rcoppens

My CLK's trunk opened all of the way when I hit the interior or remote open switch. My new SL's trunk just releases, but does not automatically open all of the way up..............

My question, should it (are the SL's trunks supposed to open all of the way up)?

mikeinsf

I was wondering the same thing after I had an E350 on loan from the dealer with a trunk that popped all the way up when released.

DeLorean00

My SL only pops open, but doesn't full open on its own.

RJR

I believe that it is a option on the newer models. My 08 goes all the way up with the remote or pushing the button on the trunk. It is a nice feature. No finger prints on the trunk anymore.

Rook3300

The automatic trunk opener was/is an optional feature on the SLs. Like everyone says, it seems that MB doesn't make much money on the base MSRP, they get you with the list of options. Speaking of which, I'll have to ask my dealer if that can be installed later.
Besides, only plebeians like me open their own trunks. Darn those aristocrats!

Rook

mlandis

I don't have a CLK, but looking at pictures, the hinge appears to be a standard hinge, where it connects to the chassis at one point like a door. If it's like most cars, it uses torsion rods to open the trunk. Torsion rods are two rods that are slightly twisted around each other, then attached to the hinge. They act like springs that make the trunk pop open. This is a pretty simple and cheap way to automatically open a trunk.

The SL trunk hinge is pretty complex -- it opens like an accordion instead of a door. Rather than each side attaching at a single point, they attach to the chassis at two points, one fixed, one sliding. When you open the trunk, the sliding points move closer to the fixed points, pushing the trunk further up and out.

With accordion-style hinges, it's pretty hard to move the attachment points closer together when the accordion is compressed, the way it is when the trunk is closed, but it's a lot easier to move them closer when the accordion is extended, the way the trunk is when it's open. This can be a problem, because simple mechanical tricks like torsion rods and springs will either be too weak to move the trunk when it's almost closed, or so strong it'll eject the trunk lid pretty forcefully when it gets close to extension, and be pretty hard to close. So MB punted, and left the job up to us, simply providing hydraulics to make sure the thing doesn't close on us.

I'd imagine the auto trunk opener feature's motor regulates how quickly it is opening at each point in the arc, so that the moves the slider makes are smaller and smaller as the trunk opens further and further.

Artyi

I have another problem with my trunk lately.
When I fully open it, ti doesn't stay steady, it goes down slowly... And I can't understand the reason... Any ideas?

daltex

Trunk struts may need replacing.
Fairly simple repair.
Has a clip on top and a ball joint kind of connection at the bottom.
Non-OEM sells for about $60.

Lee Wireless

Agree. Replace the struts.

kuro243

Ive read about a guy doing an 08 hydr. conversion. It requires a lot of money.

I'm assuming he just added a hydr. actuator to open and close the trunk

mig1980

Is that $60 for both or per strut? Where to purchase that has the best price?

daltex

I found them cheaper at another place - $47.82 each. They have a $8 handling fee + shipping.

http://www.usautoparts.net/catalog/?...5328+1668+9321

Artyi

Is it hard to change those by myself or better go to the dealer?

daltex

Toooo easy.

Artyi

I just called my dealer they told that there are 3 struts... How I know which to change?

HSESL500MB

Hey, fyi, my dealer just replaced my trunk struts under warranty after I noted that they were not keeping the trunk in an open position (i.e., the trunk lid was dropping). Granted, I told him it was likely due to the cold weather here in NJ but he replaced them anyway. Sweet.

dan1495

I only know of 2 struts, which are pretty easy to replace. I bought mine at the dealer which was stupid but fast as they had them in stock.

YamiFanatic

easy to replace just un bolt and bolt back on...it shouldnt take more then about 20 mins

you could always replace the struts with linear actuators and have them go up auto that way.... just an idea

Artyi

Just came back from dealer, I was replacing my back brake pads. And asked them to check the knocking sound I had in the back.
So at last they did it! My trunk was loose and that's all... I'm happy that this was not a gas tank problem which could cost me much more then 20$ now

biophase

There isn't even any unbolting. There is a clip that holds the strut socket to a ball mount. It's literally insert small screwdriver into clip, remove clip, remove from ball mount. Insert new strut socket into ball, snap. Repeat for other side. Repeat for other strut. Done.

And for you cheapos, you could get away with replacing just one strut as a new strut can hold the trunk up by itself, but your trunk be held up crooked as the old strut is weaker. LOL

mlandis

Oh, man... now I'm waiting to see the dude who's got their SL trunk kept closed with a bungie cord...

OUTCAST

LOL!

aaforever

Bringing back an old topic but I'm getting my trunk struts replaced soon on my 03 sl500 and just want to know if it should Be opening up all the way, halfway or just slightly popped open when I press the trunk release button.

Gsqrd

part way on my 04

aaforever

Thanks guys, just replaced them this morning. My 03 just pops open a bit when you press the trunk release button. Now I'm just getting a creaking sound when I open up the trunk, sounds like someone walking on old wood floors LOL. Any ideas on how to get rid of that noise?