Suspension shock absorbers are integral components of modern cars, without which it is completely impossible to imagine them. However, shock absorbers have also found application in car body elements - the hood and trunk lids. True, shock absorbers for hoods and trunks rather make using the vehicle even more convenient and, to a certain extent, safe. Although they are designed quite simply and fail less often than suspension components, they can still bring a lot of trouble to the car owner if they break down. Let's try to figure out why trunk shock absorbers are needed, how they are checked and how they are selected and replaced if necessary.
Trunk lid shock absorber: briefly about the device, breakdowns and replacement
The operation of shock absorbers not only contributes to the comfort of using the luggage compartment, but also increases the life of the mechanisms, eliminates the possibility of deformation of body components, and preserves the integrity of the gaskets.
The trunk shock absorber performs a number of important functions:
- provide automatic lifting of the trunk;
- promote smoother movement;
- prevent spontaneous lowering, thereby eliminating injury.
What types are there?
Shock absorbers, like most other car components, can be divided into subtypes. Each mechanism has its own advantages and disadvantages, which can be minor and sometimes unpleasant.
Diagram of the gas stop from the inside
There are currently 3 types of luggage compartment supports:
- The gas shock absorber is reliable and relatively resistant to changes in ambient temperature, which will be discussed further.
- Gas-oil - not very resistant to cold, but has a lower cost compared to the first.
- Oil-based - has a low cost, but has proven itself well in operation.
Oil shock absorbers are more suitable for domestic cars and are considered obsolete.
It is worth paying attention to two significant disadvantages of the oil-powered option: these models are susceptible to temperature changes and are considered unsafe. There are often situations when the trunk struts fail at high temperatures, and the trunk lid suddenly drops.
How often do breakdowns occur?
Failure of the luggage compartment shock absorbers is a common problem that every third car owner faces.
Most often, malfunctions affect station wagons, which are used for transporting small-sized cargo. Obviously, on budget cars, shock absorbers have even lower performance characteristics and need regular replacement.
Restoring the trunk gas strut
The most popular brands - TOP 5
The subtleties of design and production of durable gas stops are not mastered by all companies, which made it possible to form the top five, although there are actually many times more manufacturers.
- Lesjofors (Sweden), according to many, is the best manufacturer of springs and gas struts for cars. At the same time, the price is far from prohibitive, and the range covers almost all makes and models of cars.
- Kilen (Germany), a brand related to the Swedish one, now these products are represented by one company. It’s difficult to say which of them is the leader; both brands are worthy; the choice can be made more based on price and product range.
- Stabilus (Germany), a specialized supplier of gas springs, including those for the conveyors of the German “Big Three”. This alone speaks volumes about the quality of the product.
- JP Group (Denmark), fairly high-quality budget products. Despite belonging to the middle price segment, the products can be purchased and installed.
- Fenox (Belarus), inexpensive stops with acceptable quality. Wide selection, optimal for domestic cars.
Reasons for replacing old shock absorbers
It is not difficult to determine that the mechanism is malfunctioning. The first sign of failure is poor grip when lifting the lid, which creates an unpleasant situation for the user.
If repairs or replacement are not carried out in a timely manner, you may be injured in the form of a blow to the back after a sudden break in the rear door body. The reasons for premature failure of the rear door stops may be:
- non-compliance with operating conditions;
- sudden temperature changes and moisture penetration into the mechanism;
- intensive use.
If the shock absorber is working properly, when lifting the luggage compartment, the body should move up on its own, to a fixed position. The lid should not rise beyond the prescribed limit, even if it is pushed a little forcibly.
When the posts become worn from overuse, the first sign that they need to be replaced is that they won't lock into place at all in the raised position.
Also, due to a breakdown, the door may not rise completely, or at times get stuck.
Serviceable shock absorbers hold the trunk door well
How to restore the mechanism with your own hands
Repairing the trunk lid strut yourself is not recommended by any manufacturer. This kind of warning is additionally indicated on the shock absorber body itself.
In a situation where it is not possible to buy new struts, you need to contact an auto mechanic who has practical experience and knowledge in repairing the device.
It is necessary to take into account that repairs especially make sense in the case of expensive stops. In terms of costs, they can be compared with the cost of purchasing new parts and their subsequent installation.
Let's estimate the amount of work
Large modern auto parts stores often have parts catalogs hanging at the end of each aisle. So you can search for the necessary devices yourself. If not, please contact the seller for assistance. In any case, be careful. Hood and trunk lid struts come in different sizes and with different end attachments.
Some use a swivel joint at each end. Others have various combinations of the following mounting methods: a swivel joint, a rigid mount with a permanent hinge, or a flattened support at the end of the piston rod that connects to a fixed mounting pin.
Some hood stops even have two stages. For example, on a Volvo 960, if you remove the plastic clip on each stop, the hood will continue to rise above the vertical position, allowing greater access to the engine for repairs and maintenance.
Measure the length of the stops on the car when they are fully extended before running out to get replacements. Then check the length of the new stops before you go home. Better yet, take one of the old stops with you for comparison. Then you won't have to go back. Please be advised that some of the thrust struts for older vehicle models are no longer available at regular auto parts stores. (For example, 1981 Datsun 310GX.) If this is your case, you can contact your sales agent. Or maybe you'll get lucky and find the stops you need in the JC Whitney catalog.
With the appropriate parts in hand, open the hood or trunk and prop it up with a sturdy piece of wood. If you are replacing a single stop, a piece of wood will be the only thing keeping the edge of the lid from hitting your head. If you are replacing two stops, it will allow you to work on either side without worrying that the other stop may not hold the hood at the same time.
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When choosing a new shock absorber, experienced drivers recommend immediately paying attention to the active substance inside the device. Each type of these devices (gas, oil, gas-oil) has its own characteristics, namely:
- Gas. These models are distinguished by the highest quality and performance characteristics. The device can operate properly throughout the entire period of operation of the vehicle without causing failures or serious reasons for their replacement or repair. With the proper level of operation, the shock absorber can last up to 10 years. Moreover, gas is least dependent on temperature changes. This means that the operation of the device is not affected by either cold winter or hot summer. That is why such shock absorbers have the highest price tags.
- Oil shock absorbers are the most inexpensive, but they malfunction in severe frosts. The disadvantage of such a device is its high dependence on low air temperature. For example, in severe frost it is quite difficult to open the trunk lid, and at temperatures of +25 and above there is a chance of getting a strong blow to the head. This is due to the fact that the liquid level inside the device drops significantly, and the trunk lid cannot be held in one position for a long time.
- Gas-oil - have intermediate characteristics and are the most optimal in terms of cost and quality. These models include all the advantages and disadvantages of the above shock absorbers. They are perfect for both budget and expensive cars.
The best and easiest way to choose the most suitable and high-quality model is to consult the electronic catalog. It describes in detail all the characteristics of the items being sold.
Diagram of different types of stops
Conclusion
Although the shock absorbers of the trunk and hood are resistant to mechanical stress, they fail on average once during the entire life of the car. Luckily, finding a new shock absorber is easy. Good analogues can be found in the catalogs of companies such as LUK, Finwhale, Blue Print, Monroe, Kraft, Magnetti Marelli. Inexpensive options of medium quality can be found at, Sampa and FPS. There are quite a few options, but we still recommend buying shock absorbers from the most well-known companies, whose products are never cheap - here high quality is truly reflected in the high price.
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There is no way to know for sure whether a mechanism needs replacing even before problems arise. Unlike suspension shock absorbers, it is not possible to check the luggage compartment stops using special devices or rocking.
A visual inspection is also often inconclusive if the vehicle uses a gas mechanism. However, there is one, so-called traditional way to diagnose shock absorbers in order to identify a serious malfunction and replace the device with a new one: correct diagnosis is only possible at low temperatures - in the cold season.
If, in a temperate climate, the device does not perform its function properly, that is, it regularly has to be “helped,” this suggests that it makes sense to install new elements.
If the trunk is equipped with a gas shock absorber, instability in its functioning always indicates the need for replacement. Gas-filled devices are not affected by changeable weather.
Restoring gas pressure in the rack
- The shock absorber is firmly fixed in a vice, the position is vertical. It is necessary to thoroughly clean the part and blow out the entry point of the rod with compressed air. It is disassembled - the protective cap of the rod is removed.
For convenience, work is carried out in a vice
Use a pressure gauge to control. The method is suitable for gas and gas-oil racks
The process can be seen in the video.
Video on how to pump gas in a gas-oil rack
There are different opinions on how to fill a car shock absorber. Nitrogen, carbon dioxide or just compressed air? In a garage setting, there are few options. Compressed air will not significantly degrade the performance, especially considering that this is a repair and not a factory-made rack.
Recommendations for installing trunk supports
If you follow the manufacturer's instructions, the replacement process will not be difficult. Rear door shock absorbers must be replaced in pairs, not just one of the two.
After the trunk lid is lifted up, it must be supported by two strong wooden slats. Next, you can begin replacing the suspension. The process is quite simple and will take 10-15 minutes.
- Use a C-clamp to tighten the hinges, with the key going through the bottom of the joint and then under the hinge. This is the only way the fastening will be considered the most durable.
- Then you need to carefully lift the clamp from the cracker and pull the second one off the ball.
- The same operation must be carried out with the second end of the stop.
Attaching shock absorbers
Equally important is the correct removal of the old device. You can remove the unnecessary stop by inserting a screwdriver between the ball joint and the metal, then tighten it like a lever.
For this operation, it is best to use sharp pincers and a small flathead screwdriver.
Recommendations: how to increase service life
When choosing shock absorbers for the trunk, you need to take into account the degree of intensity of their use in the future. For example, if you use the trunk very regularly, the best option would be to purchase a gas shock absorber. Despite the fact that these models are considered the most expensive, they will pay for themselves with a long service life and reliability.
The main rule when using the rear trunk door stops is: in the cold season, it is strictly not recommended to lift the trunk with a sharp jerk. This may result in a reduction in the service life prescribed by the manufacturer.
In winter, in severe frosts, the trunk should be opened slowly, as if helping the device to lift the lid. This is due to the fact that at low temperatures the working substance of the mechanism becomes more viscous.
When choosing a trunk lid shock absorber, it is better to give preference to the model that has greater buoyancy force.
Magneti marelli shock absorber with 475H buoyancy force
There are several factors to consider when choosing a tonneau rack. The car owner must decide for himself how often he will use the tailgate or cargo area.
As mentioned above, the operation of the mechanism is significantly influenced by the climatic nature of the region. Therefore, when choosing a mechanism for your car, you should immediately pay attention to the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding resistance to high or low temperatures. Finally, the weight of the cargo area lid cannot be ignored. The heavier the body, the greater the buoyancy force the mechanism must have.
Let's sum it up
So we figured out what kind of trunk shock absorbers there are, how to remove and install them. In principle, there is nothing complicated. But it is necessary to take into account some nuances. For example, try not to damage the fastenings and not lose anything. In addition, the new stops must be used carefully.
The best option is to open the trunk and see what shock absorbers are currently installed. Use the electronic catalog to search and order a suitable option or a high-quality substitute. If the old stops are with the piston down, then it is advisable to install new ones in the same position. It is this placement that will make their work as efficient as possible. Also try not to suddenly open the trunk or hood lid at sub-zero temperatures. This can kill the shock absorbers within a few years. It is also better to avoid racks that are too cheap, as they are unlikely to turn out to be good.
