My Trunk Won't stay open

[Rjackson32]

The hydrollic piston's that hold the trunk up when open don't seem to want to hold the trunk open anymore. This has resulted in my hitting my head on it multiple times and I feel its time to do something about it. Is there anywhere online that I can order new pisons?

 

[CaptTrev]

couple of things. . .

1) it isn't a "trunk", its your back hatch

2) any auto parts store should have the parts to replace them

 

[XgeekstarX]

your local parts house should have the lift supports in stock. i think they're about 20 a piece and take maybe 5 minutes to install.

 

[Dave in Eugene]

1> Support rear hatch in open position with a long stick.
2> Pull, pry, chisel, or rip old hydraulic struts from their mounting positions (could prolly even use a torch if you have one but be careful - the rear hatch is flammable, don't ask me how I know) :firedevil .
3> Shove, snap, pop, jam, wedge, or pound new struts into place.
4> Wire or duct tape as needed.
5> Remove long stick used in step 1 and throw away (or alternatively, skip steps 2, 3, and 4 and just use stick as needed to hold hatch open)
6> Don't poke yourself in the eye with anything:eye:

 

[mack]

just how many times have you hit your before you remember it doesn't stay up???....:dunno:

 

[MG_43]

In the warmer weather mine stay up just fine, I attribute the cold as the reason they only hold it part way up.
I haven't hit my head on it once (I can see that its not all the way up).
LMAO

 

[Dave in Eugene]

Mine actually works about the same as MG 43, it stays up just fine in the summer but this time of year (presently 32F with freezing rain in Eugene), the hatch will fall down to about halfway open, and I too have no trouble avoiding getting my head bumped (or my eye poked).

This thread makes me wonder if maybe Rjackson32 isn't a troll (not that there's anything wrong with that). :moon:

 

[mack]

huh, funny...mine falls only in the cold also.:laugh3:

 

[Rjackson32]

In the warmer weather mine stay up just fine, I attribute the cold as the reason they only hold it part way up.
I haven't hit my head on it once (I can see that its not all the way up).
LMAO

It stays up just long enough for me to get under it, then it comes down, just enough so it is about an inch above my head. Would new hydrolics fix this problem or will new ones do this in the cold as well?

And no, im not a troll. But only becsaue I dont lurk. I rarely come on this forum because I rarely have problems! Which is a good thing I guess. I am constantly on my VW forum (vwvortex) becsaue I am constantly modifying and know a lot about VW's. I would show up more on naxja but I dont know anything about Jeeps. Sorry guys and thanks for your quick response!

 

[87manche]

They do it in the cold because they are gas charged. A cold gas has less pressure than a warm gas in the same space. Replace the struts, it will be like new again.

 

[Rjackson32]

why do some people seem to think its a very easy install and others say its next to impossible?

 

[Rjackson32]

I just went outside and looked at what the swap would intail and I got the bottom of the piston off without a problem. But I cant figure out how to get the top off easily?

 

[Devilfrog]

usually there is a clip that is removed to ease disassembly ... my wife has the XJ so I can't check right now, I only have my Explorer for an example. IIRC they should mount on a ball stud on the Hatch/ body ... if you look at either end you'll see the piston ends are multi-piece units (sometimes it's a metal clip, other's use a plastic half that pulls out) ... use a small flat blade screwdriver, pop out/pull off the clip/retainer and it will pop off no problems ... when the wife gets home I'll confirm and update this if you want ... but I'm sure someone else will chime in.
make sure you support the Hatch BEFORE removing the pistons ... to avaiod an embarassing concussion or two

 

[Rjackson32]

usually there is a clip that is removed to ease disassembly ... my wife has the XJ so I can't check right now, I only have my Explorer for an example. IIRC they should mount on a ball stud on the Hatch/ body ... if you look at either end you'll see the piston ends are multi-piece units (sometimes it's a metal clip, other's use a plastic half that pulls out) ... use a small flat blade screwdriver, pop out/pull off the clip/retainer and it will pop off no problems ... when the wife gets home I'll confirm and update this if you want ... but I'm sure someone else will chime in.
make sure you support the Hatch BEFORE removing the pistons ... to avaiod an embarassing concussion or two

Yes, that is correct, I got the bottom off rather easily by removing that clip, and...as you can imagine, the hatch came down on me....Again. I just am wondering how to get the top?

 

[Rjackson32]

They do it in the cold because they are gas charged. A cold gas has less pressure than a warm gas in the same space. Replace the struts, it will be like new again.

Wouldnt the new struts just do the same thing in the cold....?

 

[87manche]

no. Your old struts do this because they have lost pressure over time through the seals and even through the steel body. It's just more noticeable in the cold. New struts will open in the cold because they have a higher pressure to start out with when warm. If you replace the struts you'll be putting the gas pressures right back to OEM levels. If you odn't replace the struts then eventually they'll do it when warm too.

 

[Rambo]

i had the same problem, but i didnt go buy new struts, i got a clothshanger and cut it, made 2 circles , one the circles just big enuf to allow the fatter part of the strut thru. so now if it doesnt stay up i just slide the hanger wire down on the strut. i can take pics if you dont understand...


later
Alberto

 

[langer1]

When you get your new struts it will be easy to see how they go on.

 

[Vlad]

Cheap vise grips. Adjust to diameter of inner part, place in back of jeep. When you open hatch grab vise grips and clamp them on the shaft of the inner part so they can't go down. Or just replace the old struts.

 

[Rjackson32]

You guys are rather creative. haha. I just went out and bought new struts, it was about $35 for one so I just got one for now. I'll see if that one can hold it up in conjunction with the worn out one. I am going to pick it up today, I'll tell you how it works.