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When the boot lid is opened, it doesn't stay opened, but crashes down. The two sliding mechanisms on both sides (picture attached) don't seem to stop the descent, which, I think, they should. Are the slides repairable or do I need to order new ones? Thanks & best, Steve
What you call sliding mechanisms are gas struts, and they are not repairable. It is normal that they lose the gas pressure over time, and they are not expensive to buy and easy to replace. The OEM manufacturer is called Stabilus, but you can find suitable struts from many manufacturers.
Hi Steve,
no, there is no maintenance that can be done, it is a sealed system.
Yes, the front bonnet has similar struts. Whereas the gas struts for the boot lid are standard on basically almost all type of cars nowadays, a lot of cars still have a metal rod to be lifted and fixed manually to keep the front bonnet open.
Best regards,
Thomas
Ordered this. Excellent reviews. As one reviewer said" "I can order 10pair for the dealer price for one pair." Has a video that affirms what Thomas said about ease of installation. I will report back after they are installed.
I recently found a pair of new oem struts on ebay for £9 each. They were cheaper than after market ones, it is worth doing a check with the part number just in case bargains are to be found.
Hi 04xjrSteve,
I see you have obtained replacement struts, which is great. I had weak bonnet (hood) struts, and a local company re-pressurized them for me. It took about five minutes. That was about three years ago, and they are still working great. Here in New Zealand, spare part prices are high and we sometimes need an alternative solution.
Interesting, I did not know that you could even re-pressurize them and here in Germany I do not even know whether there are companies who do this.
As these parts are readily available and quite cheap, they are considered to be "throw away products". With the hourly rates that you have over here, reconditioning them would be more expensive than new parts.
But it is good to know in case you have the situation that struts are not available anymore.
Pete, I think where I live, a city almost contiguous with Seattle, has labor costs that would exceed the cost of the struts I purchased @ $22 per pair. However, I just called the dealer for a price on the struts. With our 10% sales tax the price per pair is $441 - Just the 2 struts, not installation!! Hell, I'd use a stick before I would pay that!! Hard to believe!!
Pete, I think where I live, a city almost contiguous with Seattle, has labor costs that would exceed the cost of the struts I purchased @ $22 per pair. However, I just called the dealer for a price on the struts. With our 10% sales tax the price per pair is $441 - Just the 2 struts, not installation!! Hell, I'd use a stick before I would pay that!! Hard to believe!!
Pete, I think where I live, a city almost contiguous with Seattle, has labor costs that would exceed the cost of the struts I purchased @ $22 per pair. However, I just called the dealer for a price on the struts. With our 10% sales tax the price per pair is $441 - Just the 2 struts, not installation!! Hell, I'd use a stick before I would pay that!! Hard to believe!!
Hi 04Xjrsteve,
There were a number of considerations for me. Firstly, access to non-genuine parts is quite limited for Jaguars here in New Zealand. They wouldn't be $22 each, that is certain. Secondly, the business, that recharged my two bonnet/hood struts did it while I waited for about NZ$60, which I considered good value. He just read off a figure on the struts, put them in a pressure vessel, and pressurized it with Nitrogen (I think) for a minute or so. About three years later, they are still fine.
Here in New Zealand, at the bottom of the world, we are at the end of the supply chain for many products the rest of the world expects to be cheap and easily available. Our nation's history is one of 'do it yourself' and we have (or had at one time) a proud tradition of 'baling twine and No.8 wire' for doing anything we couldn't obtain. Nowadays, international air freight has made the situation much better, but it's fun to try and repair something rather than replace it.
Quote: "...Nowadays, international air freight has made the situation much better, but it's fun to try and repair something rather than replace it...."
I concur with the fun to try and repair something, If it can be repaired, I try to do it, as well.
As for the availability and pricing of parts, it may be that we have better options here in Europe than in NZ, but I still sourced parts for the Jag from all over the world. I believe that we all have the same issues, one way or the other...
I replaced mine with these - stays open just as intended. When I hit electric release button, it just pops off latch enough to open. In other words, does not fling trunk lid toward heaven like some I've seen.
A-Premium Rear Trunk Tailgate Lift Supports Shock Struts Compatible with Jaguar XJ8 XJR Vanden Plas 2004-2009 Super V8 2005-2009 Sedan Set of 2
$19.99
The opening mechanism of the boot lid on the X350 is not designed to open the lid completely, so popping the latch just enough to open is exactly how it is designed, no matter which gas struts you use,
Funny you should mention that (about front) as well; what prompted me to change the trunk was the hood starting to drift down and the hood attempting to slam down on me while changing the plugs. I am really pleased with that same brand for hood. Holds it in place but does not exert excessive force to shut. Just as well balanced as the OEM for much more reasonable cost.
Boot Lid on 04 XJR Not Staying Open
