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DIY : R171 Trunk Struts Replacement

81K views 178 replies 102 participants last post by  Avel Du 
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#136 ·
#139 ·
Thanks to these instructions I replaced the boot/trunk struts on my 130k-mile car the other week - easy job and it lifts/stays perfectly now.

The bonnet/hood was 'lazy' too - there was no danger of it falling but it needed to be slowly pushed up with the old struts. I replaced those today in 10mins max and it lifts perfectly now.

Here in UK there are a few options for replacements. On ebay an MB dealer sells the originals for £45 per pair. There are also Febi/Bilstein struts for £36 per pair and unlabelled aftermarket struts for £15 per pair. I tried the cheap ones for the boot/trunk and they work perfectly so I tried the same seller for the bonnet/hood. Again, prompt delivery and the product seems all good.

To recap on a few key points:

- At the rear only the rubber 'stops' needs to be removed to allow full extension
- Support is easily achieved with a cable tie at the rear and a broom handle for the bonnet/hood
- The old struts lift off once the metal clips are levered off with a small screwdriver
- The new struts pop on without needing to touch the metal clips
 
#141 ·
Hi guys... I've just book-marked this thread 'cos I have noticed that the boot is getting more and more difficult for me to open.

Out shopping the other day I had to stand wimpishly to one side with my fully trolley... and call for help...:crying::crying:

So, I guess now is the time... and you have outlined the process so clearly..:smile::smile::smile:

Stella
 
#143 ·
The best 15 quid I've spent this year .. (or about 25 bucks to theguys over the pond)

Evening all

Having had one too many bumps to the head from the boot (trunk) coming down due to failing gas struts (and it's always the locking mechanism bit that hits on the head too!!) , I've finally changed them for fresh ones ... what a difference!

No idea why I waited so long - I guess I though they were not that gone!!

30 seconds to fit per side - if you need them, do it!!
 

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#145 ·
#146 ·
Your trunk should open this fast, this easily, and this high

 
#150 ·
Ha ha.. the boot hit Clive on the head the other day :frown: .. so I showed him this thread and he has got replacement struts on order....:smile: should be here by next Thursday..

We shall be wandering through Medoc country 2nd April and will need the boot to be in perfect working order ! With 50+ châteaux to visit... there will be lots of wine on offer and the boot will probably be packed to capacity by the time we take the homeward road.. :x:x Can't afford to have the driver knocked unconscious.. that will be my rôle after all the wine tastings...:wink:
 
#151 ·
. . . . .
Can't afford to have the driver knocked unconscious.. that will be my rôle after all the wine tastings...:wink:
Stella, I'm not clear whether you're saying your role will be as the driver, or to be unconscious, after all the wine tastings! :wink:
 
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#154 ·
Kudos to the OP for the DIY. As with a lot of other owners, I wasn't too sure how heavy the boot (Trunk) lid should be, but it got to the stage where I thought 'this can't be right'. Search came to the rescue and I found this thread. I ordered the new struts from the Gas Strut Guys in Melbourne for $29.95 (Aus), delivered. The struts arrived today and five minutes later they were installed. I didn't believe a DIY could be so easy. Thanks to everyone for their input to the thread, as every piece of advice is useful. :)
 
#161 ·
I was surprised how stiff the boot felt to lift. It was not falling back down (yet) but, in comparison to my 2014A class that lifts with zero effort. I have therefore ordered a set of new struts. As someone that in my younger days removed engines, I should be ok with this little DIY task.
 
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