No tailgate struts
#1
No tailgate struts
My Advance is missing tailgate struts. Just noticed this. It still opens and closes as necessary and even stays in the open position by it self. Hmmm
Another minor, but under-acknowledged nice feature of the RDX.
Another minor, but under-acknowledged nice feature of the RDX.
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zroger73 (03-21-2019)
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Madd Dog (03-19-2019)
#6
Look at the installation instructions for the accessory remote-start if you want to get an idea of what's involved in getting access to that area. It's not pretty. I hope the mechanism is robust.
http://www.urvi.net/forumfiles/SB/BII07802-02.PDF
http://www.urvi.net/forumfiles/SB/BII07802-02.PDF
#7
I have opened the tailgate many times in my 3 months of ownership, yet only realized/discovered this when I started this thread. I had noticed the humps in the rear view mirror, but never really paid any attention, just figuring they were to cover the hinges. I have no concerns about failure or having to access them.
My post was partly showing my amazement, and also a little tongue in cheek in it's presentation...I don't know if this is a new "feature" on the 3G RDX, or if previous GENs were strut-less as well. This is the first SUV/Crossover that I have owned (out of many) that didn't have these struts.
My post was partly showing my amazement, and also a little tongue in cheek in it's presentation...I don't know if this is a new "feature" on the 3G RDX, or if previous GENs were strut-less as well. This is the first SUV/Crossover that I have owned (out of many) that didn't have these struts.
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#8
This is the first car I've owned with a power tailgate and I don't know if they're mostly similar but it did occur to me there must be a lot of stress on those hinge mechanisms. Have to ever tried to lift a gate with the gas struts removed?
#9
The first generation VW Touareg used the same design struts for the tailgate. Absolute PAIN IN THE ASS to fix when it breaks btw. Not sure why Acura decided to go this route other than to force expensive dealership visits down the road.
#10
because it looks way nicer then the struts sitting out, leaves more room open for you to access the trunk, I mean if you were to not build something on a car just because someday it would be hard to fix then we would be riding around in horse and buggies, I for one like the design
#11
because it looks way nicer then the struts sitting out, leaves more room open for you to access the trunk, I mean if you were to not build something on a car just because someday it would be hard to fix then we would be riding around in horse and buggies, I for one like the design
Cool that you like it, hopefully it proves reliable or you will stop liking it if it goes bad after the warranty period. Assuming of course you keep it till then or aren't leasing. I buy cars with the intention of keeping them till they stop moving, so things like this do worry me. I realize it may not worry everyone else though.
Last edited by RDX10; 03-20-2019 at 01:27 AM.
#12
I never had a problem with gas struts on any of my SUVs or hatchbacks. I never noticed them nor thought they got in the way. I can't say that this design is much of an improvement. The volume taken by the hinges obstructs some of the rear view. Just substituting the gas struts with linear actuators seems like a much simpler and more reliable solution. But time will tell. There has to be A LOT of torque on those hinges.
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RDX10 (03-20-2019)
#13
I never had a problem with gas struts on any of my SUVs or hatchbacks. I never noticed them nor thought they got in the way. I can't say that this design is much of an improvement. The volume taken by the hinges obstructs some of the rear view. Just substituting the gas struts with linear actuators seems like a much simpler and more reliable solution. But time will tell. There has to be A LOT of torque on those hinges.
#14
I never had a problem with gas struts on any of my SUVs or hatchbacks. I never noticed them nor thought they got in the way. I can't say that this design is much of an improvement. The volume taken by the hinges obstructs some of the rear view. Just substituting the gas struts with linear actuators seems like a much simpler and more reliable solution. But time will tell. There has to be A LOT of torque on those hinges.
BTW, yes, this is a new feature for 3rd-gen RDX. For better or worse.
Powered linear actuators are another solution, and those are common in other Honda/Acura vehicles with powered rear hatches.
The hatch is composite ( plastic ) to reduce the weight the mechanism needs to deal with. So try not to get shot at from behind.
But just so we're clear on this, the "hinges" are in exactly the same place as any other hatch. The lift mechanism is different, and it will experience different forces than a strut-based system.
Last edited by Wander; 03-20-2019 at 08:57 PM.
#15
#16
Did you also notice..
Did you also notice that the entire rear hatch is made from a composite material (maybe glass fiber reinforced plastic) that makes it extremely lightweight so that gas struts aren't required?
Only the outside of the hatch is a metal 'skin'.. likely aluminum.. (i didn't try a magnet on it so not positive).
Only the outside of the hatch is a metal 'skin'.. likely aluminum.. (i didn't try a magnet on it so not positive).
#17
Did you also notice that the entire rear hatch is made from a composite material (maybe glass fiber reinforced plastic) that makes it extremely lightweight so that gas struts aren't required?
Only the outside of the hatch is a metal 'skin'.. likely aluminum.. (i didn't try a magnet on it so not positive).
Only the outside of the hatch is a metal 'skin'.. likely aluminum.. (i didn't try a magnet on it so not positive).
There is a comment in the owner's manual that the hatch mechanism will reverse if it encounters resistance, but you shouldn't test it because you may deform the composite hatch. Of course, I tested it anyway...
BTW, the magnet test is negative, so definitely not a steel skin.
Last edited by Wander; 03-23-2019 at 08:09 PM.
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