I'm not sure of the correct name for them, but the things that look like shock absorbers on the trunk lid hinge assembly. Can they be found as an aftermarket part at the local auto parts store? Thanks.

 

Their called trunk struts, and unfortunately unless you have a 2003 they're kinda pricey.. It jumps from $40 on the 03' to $110 for the 04'... Finding them at the local stores might be damn near impossible, but if you have a part number you'll probably be better off.. Eric

http://www.partsgeek.com/gbproducts/...ek+Google+Base

 

Take 1 off and go match them up in the store, same ends and length and your fine

 

my thanks to WHtstar and Brutal. Now if I can get one off without bunging it up.

 

taking a small screw driver slip in between the metal C collar the clips around the ball. Its in the socket on the strut end, pry it either back or off, this releases the ball and you can pop the shock off, but make sure someone is holding it before you do this, or duck and make sure youre sitting in the trunk with the emergency release handle accessable or at least the remote with you so you can open the trunk. And if you didnt duck...youll need the remote to get out of the trunk when you come too.....it comes down fast...

 

Brutal, i tried several struts at the auto parts store but to my great disappointment none of them had any affect. Are the '03' struts that much different than the '04's? I've told my dear wife numerous times in the past not to slam the trunk lid. So now I'm going to blame it on her!

 

what do you meen hgad no affect? did you replace in pairs? you know the old saying holds true here, if ones bad...so the other since its been trying to pic up the slack...oh and another point on hood, trunk struts(from experiance) never spray lube on them is they squeek. they will no longer squeek after you do, and shortly there after they wont stay up either....

 

I think the one I took off was the good one ( doing the work of two ). I tried three new struts and they had absolutely no holding power at all. I assume different struts have different gas charges for their various applications. Being the trunk lid is quite heavy I can also assume the stock struts are charged to the max and designed accordingly. I'd be interested to know what happened between the '03' and '04' designs that makes the latter so much more expensive. Thanks for your input.

 

Oh and thanks for the heads-up on lubing the struts. I can see me doing that.

 

I know on my S-Type there are also 2 large spring behind the carpet panels on either side of the car and there are adjustments on both.. It has a loop near the end of the spring that you can put a screw driver through and pull it back to a tighter setting.. This helped on mine, don't know if your XJ is the same.. I have a TSB on this, but I don't know how to download it to this thread.. If you want, PM me with your email and I'll send you the TSB.. Eric

 

no white, Stypes are the only springy jagys
03 and 04 are 2 different models

 

No spring attachments although I wish there were. The struts are controlling a lot of weight.
Thanks for your input.

 

I have an '88 Vanden Plas and have gotten the trunk and bonnet gas struts as aftermarket for about $38US from jagbits (http://www.jagbits.com) .