Had it been aluminum it would be very easy to dent or push in. The trunk also acts as a crumple zone if you get a severe rear ender.
The struts are easy to change and cheap enough to replace

 

Lift supports depot has 3 models listed for the SC430. They are 6423, pm1010-1 and pm1010. What is the difference between each other than the length, which ones should i buy and which are made in the U.S.A. Great forum and thanks for your help.

 

like someone said recently, BUY AMERICAN and HIRE AMERICAN!

 

I just installed new struts for trunk this morning, pretty simple. I ended up ordering the ones on Amazon and they are called vepagoo for about $17.00 shipped. They did work, and the trunk is holding in full up position. Interestingly, I see why the originals are so much more expensive though, they are made by KYB, no wonder they lasted so long! I may end up switching back out to OE, but will see how these hold up for awhile.

 

I bought the cheapest ones off eBay (Arana brand) from China because I don't really care about them... showed up a month later and fit on fine, but can't lift the trunk lid, I requested a refund and it came right away without any questions. I am guessing they know they don't work.

 

None of them will really "lift" the lid. The release will allow it to pop up an 1/8" or 1/4" but then you have to lift it up to about 3/4 of the way and the struts will hold it from there. But you still have to actually lift it the rest of the way to open it fully.

 

I also bought the ARANA brand from China about 6 months ago for the trunk. For awhile it wasn't staying up, it was slowly coming down but after about 4 weeks they worked fine.
At the time of purchase they were $22AU free delivery. About $16US.
Around the same time I purchased FRONT & REAR struts for my 1979 Cadillac Eldorado from the USA & made in the USA. $80US for the pair for the Hood that (WON'T) hold it up. For the Trunk $60US for the pair & they work great. And that's not counting Shipping & exchange rate which cost me around $240AU. About $160US. I could be wrong, but seeing that they pump them out on the production line like crazy a lot of defected once go through.

Chris..... From OZ.

 

I meant to say they would not hold the trunk open....

 

Did not think that was a thing... lol. Maybe I should put those back on for a while....

 

Be weary of the temperature differences. My "dead" ones work great in the summer but in the winter the don't hold anymore

 

Winter time metal shrinks and gas loses volume. In summer metal swells and gas increases pressure .. That is why your react that way.
My 2 cents

 

The law of physics...

 

Hi all,
can anyone tell or show me how they disconnected the lower half of the trunk strut; I'm new
and i can't get my hands down there, it's pretty tight with the latch mechanism and convertible
parts in the way? I'm sure it's a rookie thing but I can't see how there is space to get leverage to work
on taking this end off, would appreciate any advice! Thanks in advance. BG
2002 sc430

 

There are many Youtube videos showing this process. Here is one by an old country lady who shows how to do it in two minutes:
Before you start the process you need find something like a 2x4 wood or golf club that will support the whole weight of the trunk and hold the trunk all the way open so the there is no pressure on the struts.

 

@jzdulexus, thanks mate appreciate that and yes that's right no problem...on this , version. The SC430 specifically however has one end easily accessible, but due to the convertible motor mechanism, that end is tight and I can't get my hand in . Anyone have SPECIFIC ideas to the SC430, in dealing with that end or am I just missing something here. Would like to hear
from anyone who's done this on an Sc430 specifically. Sorry it wasn't clear from my first post.