I bought a super clean low miles '03 LS430. I have question about how the trunk lid is supposed to react when I open it. I have had a cars where the trunk lid raises automatically when I press the trunk button on the remote key fob. This car releases the lock on the trunk but the lid does not raise up, so I have to grab it with my hand and pull it up. Are the trunk strut rods on the LS430 supposed to push the trunk lid up? Or is this normal for the need to manually pull up the trunk lid?

 

This is how it normally is. You press the button and it opens up just an inch, and then you would just raise it manually.

You'd know the struts are gone if it can't hold the weight of itself and fall down every time you open it.

When closing the trunk, you also want to just close about the same way it looked right after you pressed the button, just an edge showing. You will notice that it will automatically close by itself.

 

Mine is definitely the same way as well. It just pops up about an inch when I hit the button, then I have to raise it myself.

 

I'm pretty sure that's the way they all work. I have access to three of them; 01. 02 and and 04 and I've replaced the struts on all of them and even with new struts, just pops up a little and then patiently waits for you to lift it the rest of the way. You should also be able to gently close to that position and it should auto close once you press it down. You don't have to slam it.

Then I read what theking911 wrote and yes... what he said.

 

Thanks. just wanted to be sure before I wasted money on new struts. Also, I replaced the sub woofer with one that a bought from Crutchfield and this Mark Levinson sound system sounds absolutely great

 

Mine pops open maybe half and inch. And it takes some effort to raise it from lowered to open. And that is with brand new struts.

 

On mine, the trunk kind of falls back into place once I start to lower it. It doesn't appear that the struts do much to provide a smooth, arrested close. Is that working to spec or do I need to replace the struts?

 

Sounds like they are failing Phil. Mine were replaced by the previous owner around 90k miles and it does not fall or close with any force. Pretty smooth though the range of operation. Of course it is easier to close then open but I can open the trunk then leave the it 1/3 open and it will hold position.

 

New OEM struts should hold the trunk lid open when closing until there is approximately 12- 15 inches between the lower part of the lid and full closure.

 

The reassures me that mine is in normal operation. I thought the weighted feeling of the lid/effort it takes to lift meant that my struts are failing. It has no issues holding the lid 12"+ above the opening. I'm surprised how much effort it takes to lift when compared to the LS400 ...