gbdad

My trunk opens slowly and I'm wondering if the struts are shot or if they are slow to open, or not easily opened, due to the hard top mechanism? Explanations appreciated.

mandyfig

You can replace your struts, however there will not be much improvement. They are a bit heavy. But go for it, they are not expensive.

Pnuge88

iTrader: (1)

As mandyfig was saying, it's pretty inexpensive to replace them. Are they OEM struts? I know the aftermarket struts are very stiff, so that might cause what you're experiencing. As long as they work, I don't think it's a huge ordeal to stress about it. the trunk is pretty heavy.

Jabberwock

Trunk operation on SC and LS is not the car's best feature by far. Trunk on both SC430 and LS430 is relatively hard to open even with brand new struts. They only go up and open about 1 inch when unlatched/unlocked. New struts may actually make it a little harder to open the trunk (it did on my LS).

I think the only time to replace struts is if the struts do not effectively hold the trunk or the hood fully open. The way to test struts is to lower trunk or hood a couple of inches and see if the struts continue to hold it up (as they should). If the trunk or hood slams shut when it is only slightly lowered you should replace the struts immediately as trunk or hood slamming shut from almost fully open position generates quite a bit of force - for the hood it could easily remove a finger or two if fingers are in the way when it comes down hard.

GmanSC

Harold57

Unless the trunk struts do not hold the trunk lid up, then they are fine. If it falls or slowly starts to edge downward while the lid is open, then they are bad. The trunk will only pop open a small fraction of an inch when popped. That is normal, so don't let that concern you.

gbdad

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated and very insightful!

mooton

Mine would hold fully open for about 20 seconds then rapidly fall. First time it happened was on my head!

I ordered the recommended pair from Amazon and changed out the left yesterday. Now it stays open just fine. I decided to hold off changing the right one until it doesn't hold anymore. I didn't want to press my luck on changing out the second one without scratching the paint or losing the clip down the side. I got lucky changing the left side without incident and it took about 10 minutes total with the hardest part pulling off the bottom clip.

iolmaster

iTrader: (1)

I would not recommend only doing one. Not only do they hold the lid open, they assist in the lowering of the roof. You will be putting an uneven stain on the system.

mooton

I thought about that too - you're probably right. Will change out the other.

sixonemale

With all due respect I'm not so sure I agree, especially if you believe the struts have anything to do with the convertible top opening and closing. I know there was a discussion on this in the past and I'm not sure it was conclusive. The non OEM struts are very reasonably priced and an easy install, so why not keep them in almost new condition. I replace our struts probably once every couple of years.

alruner

Amazon shows a pair of struts from LIFT SUPPORTS DEPOT for $29.95. Are they the
struts you used? I am looking to change the struts on my 2003 and would appreciate
advice as to what brand and where to buy them..

mooton

These are the ones I installed this week (yes, I did finally install that second strut - in record time, no less). They seem to be working just fine and were packaged carefully. $20.99, PRIME shipping.

alruner

Glad to hear that.. I will order a set..Thank You!..

Regards,

Al

gbdad

Pnuge88, just bought my SC430 a month ago and am going through it top to bottom as I am not sure how it was maintained. At this point I can use all the help I can get as I had a Traumatic Brain Injury 3 1/2 years ago and am disabled. Oddly enough my neuroplasticity has made my mechanical skills vastly improved...go figure! Your help is greatly appreciated!