SL/R230: Trunk question........
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 539
Likes: 1
From: Brantford, Ontario, Canada
R230
Trunk question........
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)?
My question, should it (are the SL's trunks supposed to open all of the way up)?
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 326
Likes: 27
From: Southeast PA
2024 911 Turbo S, 2023 Denali 2500 HD, 2026 G63
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.
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 244
Likes: 1
From: Louisiana
2005 SL500
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
Besides, only plebeians like me open their own trunks. Darn those aristocrats!
Rook
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 337
Likes: 0
From: Montrose, CA
2007 SL550
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.
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.
Last edited by mlandis; Feb 7, 2009 at 09:44 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 213
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From: SW Florida
1995 SL500 - 2017 AMG GLC 43
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 91
Likes: 1
03 SL500
I found them cheaper at another place - $47.82 each. They have a $8 handling fee + shipping.
http://www.usautoparts.net/catalog/?...5328+1668+9321
http://www.usautoparts.net/catalog/?...5328+1668+9321
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 61
Likes: 1
From: NJ
2014 (SL550); 2009 SL550 (sold); '05 SL500 (sold)
Hey, fyi, my dealer just replaced my trunk struts under warranty after I noted that they were not keeping the trunk in an open position (i.e., the trunk lid was dropping). Granted, I told him it was likely due to the cold weather here in NJ but he replaced them anyway. Sweet.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
07 S550 & 05 SL55
easy to replace just un bolt and bolt back on...it shouldnt take more then about 20 mins
you could always replace the struts with linear actuators and have them go up auto that way.... just an idea
you could always replace the struts with linear actuators and have them go up auto that way.... just an idea
Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Vilnius, Lithuania.
Mercedes-Benz SL 500
Just came back from dealer, I was replacing my back brake pads. And asked them to check the knocking sound I had in the back.
So at last they did it! My trunk was loose and that's all... I'm happy that this was not a gas tank problem which could cost me much more then 20$ now
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
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
03 SL500
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
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 337
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From: Montrose, CA
2007 SL550
Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 156
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From: West Covina, CA
W221 S600 // R230 SL500 // B8 A4 // JZZ30 SC300
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.
Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 156
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From: West Covina, CA
W221 S600 // R230 SL500 // B8 A4 // JZZ30 SC300
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?
