The replacement for Trunk Struts in most cars is a straightforward business.
I did not realize how bad my Trunk Struts were until I replaced them!
BEFORE: Trunk would sometimes drop down while I unload grocery!
AFTER: When you open the trunk, it shoots straight up like a rocket (sort of) LOL!
PN for Trunk Strut is 51248222913, about $26-29 online for Stabilus brand:
http://www.eactuning.com/parts/produ...ls/51248222913
1. Remove the C-clip, the trick is push the side of the C-Clip with a screwdriver while using a finger to counter the opposite side of the C-clip (to prevent it from rotating).
Do NOT lose the C-Clip!
2. Undo the UPPER attachment then swing the Trunk Strut inward to unseat it from the LOWER attachment.
3. The new Stabilus Struts already come with a bit of grease, so no need to apply more grease.
4. Installation is the reverse of the above, push the LOWER end in first. Then the UPPER end, then the C-clip.
This is easy like 1-2-3. A very gratifying 5 min fix.
Recommended for cars more than 10 years old.
Exact same procedure for many cars out there with Stabilus Struts (My 2007 Honda Odyssey uses Stabilus Struts as well).
Thanks Cnn! Will keep this in handy
So does the trunk now completely open when you push the button on the key? If so this may be something on my list I will have to tackle soon as that is a very useful feature to have when I am carrying stuff to put in the trunk
Apparently my sig was too sexy for bf.c
Click for teh sexiness...
YES, it pops right up.
Change the Struts and you will be very happy. It is a 5 min job.
Trust me.
what about the trunk struts they sell in autozone? dont they match our cars as well?
LOL I've made 528 posts, and I drive 528i... szweet
Last edited by filon102; 03-03-2011 at 06:01 PM.
My car from new has never done this. It only unlocks and opens up a little bit. Never pops all the way open and up.
Last edited by sidneyj; 04-17-2011 at 10:25 PM.
oh man when i did this i installed the strut backwards, and broke it..
>.<
Nice DIY, Cam.
My wife and I were talking about the need to do this on the 540. What a coincidence that you post this now. The price changed my wife's mind on doing this. I'll be using your DIY to do this soon.
Thank you, Cam!
*towed to E39 DIY*
I was thinking about this yesterday. I was getting annoyed how I have to unlock the trunk and put the stuff I was carrying down to open the trunk...there must be a cheaper alternative at Autozone or something!
I ordered mine from AutohauszAZ and expect them to be in on Wednesday. My struts look rusted on the shaft so I'm looking forward to them looking better but the trunk opening with greater ease will be very nice too.
Thanks for the write-up.
'17 BMW 330i XDrive MSport Touring
'20 BMW R 1250RS Imperial Blue Metallic-Exclusive
'02 BMW Z3 2.5i Titanium
I ordered mine through ebay. Not oem but such a piece doesn't matter to me as a much:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-T...mZ380146100816
Replaced my trunk struts. It's great not having the trunk lid sit in my face as it actually opens wider now. As for pushing the button in the interior and it fully opening on its own...not on mine. Np...
'17 BMW 330i XDrive MSport Touring
'20 BMW R 1250RS Imperial Blue Metallic-Exclusive
'02 BMW Z3 2.5i Titanium
Same, pushing the button still doesn't fully open. I have to push it up about 3/4 of the way.
Shutting close now though its easier. Not that gratifying
edit:
I locked myself out of the car while testing the trunk struts! I left the keys in the trunk and shut it close to test it out and DOH!
Last edited by o2sys; 04-05-2011 at 10:15 AM.
So anyone else do this??? How to get the trunk to open, if not fully then atleast 3/4 of the way?
Now its really heavy to push up and when I close it, it slams shut! WTH~!!!???
2001 540 M-Sport (cdn), ST X (KW) coilovers, H&R 15mm spacers, Eibach anti roll bars (28mm/18mm), Beastpower rear antiroll bar brackets, M5 rear chassis reinforcements (traction rods), Strong Strut front upper strut bar, Dinan Stage 1 software, factory M-Audio subs, Bavsound speaker upgrade, Bluebus bluetooth integration, Stop Tech SS brake lines, ATE coated brake rotors, ATE ceramic brake pads.
Sounds like the replacement struts you bought are too weak, and not appropriate for the application. Return them and buy the oem Stabilus ones. BTW, the oem Stabilus struts should have the actual newton/meter rating printed on the strut. If you buy aftermarket, at least ensure the cross reference matches the same rating. But I would recommend sticking with Stabilus...they are oem for most car manufacturers for a reason.
2001 540 M-Sport (cdn), ST X (KW) coilovers, H&R 15mm spacers, Eibach anti roll bars (28mm/18mm), Beastpower rear antiroll bar brackets, M5 rear chassis reinforcements (traction rods), Strong Strut front upper strut bar, Dinan Stage 1 software, factory M-Audio subs, Bavsound speaker upgrade, Bluebus bluetooth integration, Stop Tech SS brake lines, ATE coated brake rotors, ATE ceramic brake pads.
Gotta do this next weekend, my lid won't stay open for more than 10 seconds. Cheap and easy fix, thanks for all the great info!
Thanks again for doing this DIY, cnn!
I was a little confused by the EAC site.
Do the struts come in pairs or is the price reflective of only one strut?
Last edited by jamesdc4; 10-05-2013 at 06:42 PM.
Thanks cnn and jamesdc4 for your DIYs!
Very easy to do. Nice videos, jamesdc4!
My struts came facing same side, so I had to turn one accordingly.
Thanks again,
siny528i
PS. And nope, my trunk does not open all the way up by only pressing the button Is there a problem? I installed new OEM Stabilus struts.
Last edited by siny528i; 01-08-2012 at 05:16 PM.
BMW CCA 434493
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