Well i finialy got the new lifters for my trunk and i was trying to put them on and could not
gett the old ones off the ball joint, any ideas
thanks

 

never mind just did not have enough light so see up in there.
But none the less those sc400 w/ spoiler are a lot stronger. If any one is haveing the same
problem with the trunk being to heavy with the spoiler on their 300. chep fix about $30
ethan

 

Please tell me more about this. My 93 SC400 already have the spoiler came with the car when I bought it, but it seem that I have to lift the truck up everytime the truck is unlock. Don't know if this is normal, maybe your fis is a good idea.

Thanks,

 

VQT....As far as I know its normal for the trunk not to open fully after unlocking. The problem that most people have after adding a spoiler is that the trunk does not stay open after its lifted due to the extra weight of the spoiler and the smaller lifters. I hope this is what you mean.

gadgetSC

 

gadgetSC,

That exactly what I meant, I thought that the last owner added the spoiler which made the trunk didn't pop up.
If this is normal for the trunk not pop up, then I guess the dealer installed it correctly.

 

I Quickly read this thread and I believe I have the same problem.

My 92 SC400 has a factory spoiler, the trunk stays up fine once its opened; but if I use the remote trunk opener (by the gas door opener) the shocks are not strong enough to lift the trunk up to unlatch it and keep it unlatched. In other words, someone has to be lifting up the trunk at the same time I push the trunk release button; if not then I have to unlock the trunk manually w/ the key.

I can't find any automotive store locally that can get in those trunk shocks to see if those are the problem. Every place I go to says they have them, then they play on their little computer behind the counter and then tell me that they can't even order them - dealer only item. I'm simpley too afraid to ask what Lexus charges for those puppies. Any help is appreciated. Where are you all getting the shocks for 30$. The only place that thought they could order them were pep boys and they charged me $69 EACH - but they refunded me the money because they were not able to get them in, even after I ordered them. They alleged they were discontinued.

Keith

 

Well i had that same problem at some places but then i called Checker Auto parts and asked them
they wre confussed because they had two part numbers for what appered to be the same part
so they told me that it was probly a misstake and they did not have the part but then i assked them
to check the #'s for a sc300 and there was only one part # so i told them that that number is not the
one i wanted and to order 2 of the other part # and they we could see when they came in. What came in
was a Steady Lift gas charged lift support Part # E 072-771 and they had the right mounting peices
so i went ahead and installed them and they work like a charm. Looking at the slip i paid $38.39 after tax.
That is worth not getting my head hit and also not having to use a prop. but once i figured out how they
out it was about a 15 min job use a 12mm and 11mm open endand a flat driver. So Call checker and for
part number E072-771.
ethan

 

Had problem with my trunk lifters also. Ordered Steady Lift gas charged from local Kragen Auto Parts. It was a two person job (trunk get pretty heavy when you take original support out). Now trunk works great. Steady Lift part # 072-770. To get old lifts out, you don't bend the tabs out, you push the tab out, towards the back, with a screwdriver

 

i went to kragen website. The steady lift parts are 25 dollars a piece. They have other ones made by strong arm for 19 dollars a piece. Is it just me or are these prices all out of wack??

which should i go with??


Arthur

 

i see the same price.. maybe it comes in pairs?

 

ok here's the deal. I ordered the struts that are about 19 dollars a piece from kragen.com

They are a bitch. They look simple but in reality they are horrible. Here's the deal, you can't jsut pop the old struts off because they are not fully extended. There are a pair of little plastic bumpers on the actual metal connecting the trunk to the struts. LOOK FOR THEM. pull them out and the trunk will lift to its full height. I didn't find them, so i cut off the old ball socket, HAMMERED on A socket wrench and applied enormous torque to the damn thing.

The reason i had such a hard time taking my stock ones off is because it had bond tight on the thread which basically glues metals togethor.

when i finally got it off, you snap on the new ones on the ball first, Lift the trunk as far up as it will go and snap in the rod part. Easy. So it seems

any questions post here, and i will respond ASAP

 

Thanks to all for your advice on this post. I finally got my lifters replaced after two weeks of messing with it. wolfy is right; those bumpers have to come off to fully extend the strut. When you put them back on, pay attention to the little plastic key that fits into a hole on the trunk arm. Don't get your replacements from Lexus. I'm too embarrassed to tell you what I paid for them.