It's been awhile, so I thought maybe I should finally ask someone. After putting on the aftermarket spoiler on my trunk, the weight is too heavy for the trunk hinges. Is it difficult to beef them up so they can handle the extra weight and actually open the trunk? Right now when I unlock the trunk it just unlatches but stays down. Or would I have to replace them? What do you suggest?

 

Chris, I have the factory lip spoiler and my trunk does the same. I believe that it's designed that way. As long as it unlocks, I believe that you're okay.

 

Same as dougjones - I have factory lip spoiler and it doesn't pop up either. No big woop.

 

Well before I installed the spoiler, when I "popped" the trunk, it would swing up on its own. Also, it would close much more softly. Now, with the added weight, it comes slamming down because it doens't have enough resistance to lower it gently, causing the screws holding the spoiler in to come loose over time, and I have to retighten them every once in awhile.

 

I have NO spoiler and I have to lift the trunk.

Maybe some lockwashers or locktite will help keep the screws tightened

 

I had that same experience with mine, for some reason i only had one screw in the brake lights so my matter became worse quick. I closed the trunk and out came the LED bar. had to tape it up till i went to home depot to find a second screw. Screwing it back in was definatly hard because the screwdriver was too big and i couldn't get a good turn on it. But yeah the trunk is heavy as hell with the added spoiler....

 

i have no spoiler and mine never poped up

 

Did your trunk lid actually come all the way open or did it just pop up. I have the OEM spoiler and mine has always just popped up like everyone else.

 

same here too...when i first got it, the trunk used to pop right up. I noticed it gradually stop, every now and then it would pop all the way up until now; only comes about half way. Guess the hinges get weak over time.

 

Just wondering though if you can replace the pressurized hinges with ones rated a little stronger, for heavier loads. Seems like you could.

 

Now you have me thinking - my week old SE trunk lid doesn't pop up either...will have to check the manual to see if it is supposed to.

 

These are the guys who make the OEM gas struts for the 04 Max trunk lid:

http://www.stabilus.com/default_e.asp

You might see if you can email them and find out if they make the same part with more gas pressure. You can find their part # stamped on the strut itself so they have something to go by. Or, perhaps you could try to get a third strut of the same type and add it to one side for additional lift, and if that's not enough, a fourth on the other side.

 

i got SL with no spoiler... it stays down... doens't pop up

 

wow, I wonder why his popped completely open before? At first I thought maybe it's an SL feature but dafowl1 said his doesn't. As far as the stuts, i think if they are stiff enough to lower it slowly to not slam, then they definetly won't let it pop open completey.

I saw an auction on eBay for instructions to raise the trunk instead of it pivoting. Saw it for other vehichles too, from a site that also shows you how to make Lamborgini doors. Not sure if still on eBay.

 

Well it popped open more than it does now that I have the spoiler on. I went through that website listed and found a place in the SF Bay Area that is affiliated with them, gave them a call and they were just leaving, but said call back in the morning with the model # of the strut in the trunk and he can see what he can do.

 

If I'm not mistaken, the gas struts they use on these things actually expand when not under load. In other words, they're not "stiff" like a shock, they actually push out depending on the load applied to them. They usually meter these things with a charge that will be a good compromise between ease of raising the lid, and ease of closing the lid (too much "up force" will make it hard to close the lid). By getting a unit with a stiffer charge to it, he should be able to pop open slightly, and resist slamming when closing.

 

Max Cat
that's a nice Max you have there.

 

Yeah, I like yours a lot better though! LOL!

I did steal your image hosting idea. I've been looking for one that I can link directly besides car domain. Thanks for that!

 

mine trunk has nothing and still dosn't pop up by itself. wish it did though

 

Well I got in touch with a place up here in the Bay Area this morning, he's going to check the factory to find a pair of new tougher struts and get back to me with what he can get, and how much. As soon as he can get me that info, I'll post it here, along with their phone #, and I'll inform him to maybe stock up on some cuz I'm sure some of you guys will want to order them as well. Apparently they are 33 newton strength, whatever that means, so you can use that as a reference. The model number is the first set of #s printed on there (6276RO in my case) and the strength/power is the second number (0330N).

 

I have no spoiler and my trunk doesn't open up when you pop it. Its a good feature so people don't see the bodies when I accidentally hit the button

 

I got the after market spoiler and it's a beast on the trunk lid. Before I put the spoiler on, the lid would rise about 6 inches. Please post that strut info. I would purchase new ones.

 

I have read all the posts and some of you have the same
problem as I have. I have the lip spoiler and the trunk does
not pop it just unlatches. Now some say that is OK, well it
is awkward to open when holding something with one hand
and negotiating the lift with the other hand. I can live with
it though.


The real problem is when you close the lid, it comes down

with such force (a lot of weight), that the hinge has come
loose twice. The screws are fine threaded and have to be
replaced because they strip easily.