How to: Trunk Lift Support w/ pics...
How to: Trunk Lift Support w/ pics...
For those of you who need new trunk lift supports, I just installed one and I took some pictures. I'm using the instructions that PERRYinLA posted a while back. It would be nice to have a friend help you hold the trunk or just use a stick...I used a bat 
BTW, I bought mine at www.rockauto.com It came out to $23.25 including shipping for one.
BTW, I bought mine at www.rockauto.com It came out to $23.25 including shipping for one.
Last edited by howiedoit; Aug 5, 2002 at 07:10 PM.
1. Inside the trunk, peel off, from the top, the interior cloth-like panel that seperates the trunk cavity from the back seat/gas tank area. It's held down with little plastic clips. These clips will release if you give them a tug. You should then be able to see the gas tank and the lifts attached to the trunk hinges.
2. You can't just pop the old lifts off because they are not yet fully extended. There are a pair of little plastic bumpers that clip onto the tubular metal connecting the trunk to the struts. Pull them out so your friend can lift the trunk to its full height.
I'm not too sure what this step is about...I didn't see any plastic bumpers...
I'm not too sure what this step is about...I didn't see any plastic bumpers...
Last edited by howiedoit; Mar 19, 2007 at 03:08 PM.
3. Using an open end wrench (11 or 12 mm) unscrew the ball portion of the ball and socket joint that is on the top part of the lift supports. It may be hard to start because it has Locktite on it.
I had a VERY hard time with this step. The damn thing wouldn't budge. I pretty much stripped the bolt on one side...
This is a 12mm bolt.
BTW, turn counter-clockwise
I had a VERY hard time with this step. The damn thing wouldn't budge. I pretty much stripped the bolt on one side...
This is a 12mm bolt.
BTW, turn counter-clockwise
Last edited by howiedoit; Aug 5, 2002 at 08:03 PM.
4. Using a screwdriver, unclip the metal retainer that secures the bottom part of the lifter cylinder to a stud on the car body. If you you won't be re-using your old struts, you can just jam a screwdriver and bend the clips so that they release. (I had to be more careful, since I knew I would be re-using them.)
This step was pretty easy
This step was pretty easy
5. Now you reverse step 3 for the replacement struts.
6. Clip the bottom part of your new cylinders onto their round studs.
I stuck the bottom part of the shock back on and then screwed in the NEW ball joint thing without connecting it to the lift support yet. Screw the new ball joint in all the way along with a new washer. This was a 1/2" bolt.
6. Clip the bottom part of your new cylinders onto their round studs.
I stuck the bottom part of the shock back on and then screwed in the NEW ball joint thing without connecting it to the lift support yet. Screw the new ball joint in all the way along with a new washer. This was a 1/2" bolt.
Last edited by howiedoit; Aug 5, 2002 at 08:04 PM.
7. Put those rubber bumpers back into place, paying attention to the little key piece that fits into a hole on the tubular trunk arm.
8. Put the interior piece back into place with the clips.
After the ball joint is screwed on, pop the shock into place and you're done!
8. Put the interior piece back into place with the clips.
After the ball joint is screwed on, pop the shock into place and you're done!
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Lead Lap
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 530
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Very nice, looks like I'll be doing this as I'm sick of taking my groceries out and almost getting my head knocked off (that and I'm scared one day I'll lock my keys in.
Now someone needs to do a door panel removal how to so I can figure out how to keep mine from vibrating where the handle is
Now someone needs to do a door panel removal how to so I can figure out how to keep mine from vibrating where the handle is
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 19
From: Orange County, California
Great pics!
...and glad to see Rock Auto is supplying those lift supports again.
<<EDIT INSERTED 3/11/04:>>
Since I first posted those instructions, I've swapped trunk struts on other SC's, so I went back and edited my original post, adding some additional tips to make the job easier:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...&postid=275443
For example, I added how a propane torch softens up that Loc-Tite so you can easily remove the stock bolt, and I also discuss how even trunks with no spoilers can benefit from using the stronger "spoilered" struts.
I think you didn't see those little plastic bumpers in step 2 because they are missing from your trunk arms, but you can clearly see the little hole that the bumper index key slips into in the pics for steps 2, 3, and 8. You may want to pick up a pair, because it is possible that without them to limit the travel of the trunk lid, the lift support piston fully extends into the chamber, damaging the rear seal and possibly exploding the support. If any shrapnel pierces the nearby gas tank, that will explode, too.
(OK, OK, maybe I'm getting a bit carried away here, but there's gotta be SOME reason for those little bumpers!)
<<EDIT INSERTED 3/11/04:>>
Since I first posted those instructions, I've swapped trunk struts on other SC's, so I went back and edited my original post, adding some additional tips to make the job easier:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...&postid=275443
For example, I added how a propane torch softens up that Loc-Tite so you can easily remove the stock bolt, and I also discuss how even trunks with no spoilers can benefit from using the stronger "spoilered" struts.
I think you didn't see those little plastic bumpers in step 2 because they are missing from your trunk arms, but you can clearly see the little hole that the bumper index key slips into in the pics for steps 2, 3, and 8. You may want to pick up a pair, because it is possible that without them to limit the travel of the trunk lid, the lift support piston fully extends into the chamber, damaging the rear seal and possibly exploding the support. If any shrapnel pierces the nearby gas tank, that will explode, too.
(OK, OK, maybe I'm getting a bit carried away here, but there's gotta be SOME reason for those little bumpers!)
Last edited by PERRYinLA; Mar 12, 2004 at 01:00 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 819
Likes: 1
From: DC
my car is pretty new and dont think the strut/lift things are bad. however, because i have a spoiler. my trunk doesn't really open up when use the remote trunk release (it just unlocks). would these lift support open up a trunk w/ spoiler?
Originally posted by Legends6spd
my car is pretty new and dont think the strut/lift things are bad. however, because i have a spoiler. my trunk doesn't really open up when use the remote trunk release (it just unlocks). would these lift support open up a trunk w/ spoiler?
my car is pretty new and dont think the strut/lift things are bad. however, because i have a spoiler. my trunk doesn't really open up when use the remote trunk release (it just unlocks). would these lift support open up a trunk w/ spoiler?
I'm wondering the same. I only bought one cuz I'm cheap. But I would like the trunk to pop open when I unlock it...
I wonder why my car doesn't have those black things...oh well...I'll do without them
I just got an email from Rockauto with a discount code. It's only 5%, but better than nothing. If anyone is interested, here's the info. I might as well buy the second lift support now...
* You give this discount code: 16221 to friends, neighbors, relatives, the guy
at the corner garage--anyone you know who works on cars or trucks.
* When someone places an order at www.rockauto.com and enters your discount code
on the "Please tell us how you heard about us" line of the shopping cart, he or
she will receive an immediate 5% discount on that order.
* The discount code expires on November 30, 2002; so don't wait!
* You give this discount code: 16221 to friends, neighbors, relatives, the guy
at the corner garage--anyone you know who works on cars or trucks.
* When someone places an order at www.rockauto.com and enters your discount code
on the "Please tell us how you heard about us" line of the shopping cart, he or
she will receive an immediate 5% discount on that order.
* The discount code expires on November 30, 2002; so don't wait!
Driver
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Florida
My original lifts on my 93 SC300 were weak before I installed a spoiler. I purchased Steady Lifts for $20.79 each from Kragen Auto Parts(now Parts.America?) and the trunk lid w. spoiler now opens all the way after releasing with the inside switch. I used a rope tied to the trunk latch and over the roof to the front to keep the trunk open while I changed the lifts. No problem.