Liftgate Struts Weak?

[R.A.]

With the liftgate window in the up position, the liftgate opens and closes like it should. With the window down, the liftgate only opens about 2/3rds of the way and I have to push it up to get it fully up; but the struts hold the liftgate ok once they are in the full up position.

So does everybody's T4R do this too, or are my liftgate struts weak and need to be replaced?

Seems to me the struts should open the liftgate fully up whether the window is up or down.

Anybody have the part numbers for the struts handy?

Thanks!

 

[gaterose]

Don't know about the stock ones but Strong Arm makes some replacements for ~$56. The part number for those is STA6107.

I believe the OEM ones are between $120-140

 

[ebg18t]

My lift gate struts are do stiff it makes it difficult to close the hatch..

 

[dadigab]

With window down you change the weighted load of gate significantly. I keep window closed while opening gate to save wear on lift supports.

 

[R.A.]

With window down you change the weighted load of gate significantly. I keep window closed while opening gate to save wear on lift supports.

Yeah, iirc, my 04 was the same way. It's been a while though. My liftgate on the 04 was a lot harder to raise/lower then the 07 I have now. I have the factory spoiler on the 07 though. Seems though I recall that I had the window down on the 04 and it did the same thing. It throws the lifting ability of the struts off.

 

[riceandpho]

dont worry, you guys dont have it bad, my whole thing is dynamated and with the window down, u have to really push it up open, but with window up, it opens 3/4 way and i have to push it too.

 

[gaterose]

dont worry, you guys dont have it bad, my whole thing is dynamated and with the window down, u have to really push it up open, but with window up, it opens 3/4 way and i have to push it too.

Mine has a ladder so I think I may have it a little worse. Sometimes I forget about the ladder and the hatch will open just enough so that it's above my eye line... NOT my forehead though, which leads to

:rant: ... :uzi::gun6::AK47::gun4::sniper: ... :sobbing: :crybaby:

 

[R.A.]

:rant: ... :uzi::gun6::AK47::gun4::sniper: ... :sobbing: :crybaby:

ha! - exactly what I did. Expected the liftgate to fully open and banged my forehead!

 

[R.A.]

I'm revisiting my old thread

Do you guys have problems with the liftgate struts not opening the liftgate all the way when the weather is cold?

This morning, Tucson got cold (if you call 32° cold!). Anyhoo, the liftgate does not open fully, just about 2/3rds of the way, just enough to bang my head.

So I'm curious if you T4Rers have a problem with the liftgate not opening fully in the colder parts of the country?

Don't want to buy new liftegate struts if I don't have to.

 

[zonianbrat]

Mine are definitely weaker not that it is colder out. We got down to 4 degrees the other night and it still opens all the way but closing it you can tell they are weaker cause there isnt much resistence. During summer it's almost a chore to close it.

 

[R.A.]

Mine are definitely weaker not that it is colder out. We got down to 4 degrees the other night and it still opens all the way but closing it you can tell they are weaker cause there isnt much resistence. During summer it's almost a chore to close it.

Thanks.

Never noticed a problem with my 04; it opened fully summer or winter. No difference in closing, whether hot or cold.

However, with the 07 and factory spoiler, the liftgate opens normal in summer, but with the spoiler it closes easier. Now that it is "cold", the liftgate is not opening fully. Stills closes the same afaict.

It would make sense that the support strut is weaker when it's cold.

 

[Sungod]

The struts are wearable parts and need to be replaced over time. They go slowly and are usually worse when the weather gets cold. When to replace them is up to you. Just avoid using a 2x4 if they get to the point where they don't support weight because the last thing you want is the lift gate crashing down on your head if you bump a 2x4.

 

[R.A.]

The struts are wearable parts and need to be replaced over time. They go slowly and are usually worse when the weather gets cold. When to replace them is up to you. Just avoid using a 2x4 if they get to the point where they don't support weight because the last thing you want is the lift gate crashing down on your head if you bump a 2x4.

Or open the dang door and bang your head.

My neighbor has a couple of nice vehicles, but is too lazy to buy struts for the hood and topper. They both use broom handles to prop up the hood and topper window. But they can go out to Red Lobster every week!

Good advice, Sungod. Personally I think they are weak and will probably be replacing them.

At 32°, I think the liftgate should be opening fully. Can't imagine if it was really cold, say 0°.

 

[dadigab]

You can buy some time by putting a hose clamp on end where strut rod meets strut housing. Just make sure hose clamp is not going to hit body or gate when closed. But yes struts use pressurized gas to perform lifting tasks and extreme cold effects them slightly.

A customer fabed a steel clip to hold movable glass lift rods, modeled after clip commonly found on screen door closures. I dont think i would use it on entire gate or on windy days. And truthfully, how reliable it really was. Just hope he never forgets to unhook it before closing window.

 

[grave]

Bump... is there any way to “recharge” the gas in these struts? I bought replacements off a wrecked ‘06 4runner a couple years ago and they’re starting to go. Can they be repaired/recharged or am I better off buying new?

 

[Seymore Butts]

No, you can't recharge them. And they should work fine in 32 degrees.

 

[grave]

Good to know. When I was in UT a couple weeks ago it was always around or below 32 and I kept slamming the liftgate because there wasn’t as much resistance.