I decided to install gas struts in my trunk and post a DIY for it. This probably won't be of interest to most ppl.

I thought my torsion springs were rattling and removed them to get rid of the noise. I think it helped some but I still have an issue to figure out with rear suspension. This could also be helpful to ppl with a spoiler but not strong enough springs, or ppl who installed bigger speakers in the rear deck.

I ordered the gas struts from http://www.mcmaster.com/#gas-struts/=qies5y

I ended up buying different length and strength struts to test out what would work best.

I ended up using 2(40 lb) strength gas struts. I bought the ones with the ball joint fittings already on them. Part number is 4138T58.


The trunk does not go up on its own when you hit the button. It needs help to go the first 6 inches or so then goes up on its own and stays up. I have 2(60) lb strength struts I might still try and see if that is any better. The problem tho is that you need more force when the trunk is almost closed and less force the more it opens. I dunno of any progressive rate gas struts, so this will have to do. I am happy with it.

Here is a pic of the gas strut.


The tools I used for this project. I also used a set of files but they are not in the pic.


Bought touch up primer and paint at Menards. They carry honda colors like my ssm. I used these to touch up the holes after drilling and cleaning them up.


First thing I did was prop open the trunk with a board.


Remove these clips from the holes on the hinges.



I drilled 1/4" holes in the trunk hinges for an extra mounting point.



I cut a bracket out of 1/8" aluminum using a dremel. I drilled the gas strut mounting hole and one of the 1/4" holes for mounting to the trunk hinge. I cleaned up the bracket with 180 grit sand paper on sanding block.


Mount the bracket to the hinge with the top 1/4" bolt. Hold the bracket in position and use a marking tool thru the hinge to mark where to drill other mounting hole.


2nd bracket made.


Drill the lower mounting point for the gas struts. I tried 3 different mounting points on driver side. The lower mounting point works best. For these holes I made sure I drilled thru atleast 2 layers of sheet metal.



Here is some of the hardware I used. For the hinges I used 1/4" bolts, washers, and locking nuts. I used grade 8 hardware, but it is not necessary.


Mount the brackets on the hinges. Then mount the gas struts to the brackets and to the lower mounting points. Remove the board and you are done.

 

Nice job Brian. Very clean as usual. I'm guessing that the covers for inside of trunk might need to be modified to allow for these shocks coming off the floor. Don't a lot of shock setups mount outside of the weatherstriping in the recess? (Maybe that just on hood shocks) I'll have to look on my aurora once it warms up.

 

Thnx. You would need to modify or remove those trunk covers. You could just cut a hole that will accommodate the struts movement.

Some cars that came with gas struts from factory might have them in the recess. I don't think there is enough room unless you try mini gas struts and whether they have enough force. Not really sure how you would mount it without it making contact when opening/closing.

The spots I used were the only viable option I could figure out.

 

No 2nd gen had gas struts.

That is a great idea!
Much better then my friend that has a TL still.....He mounted a prop rod he cut down at the back lip & pushes it into a hole he drilled in the trunk lid to keep the trunk open.

 

Nice job, I wish it did not take up trunk space tho cause I need all the room I can get for my service calls.

But if I did not use my car for work I would likely be doing this install.

Originally I was under the impression the gas struts would be mounted where the torsion bars are. I guess that would require more fabing and better,stronger, smaller struts

 

Thnx. I was actually just using a trunk prop rod before this. I prefer this.

Thnx. You could possibly mount them so that they are facing from front of car to the back. You would just need to figure out the mounting point and whether the strut movement is fine.

 

Nice write up. I have mine mounted up by the rear seat up bu the deck lid. They take up less space there. Mine open the trunklid all the way when you press the button.

 

Nice work. Does it open fully to the bump stops, or just half way up? Mine don't really take up much space. I can still fit everything I will ever need for a road trip or autox/track event in there.

Think I will try out the 60lb struts today and see if that changes anything.

 

I tried out the 60 lb ones. I am better off with the 40lb ones.

Also fsttyms1 I noticed when looking at pics again that you have torsion springs installed.

I wonder how your mounting point would function without springs. It looks like the sheet metal on the tl is a lil different than the cl where you mounted it.

 

What is the part number on the struts you used?

Thanks

Harv

 

Yep, opens fully. In the pic i just have the trunk pulled down to get a better pic

It works without them as well. I originally put them in because with the wing i was sick of the wind closing the trunk lid on me. I removed the torsion bars one day when i was doing some stereo work in the trunk and they still open it and hold it open.

 

fsttyms1,
What are you mounted to at the seat? Do you fab brackets? And do you have part number for the struts?

 

I just took a piece of "L" bracket Aluminum and drilled and tapped the hole to thread the ball end of the strut. As for part #? Ill try to get a number later today.

 

^ so you have a bracket that looks something like this?

 

yea, something like that.

 

Here is the label on the strut. (the overall length of the body (the black part) of it is 7.5" )