replacing trunk struts
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.
CL Community Team
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,915
Likes: 227
From: Alabama
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.
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.
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,759
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From: Texas
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.
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 18
Likes: 2
From: CA
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.
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.
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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.
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.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 18
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From: CA
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 473
Likes: 33
From: CA
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.
Driver
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 58
Likes: 15
From: Florida
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..
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..
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 18
Likes: 2
From: CA
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 80
Likes: 3
From: WI
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.
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