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Ok, so how do you know your supports need replacing? I'm thinking mine might?? When I hit the unlatch button the trunk unlocks but barely moves, I have to wedge my fingers in that slot to get the trunk to open. Do they make a set that will open the trunk upon unlatching? I can hit the button on the wife's Charger and the trunk pops all the way open, that would be nice.
Original owner of 2002 SC430. When my mechanic quoted about $400 to replace the failing trunk struts 11 years ago, I came to this site.
I bought the LiftSupportsDepot.com Part# PM1010 through Amazon. I was able to install them in about 6 minutes as a 57 y.o petite woman.
11 years later, I need to replace them again. How do I know they need replacement (people query in some posts): In both instances: The trunk unlocks and lifts enough to put my hand in and lift the remaining way up; however, sometimes it starts to fall back down and BOY is that dangerous
when your head or arm is inside! The weight is significant!. I ordered the same set from Amazon. They arrived but were labeled Part#PM3808. Thinking they sent me the incorrect part, I initiated a return for replacement. Now I read here on ClubLexus that is actually what you will get when you order PM1010.
Was $34 + tax 2015; $36.12 + tax 2026. Would have saved me the inconvenience of drop off return IF I had read current posts on trusty ClubLexus and Bgw70!
Thanks!
UPDATE: 3/15/26 Just installed #PM3808 independently after propping trunk up with a 2x4. Used flathead screwdriver with a very thin head to get under the clip where the centrally located U-shaped divot is located. Still needed a long-nosed needle pliers to pull clip completely off. As per video in #44 post a little pull pressure to remove old strut. New strut snaps into place. Total: 5 minutes for both. Trunk pops open enough to get fingers in to lift, but 1/2 way up it self lifts the remaining way. Very happy at the cost, DIY ease and performance of these LiftSupportsDepot.com (located in Vista, CA) which gave 10 years work when labeled PM1010.
Last edited by RZPhyxit; Mar 15, 2026 at 12:57 PM.
Reason: Update
My 2004 SC430's hood supports/lifts were running out of gas and with Lexus wanting $1xx a piece, I decided to do some AI'ing and searching on eBay (not my preferred) and Amazon (I had to dig a little) and found Aisin-made lifts for both the hood and the trunk (I had replaced those for the trunk about 15 years ago with an expensive after market but they were (are still) too stiff. With the Aisin being low cost (~$30 a pair as of March 12, 2026) and high quality (they make quality water pumps and kits for Toyota/Lexus vehicles) I decided to replace them all. I have no doubts that these will work better than most aftermarket alternatives. Here are the links:
1) Hood lifts:
[Update] Installed my Aisin hood and trunk supports/lifts a few days ago – straight forward. My observation: The rear supports work as well as OEM – not stiff and are able to hold the trunk lid in any positions ~1/3 up from the close position. The front supports appeared a little softer – able to hold the hood in any positions 1/2 distance from close. I could not save the original color-matched brackets that hold the OEM supports to the frame so I had to use the AISIN black metal brackets that came with the new supports. Overall, I am happy with the Aisin's soft closing.
On a different note, as I was replacing the supports/lifts in the trunk, I accidentally swiped off (during the removal of the old trunk support) and broke the C-shape plastic clip inserted on the top bracket in the (left) convertible hinge mechanism. At first, I had no clues on the purpose for the clip but finally realized that it was there to isolate/prevent the head of the torque screw used to attached the trunk lid from metal to metal rubbing between the hinge brackets. After spending hours trying to find the OEM clips to replace, I gave up (only available with the hinge assembly) and decided to look for alternatives – found the attached rubber bumper on Amazon
; I paid $9.99 for a pack of 6. As you can see from the pictures, the bumper works way better than the original Lexus C-clip (rotating the bumper while pulling the stem through the hole worked well; might need to use a small screw driver to press the smaller diameter through the hole). The minor diameter noted on the vendor's picture is wrong/too large; the actual part fits perfectly. )
For those of you that would like OEM there’s a sale going on now thru March 17th with Free Shipping and No Sales Tax for out-of-state customers. Don’t forget to have help when installing or a good 2x4 to support trunk during install.
For those of you that would like OEM there’s a sale going on now thru March 17th with Free Shipping and No Sales Tax for out-of-state customers. Don’t forget to have help when installing or a good 2x4 to support trunk during install.
I notice different part numbers for Left and Right side hood struts. When I ordered the Amazon Strong arm #6232 replacement set (as posted by someone on Club Lexus) it seems as though I received 2 R-sided strut. I can physically turn the top clipped piece so the hole faces correctly to make it usable on the L-side; however, it loosens that screwed in top piece. Not sure this would be safe or normal even if OEM are ordered. BTW, the above Strong Arm came labeled as MADE IN TURKEY, not America (as I was lead to believe)
I notice different part numbers for Left and Right side hood struts. When I ordered the Amazon Strong arm #6232 replacement set (as posted by someone on Club Lexus) it seems as though I received 2 R-sided strut. I can physically turn the top clipped piece so the hole faces correctly to make it usable on the L-side; however, it loosens that screwed in top piece. Not sure this would be safe or normal even if OEM are ordered. BTW, the above Strong Arm came labeled as MADE IN TURKEY, not America (as I was lead to believe)
Thanks for your update.
Not trying to be rude, but this is a classic example of not doing things right the first time, and oftentimes having to pay double.
I understand some aftermarket parts can be acceptable enough than buying OEM, and that’s okay, if that’s what one wants to do.
We choose to pay a little more to get OEM parts and do it right the first time as we’ve already been there, done that — Lesson learned.
Can you return the parts you ordered? I’ve also found some parts from Amazon or eBay, even though advertised as OEM, are often NOT.
We take advantage of these sales and try to stock up on cabin air and engine filters, wiper inserts and blades if needed, not just for our SC, but for our other Lexus SUV. In fact, during the March sale I bought the Rear brake pad set, shim kit and clip set because our SUV’s rear brakes need to be replaced and our local dealership allows us to bring in OEM parts and just charges us labor.
That’s why I always try to order what I can from the links in my Post #66. They are guaranteed and there’s no hassle if you have to return, which in one case, I did.
I posted a thread for the current sale that’s going on 4/9 - 4/15.
Hopefully, you can take advantage of the sale and order the OEM trunk struts or anything else you need.
Toyota and Lexus Join Mille Miglia For The First Time
Slideshow: A five-car lineup spanning more than five decades of Toyota performance and engineering will tackle one of Italy's most celebrated automotive routes.
Just installed in 5 minutes
