Boot (Trunk, Cargo area) struts very stiff if door left open.

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by alanclarkeau, Jan 10, 2017.

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  1. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    I helped my daughter shift house today, with a few loads in the boot of the PRIUS as well as her van.

    I had the door open each time for maybe 20-30 mins and it was VERRRRY DIFFICULT to pull down to shut - it was as though the struts had almost jammed.

    Opening it for a minute or so to put shopping etc in, is never a problem. I tried it a few times for short openings when I got home, and it was fine.

    Has anyone had any experience with this? It's due for service next few days, so I can ask them, but wondering if it's a common problem.
     
    #1 alanclarkeau, Jan 10, 2017
  2. au_prius

    au_prius Australian Prius Driver

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    Was the problem noticeable or worse in winter? (For the benefit of our Northern Hemisphere friends, it's currently summer here!)
     
    #2 au_prius, Jan 10, 2017
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  3. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    No - it was 30+ C degrees today (about 90F). I haven't noticed it before, but I've never had the boot open any more than a couple of minutes previously.
     
    #3 alanclarkeau, Jan 10, 2017
  4. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    Keep us informed what the dealer says. I cannot test in hot weather. It was 4F yesterday & 25F today on my morning commute. Hopefully we get above freezing today.
     
    #4 Prodigyplace, Jan 10, 2017
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  5. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    No need to get frosty! :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::sneaky:
     
    #5 RCO, Jan 10, 2017
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  6. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    Thanks. The temperature here is now above freezing. (34F). :D
     
    #6 Prodigyplace, Jan 10, 2017
  7. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    Cool !!!
     
    #7 RCO, Jan 10, 2017
  8. davids45

    davids45 Active Member

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    G'day Alan,

    Assuming this was a ONE-OFF problem:

    Was there any fine dust in the air when the rear was open for that longer-than-normal period?

    Struts can collect dust as they are outside the car, albeit in the rear door groove. Mine seem to go algal - a bit humid around here. (I have noticed this build-up of gunk on some of my annual car-washes - whether the car needed it or not.)

    Maybe thermal expansion of one of the strut components if parked open long enough in the sunshine of the Sunshine State?

    Loose fitting of one strut (any play in either strut)?

    Anyway, this clearly (and cleverly) rules you (and your Prius) out from helping your children move in future;).

    David S.
     
    #8 davids45, Jan 10, 2017
  9. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    No, clean air, in the sun one end, under shade unloading end. No - it was each time - 4 loads with open long time to both load and unload - ie 8 times. First time, I opened it again immediately and closing was "normal". I tried again last night for just a minute or so, and it closed normally. Then, cooler evening, after sundown, opened it for 20 mins, and again it was VERRRY hard to pull it shut again.

    I just went outside and checked, all the fittings seem to be good and tight.

    In the past, I've had OLD struts not hold the door open properly, but never this action. And this is with PRIUS' lightweight back door.
     
    #9 alanclarkeau, Jan 10, 2017
  10. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    I see the same thing with my FJ Cruiser hood struts. I think the oil evaporates from the rods when exposed to air too long.
     
    #10 David Beale, Jan 11, 2017
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  11. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    SAMANTHA went for her 1,800 league / 6 month service today and I asked them to check the struts. They've ordered a new pair under warranty - said they'd probably take a month+ to arrive from Japan.
     
    #11 alanclarkeau, Feb 6, 2017
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  12. au_prius

    au_prius Australian Prius Driver

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    The struts -- are they KYB brand? They seem to make most Toyota gas struts for hatches / bonnets, with some made by STABILUS also...
     
    #12 au_prius, Feb 7, 2017
  13. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    upload_2017-2-8_8-47-58.png

    Are yours the same? Yours is an I-Tech isn't it?
     
    #13 alanclarkeau, Feb 7, 2017
  14. au_prius

    au_prius Australian Prius Driver

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    Yes, same! I thought they were KYBs but they are indeed STABILUS brand.
     
    #14 au_prius, Feb 11, 2017
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  15. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Your camera is better than mine ;)
     
    #15 alanclarkeau, Feb 11, 2017
  16. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    How are yours - try leaving the tailgate open for ½hr and see if they're stiff? I reckon a very light person would have just hung on the handle.
     
    #16 alanclarkeau, Feb 11, 2017
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  17. au_prius

    au_prius Australian Prius Driver

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    I've had nil issues so far but I haven't left the tailgate up for extended periods. I'll give it a try and report back.
     
    #17 au_prius, Feb 11, 2017
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  18. Philthunder

    Philthunder Member

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    I have had the same problem in summer, I thought it might just be the seals, KBY also make motorcycle forks. They call it stiction on a motorcycle. Silicon grease under the seals, not so easy on a gas strut. I would have thought gas seals would be much tighter.
     
    #18 Philthunder, Nov 14, 2018
  19. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Mine was replaced under warranty because it was so stiff. It's now much the same again - like if I'm doing yard work at my Dad's place and leave the hatch open - takes quite a pull to close. But - I don't think I'll bother with warranty again - they'll only replace it with the same again. I can live with it.
     
    #19 alanclarkeau, Nov 15, 2018
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  20. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

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    The longer my hatch is open the harder it is to close. But, not something that is a "problem".
     
    #20 krmcg, Nov 15, 2018
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