My car has never had OEM support struts. My aftermarket ones hold the trunk up fine at the fully opened level but when you go to close it the trunk doesn't have any "soft close" or dampening action. If you push the trunk lid down it will slam like nothing is supporting it. I have to close the trunk and support it the whole way down to prevent it slamming and I have to make sure I'm the one to close it because passengers don't expect the trunk to slam.

Is this how OEM struts work as well? I don't mind paying for the OEM ones if my aftermarket ones aren't working the way the factory ones do I just want to be sure before I buy.

 

I also have aftermarket trunk supports from Renault 19 and they're the same crap. Too strong and I have to push the trunk hard to close it.
I remember that my previous ones (don't know if they were OEM) - were much better untill they died.

Maybe someone can recommend a good alternative to OEM (not paying that much for OEM).

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/143845117937

here are the ones I bought for my 2003 ls430. I've had them for 13 months and have NO problem. To open the trunk it takes a little bit of lift on my part, to close the trunk, I have to get it started and just let my hand ride down with the trunk. Also, they are cheap enough that I can replace them frequently and still save money

P.S. I use the trunk quite frequently!

 

I went with the ones from FIGS a few years back, no complaints so far.

 

I have Lexus OEM replacements. The trunk is hard to open until they take up the weight and it basically just slams shut unless I guide the trunk door. Frankly for a luxury car, that was a miss. The trunk should pop open all the way. Think of all the old people who bought this car and have to lift that heavy trunk... even I don't like doing it.

I have to wonder why it has a soft close feature at all. A Lincoln Town Car has a better trunk close operation than an LS430, haha.

But it is what it is.