Rear Liftgate Struts Blown

[legrandice]

How many of you guys that have had the struts blow tend to leave the tailgate up while camping or whatever? Seems like I get a lot of dust and sand on the pistons and it's not wiping clean when closing. I wonder if I can install a felt washer or dust covers.
My new ones took a pounding this weekend, I had the back open 4 or 5 hours a day for 4 days. The last day really felt like metal on metal when I closed it.

Interesting thought. My summer camp is on a dirt road with lots of traffic. Over the past year I have been working there a lot and leave the hatch open about half of the time. There is dust all over the place.

My replacements just arrived today. As soon as my wife gets home from work we will install them. Can't wait! It's been a rough week not using the back hatch.

 

[DDaily818]

Hi all-

I have a year old 2012 Limited, mine just went at 17k miles! Just gotten back from a Costco run, came back to empty the last load and it was down...lucky I wasn't still unloading!

Called dealer, they replaced same day no hassle!

 

[ajwalks]

Liftgate sturts blew today on 2010 LE

I can't believe how common a problem is on this. I would think someone, especially a child, could be severely injured. There's no recall??? 2010 LE 45k miles, no extended use of liftgate, other than normal use.

 

[barryhiram]

Dealer just replaced mine during 15,000 mile service under warranty :frog:

They definitely should have lasted MUCH longer :AK47:

 

[awthorn]

Just installed the Strong Arm 4286 that I purchased for $20 a pop off Amazon today. They work great, installed in 10 minutes with a buddy, they lift the gate to 100%. They do slow down the last 5-6 inches and are a little hard for my wife to close but nothing to fret over. I am not sure how brand new OEM ones work because I have only had the vehicle for about 2 months but they work way better than I had anticipated from what everyone on the forums have said. Just my 2.

 

[patmac3314]

Found Liftgate Struts for 2010 & 2011 4Runner

After months of searching I found a company that has the rear struts for my 2010 Toyota 4Runner. I received them in 2 days by Fed Ex for no additional charge. They installed perfectly. Now when opening my rear hatch I need to stand back so as not to get knocked over. Here is their website and they are on eBay.
Lift Supports Depot Home Page

 

[sandcrawler]

After months of searching I found a company that has the rear struts for my 2010 Toyota 4Runner. I received them in 2 days by Fed Ex for no additional charge. They installed perfectly. Now when opening my rear hatch I need to stand back so as not to get knocked over. Here is their website and they are on eBay.
Lift Supports Depot Home Page

months of searching? SOcalTrail hooked everyone up with that tip a year and a half ago! http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...edition-beast-build-thread-8.html#post1148195

:hatsoff:

EDIT: this info's also on page 4 of this very thread

 

[billt01]

LIFT SUPPORTS DEPOT.com!!!!!!!!!..$61.27 installed in 4 minutes..screw driver to lift up on tab and remove from ball...new ones just snapped onto ball...CRAZY!!! Toyota wanted $523.00 for this job....shame on Toyota...

After months of searching I found a company that has the rear struts for my 2010 Toyota 4Runner. I received them in 2 days by Fed Ex for no additional charge. They installed perfectly. Now when opening my rear hatch I need to stand back so as not to get knocked over. Here is their website and they are on eBay.
Lift Supports Depot Home Page

 

[Jhalko]

I can't believe how common a problem is on this. I would think someone, especially a child, could be severely injured. There's no recall??? 2010 LE 45k miles, no extended use of liftgate, other than normal use.

Mine now have 42k on them and are just starting to go, I notice it more up in the high country when it's cold. I will replace soon when my gobi ladder comes in, but honestly this is quite a bit better then the cheap ones on my grand Cherokee, talk about dangerous!

 

[troybarwick]

no warning

Lost the struts on my 2011 Limited with 61000 miles today, and it was a surprise as it hit me in the head. I am hoping the Platinum warranty I bought covers it. Guess I'll find out tomorrow.

 

[troybarwick]

Platinum warranty covers

Went to the dealer for the "official" diagnosis. If you have the Platinum Extended warranty, this failure is covered. They should have my replacements in tomorrow.

 

[Matteblack]

30,000 miles on my TE and I'm happy to say that my struts are so strong that it's tough to close sometimes.

Same here but good luck to those who are having problems.
MB

 

[G8RB8_12SR5]

Wife let me know today that mine failed ~45k on a '12 SR5 I've had for about 2.5 years. I remember following this thread a while ago and seeing the replacements.

Ordered replacements from Lift Support to put on when I'm back from work travel.

 

[rlinger]

liftgate won't hold.

My rear liftgate struts failed again for the second time.
First time at 25,000 Mileage and again today at 55,000 Miles.

I live in oklahoma where we have extreme weather changes. Is this expected?

Charley

Wife let me know today that mine failed ~45k on a '12 SR5 I've had for about 2.5 years. I remember following this thread a while ago and seeing the replacements.

Ordered replacements from Lift Support to put on when I'm back from work travel.

 

[Jhalko]

My rear liftgate struts failed again for the second time.
First time at 25,000 Mileage and again today at 55,000 Miles.

I live in oklahoma where we have extreme weather changes. Is this expected?

Charley

That seems fast as I've got 50k miles and mine are just starting to go, I'd imagine my weather is just as bad as yours and I spend a lot of time up in the mountains here where the extreme low temps definitely effect them. I just added the gobi ladder a month ago so I figure I'll have to replace before the winter.

Others seem to have a similar issue as you though so you aren't alone.

 

[rlinger]

Dealer says $400 to replace both. Ouch! He did say there were new part numbers, so maybe they improved them? Anyone have an alternative site to purchase from?
Thanks

 

[1engineer]

Dealer says $400 to replace both. Ouch! He did say there were new part numbers, so maybe they improved them? Anyone have an alternative site to purchase from?
Thanks

I guess it would be too much trouble for you to go back one page to answer that question yourself?
Oh, and OK has no "extreme" temperature swings any more or less than any other of the surrounding states. Don't fall for the alarmist hype.

 

[rlinger]

I guess it would be too much trouble for you to go back one page to answer that question yourself?
Oh, and OK has no "extreme" temperature swings any more or less than any other of the surrounding states. Don't fall for the alarmist hype.

Thanks Team.

I had them replaced in less than 15 minutes for $75 total. Way better than than the $400 dealer quote.

 

[1traildriver]

I didn't go through every post on this thread, so don't murder me if its already been said...

I just got a set of heavy duty lift gate struts (rated to 250lbs, which is the same as the Gobi struts) for $42.30 shipped. Lift Supports Depot (online) has the heavy duty ones if you call them. They are not listed on their web site but designed for those of us with ladders mounted (part number 6156) so you need to do a phone order.

Yes that's cheap....and you prob get what you pay for, but they also come with a limited lifetime warranty. They explained that the struts should last 5-7 years, if they fail they will send you a new one. I got 6 months out of my OEM struts as soon as I mounted my ladder. Total time was 4 years 4 months on OEM struts.

For those looking for OEM replacements, they have those listed on their web site and they are rated to 211lbs (they claim 20-25lbs more than the OEM struts), with the same warranty.

I'm not afraid to try and save a little money here and there, especially when I am recovering from a gear and front locker upgrade.

 

[toyslug]

My 2010 TE"s (with almost 82,000 miles) rear liftgate struts has crapped out without any warning!
Thanks to SocalTrail for replacement info and savings!