nabc43

Gentlemen, I'm having an issue with my hydraulic trunk closing, I did have a problem with the pump, the fluid kept leaking out, it would work fine for a couple weeks and start acting up again.

I purchases a used pump on eBay and the trunk is now opening and closing perfectly like when the car was new....my problem is when it opens it only stays open for about 5 seconds and closes automatically, it does not slam shut or anything, it just closes as if I hit the red button.

I've tried the 10 second reset procedure, no change...this is a new problem since switching out the pump, this did not happen with the old pump when it did work.

Thanks for your help....Nick

DrDoe

Is it possible that both struts went bad? Hydraulic pump lifts the lid up then the struts hold the lid in place. If the struts can't hold the lid then it would fall down and close.

nabc43

Thanks DrDoe, saw that on another thread and just ordered new struts....I'll,update once they are installed

nabc43

Ok, pretty sure it is the struts, just went out and backed the car into the driveway so the front of the car was facing down hill a little, opened th trunk and it stayed open....no pressure on the struts when it's facing down hill.

DrDoe

Glad to hear. I got MB struts for the trunk last year but in hindsight, I should have went for the cheapest aftermarket brand as the money is better spent elsewhere.

tusabes

I don't think aftermarket trunk struts are available
only genuine mb

nabc43

PartsGeek had two different struts available, one set were $63 each the other were $33 ach, went with the cheaper ones, talked to a guy there on the phone and he said they will work just as well as the more expensive ones...

DrDoe

Perhaps it requires cross reference to struts of the same length. I would think anything would work.

amstel78

I got a pair of aftermarket struts for less than 25 dollars on fleabay, Works fine.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-Trunk-Lif...VY-bSn&vxp=mtr

DrDoe

Wow. That's like 10x less than what I paid for mine. We need a thread for good cheap buys.

amstel78

Correction, the ones I actually purchased were these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hood-2208800...-/252468202058

They were a bit more expensive at $31.00 than the last link I posted but they work fine just as I'm sure the 25 dollar ones will also function suitably.

I had the same problem of the lid closing on its own shortly after the trunk opened. Replacing both struts with the aftermarket ones solved the issue. I considered buying OEM struts but the cheapest I could find them were around $95 a piece. Personally, I didn't think it was necessary to spend that much money on trunk struts.

I also bought other stuff on eBay for my S65 like a factory MB pulsation damper for $150.00, 24 NGK IFR6QG plugs for $249, 24 OE spark plug boots for $50, and a GPS sharkfin antenna cover for $40.

It's a used car so I if I can find low cost alternatives for non-critical parts, then I'll go that route. I will however spend the money for critical parts like suspension, brakes, and drive train components (have to replace lower torque arms, ball joints, and front rotors soon). For a car with this much power and weight, you can't cheap out on stuff like that.

kraut56

with the prices you are paying you should go to your local MB dealer.
They are about the same.
...or less!

amstel78

Not the dealerships in the NYC or tristate area. Pulsation damper at most dealerships was over $250. Trust me. I checked.