new one as good will.

JCtx

Well, I was going to write a new post on this subject, and found this right at the top.

My car is a year old ('04), and with only 2,200 miles. My trunk is hard to lift, as has always been, but now it doesn't open by ltself, like it used to do. However, it doesn't go back down either, wherever I leave it. Since it's cold (about 50ºF inside the garage), and gas contracts with cold temps, this might be normal behavior indeed. Hope to hear from newer car owners.

Have a great weekend.

JC

rominl

iTrader: (4)

congrats! mind telling us which dealership you went to?

lisalisa

Hi guys!

I took my car to Valley Lexus in Modesto..the guys there were great!

Ed Moulton

My 2002 SC430 trunk struts were shot (would not hold up trunk lid). I found a great source on eBay (his eBay call name = mrlousstuff) for Lexus replacement struts. He also has an online eBay store called "Lift Supports Depot.com". I purchased a pair to fit SC430 with spoiler for $76.60 (buy it now, no bidding required). He shipped promptly after PayPal payment. I installed in about 30 minutes. You can use screwdriver to gently pry open the clip holding strut to ball on original struts. I really like the new struts' pin that holds them in place, I believe superior to the original clip. Just wanted to share my positive experience.
Regards all,
Ed