Symptoms of Bad or Failing Trunk Lift Support Shock Absorbers

Common symptoms include that the trunk lid is difficult to open, does not stay open, or does not open at all.

Before the advent of spring-loaded hood and trunk latches, and after a manual hood "knob" was used to support open hoods, several cars, trucks, and SUVs made in the 1990s had a series of support dampers that keep the hood and trunk open. . for convenience. For the mechanics, the spring-loaded support shock absorbers that held the hood open were an added benefit that allowed them to work on the car without fear of hitting the metal lever, causing the hood to close without warning. However, these springs were also on the rear trunk. Like any other spring loaded component, they have been subject to wear or damage for a variety of reasons.

What are Trunk Lift Support Shock Absorbers?

Trunk lift support shock absorbers help keep the trunk upright when you are trying to get items out of the trunk or put them in the trunk. This improved feature on many cars and SUVs keeps you from holding the trunk and can help you get all your stuff out of the trunk without having to make many trips. Typically, the shock absorbers of the torso lift support were filled with gas, which provides the tension needed when trying to hold the torso. In some cases, gas may seep out, rendering the lift leg unusable.

Whether it's due to the materials they were made from or being hit by objects the owner of the vehicle tried to put in the trunk, punctures or leaks are quite common in these trunk supports. If a trunk lift support is damaged, it should be replaced by a mechanic who is familiar with the operation of these support lifts and has the necessary tools to perform the task efficiently. When they fail or start to wear out, they show symptoms that should alert you to replace them as soon as possible. The following are some of these symptoms that may indicate a problem with the trunk lift support shock absorbers and need to be replaced.

1. The trunk lid is difficult to open

The shock absorbers are filled with gases, most commonly nitrogen, which allows a shock absorber within the support shock absorber to hold the barrel open under pressure. However, in some cases, the gases create too much pressure inside themselves, which causes them to create a vacuum inside the impact. This makes the trunk lid very difficult to open as pressure tries to close the lid when you open it. This is a problem that an experienced mechanic should replace.

2. Tailgate won't stay open

On the other side of the equation, a torso support shock absorber that has ejected its gas charge will not have the pressure inside to keep pressure on the barrel. As a result, the barrel spring will not hold the barrel up, and the barrel can drop if the wind blows against it or the weight of the barrel itself causes it to close. Again, this is a situation that cannot be corrected; it needs to be replaced to properly fix the problem.

3. Trunk lid won't open at all

In the worst case, the trunk lift mount shock absorber will jam in the closed position, making it very difficult to open the trunk at all. This situation is incredibly rare, but the solution is to get into the trunk from the rear seat and remove the bolts that secure the trunk lift support shock absorbers to the trunk. This will allow the trunk to be opened and the mechanic can easily replace broken or frozen shock absorbers after completing this task.

If you notice any of the above symptoms, be sure to visit your local ASE certified mechanic to check and diagnose the problem with your trunk. In some cases, the problem is caused by a loose connection or fitting, and in other cases, the trunk lift mount shock absorbers will need to be replaced.