[sudeepg]

***** Rear Hatch Gas Strut Replacements *****

The gas struts holding the rear tailgate when opened were long gone. It was the case in the DDiS 200 and the same in DDiS 320. Initially, I ignored this problem until I injured myself when working on the car. I usually leave the tail gate open to access tools when working on the car. While cleaning the exteriors on a Sunday, I was wiping the rear bumper area when I got up to take a microfibre cloth from the boot. Just a while before that, I had cleaned the tailgate and not fully raised it back since the gas struts were beyond their life. I hit my head and had terrible pain and headache after that which spoiled one of my weekends. There's a reason why there's a saying a stitch in time saves nine!

Made the decision to get the part replaced and looked up boodmo site. They were running a free delivery on a weekend campaign (They do this every weekend!) )

Decided to go aftermarket this time for the following reasons:

• Skeptical about some OEM parts in general based on mine and peer feedbacks
• Cost: OEM cost is 550 + Taxes per piece with an installation cost of 350 (As quoted by Bimal). Part numbers: 81860M64M00/81850M64M00

Part Number: AM-G81585
Origin: After market
Class: Gas Spring
Make: Gabriel
Cost: 351 per piece (works left side and right side)







So why is OEM part almost twice as expensive?
I believe the OEM part comes with the side hinges besides the gas struts and is specific to a side (RH/LH).



There is no need to change the hinges. Besides that, removing and reinstalling it is more difficult than changing just the gas struts on either side. It takes less than 5 minutes with a simple screwdriver.

Trivia: It takes a lot of force to push in the new struts. It may appear stuck, but that is how it is!

WARNING: The tail gate is very heavy and if the gas struts are not supporting it, it will come crashing on your head. So ensure you have someone to assist you in holding up the tailgate when changing the struts. You can alternatively, use your head and with one side strut holding the weight at a time to manage if you have no one to assist.

Some folks recommend using a wooden log to support the side being removed. I don't recommend this unless you are sure that the log won't get dislodged and come crashing on your head.

***** Steps to Install *****

1. Raise the tailgate completely.
2. Have a friend support the tail gate.
3. Using a flathead screwdriver, pry open the locking clips on one side of the strut.
4. Pull the strut out from its ball joint. (Note: The moment you do this, the tailgate is free and the weight is supported by your friend)
5. Clean and grease a bit for smooth operation.
6. Open the new gas strut and push insert the side that corresponds to the side you just removed. This is important. You should not interchange the sides.
7. Repeat on the other side.
8. If you started from the left strut, repeat on the right side or vice versa.

***** Pictures of the Installation *****







Just prior to doing this, me and one of my closest friends (Jaunthead on this forum) upgraded the headlamps on his car from D2S to D2H just like I did mine. See this post (S-Crossed again! My pre-owned Maruti S-Cross 1.6 | Ownership Review) for details

I also tricked him into upgrading his fog lamps to Bi-LEDs, just like mine. Below is a teaser from alignment testing
I also got new gas struts installed for the tailgate on his car.

We had a fun weekend!!!

[KK_HakunaMatata]

Originally Posted by sudeepg

***** Rear Hatch Gas Strut Replacements *****

The gas struts

Thank you very much for the post.

Read it today morning and by evening my BIL was saying the rear hatch is not holding, and immediately remembered this post. Checked the rates on boodmo, as you mentioned the OEM sells along with the bracket, which is 777 per side. And I checked for the alternative, Motherson is available at 422 without the brackets. Where did you source the parts? Boodmo or JC road, assuming you are from Bangalore from your location.

KK

[Aditya]

DIY: Replacing Rear Hatch Gas Struts - Posts moved to a new thread.

[Joe367]

This is one of those things I'd recommend everyone to do it themselves. Struts in my Kwid had failed - it was not holding the boot lid properly. We were reluctant to get it replaced for some time because our dealer was quoting similar price for replacing them. Later I came across a YouTube video explaining the process and felt like it is something we could replace ourselves.

I ordered Gas Spring for RENAULT KWID - AM-G81560 - GABRIEL, took only about 15 minutes to install them. It costed total of Rs 764 (353 per piece + delivery charges). It has been an year since and we haven't had any issues with them so far.

[Illuminati]

Vow! never knew changing the tailgate gas strut was this simple and cost-effective.

Thanks for sharing.

I just got a question, since the gas struts are cheap (relatively) has anyone DIYed for installing it in the hood also (I understand it will require additional brackets & welding which may be difficult to make/procure)?

[vivek2652]

Brilliant DIY Sudeepg

Were the original struts made by 'Suspa Liftline' in your Scross? All Baleno/Glanza have this property of slow opening hatch where you need to open the hatch till midway and then it opens slowly by itself.
How are the after-market ones performing compared to the original new ones?

[sudeepg]

Originally Posted by KK_HakunaMatata

Thank you very much for the post.

Where did you source the parts? Boodmo or JC road, assuming you are from Bangalore from your location.

KK

Sourced it from Boodmo.

Originally Posted by Illuminati

I just got a question, since the gas struts are cheap (relatively) has anyone DIYed for installing it in the hood also (I understand it will require additional brackets & welding which may be difficult to make/procure)?

I believe it is possible but will require the correct set of struts and also the brackets on both sides to hold them. The Suzuki Vitara internationally has this and I had considered installing the struts for the hood, but that will currently be for a later time.

Originally Posted by vivek2652

Brilliant DIY Sudeepg
Were the original struts made by 'Puspa Liftine' in your Scross?
All baleno/glanza have this property of slow opening hatch where you need to open the hatch till midway and then it opens slowly by itself.
How are the after-market ones performing compared to the original new ones?

The struts were MGP, not sure who the original supplier was.
The after market struts are doing well, I have to lift the tail gate about 1/4 of its travel and then it opens up by itself.

[Joe367]

Originally Posted by vivek2652

Brilliant DIY Sudeepg

Were the original struts made by 'Suspa Liftline' in your Scross? All Baleno/Glanza have this property of slow opening hatch where you need to open the hatch till midway and then it opens slowly by itself.
How are the after-market ones performing compared to the original new ones?

Not sure about Scross, but the original ones in my Kwid were 'Suspa Iiftline'. The Aftermarket struts performed as well if not better than the original in my case.