Trunk gas spring
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2009 CLK 350
Trunk gas spring
When I use the key fob to open the trunk on my 2009 CLK Cab the trunk unlocks, but doesn't pop open more than a crack. I wonder whether I have a bad gas spring? From reading the manual it seems like it should open completely. Would appreciate a clarification from another owner.
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2008 CLK550 Cab
My understanding it that's all it does if you have the standard release. The struts hold the lid up, but you have to raise it. Much like when you pop your hood release, the hood does not raise until you raise it. That's my understanding anyway. On cars like mine that have the auto trunk closer, the whole system is different. It does not use gas struts. It uses small hydraulic lifts like the convertible top uses. So it fully opens and auto closes.
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2004 CLK320
The trunk should swing open with the help of springs (2 physical springs with hooks on each side, not gas springs). For my 2004 CLK320 Coupe, one broke back in 2014 and the other one broke in 2016.
My coupe does not have the trunk closer feature. Once the trunk release is activated, the trunk will swing open to its full-open position quickly.
Parts: 2097570029. Inexpensive item, $15CAN from local dealership.
My coupe does not have the trunk closer feature. Once the trunk release is activated, the trunk will swing open to its full-open position quickly.
Parts: 2097570029. Inexpensive item, $15CAN from local dealership.
Last edited by mis3; Feb 20, 2017 at 12:46 PM.
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2009 CLK 350
You can adjust the spring tension for this. Before I got a trunk spoiler mine would fly open, now it opens very delicately. If you peel back the carpet on the sides you can see the spring has several notches you can move it to to adjust the tension.
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2008 CLK550 Cab
If that's the case then my understanding may be wrong. But I could swear I read a thread where Rodney said it only unlocks. Is it possible the coupe and convert are different? OP, do you have springs in addition to your gas struts?
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2004 CLK320
I ask because when one of the trunk springs broke, it would take some effort to lift the trunk. The trunk is surprisingly heavy.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2016
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2009 CLK 350
No trouble opening it, so I think I'm good based on the responses received so far. Still waiting for the oracle (Rodney) to reply.
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From: Midlands, UK
CLK W209
I think the cabriolets don't have springs, and have struts instead. If they were hard to lift then you'd probably be looking at new struts. Whereas on the coupe you could just move the springs a notch further forward. The springs take up quite a lot of space down the side of the boot. I presume this space is otherwise occupied in the cabriolets, hence the need for a struts.
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2004 CLK320
I always find that the trunk swing opens too fast.
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2012 C300 4MATIC Sport
Ever since I bought my car (coupe) and the trunk only pops a tiny bit when unlocked. I thought it's an option to have the trunk swing open automatically and that my car did not have that feature.
Could be that the springs are broken I guess after reading this. I am going to inspect them and see if I can buy new ones.
Thanks guys for the info!
Could be that the springs are broken I guess after reading this. I am going to inspect them and see if I can buy new ones.
Thanks guys for the info!
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The coupe's trunk lid uses springs, and when properly adjusted will open fully when unlocked. If that does not happen, then a spring must be weak or broken or detached.
The cabriolet uses Lift-O-Mat struts and only pops open an inch. The struts are made to hold the lid in the open position.
With the optional "trunk closer", powered hydraulic struts are used to open and close the lid.
The cabriolet uses Lift-O-Mat struts and only pops open an inch. The struts are made to hold the lid in the open position.
With the optional "trunk closer", powered hydraulic struts are used to open and close the lid.
