Tailgate Gas Struts

[Willie]

So I’ve fitted the electric lift and close to my mg4 and my wife love this because she always thought the hatch heavy to open and close
Hardest part of the fit is reading the instructions and fishing wires into the hatch was hard but the electrics work fine happy to answer any questions

I fitted my tailgate auto-lift 3 years ago, what an asset it is as I suffer from arthritis.

 

[redwood98]

So I’ve fitted the electric lift and close to my mg4 and my wife love this because she always thought the hatch heavy to open and close
Hardest part of the fit is reading the instructions and fishing wires into the hatch was hard but the electrics work fine happy to answer any questions

Thiis is the like £200 one isnt it? The one that closes and opens electronically

 

[MG Clive]

Thiis is the like £200 one isnt it? The one that closes and opens electronically

@Willie has fitted the auto-open/close ones

 

[redwood98]

@Willie has fitted the auto-open/close ones

Yes, I am about to buy the auto open only ones and see how they do. Will update the forum once they arrive and I fit them.

 

[redhez]

Yes, I am about to buy the auto open only ones and see how they do. Will update the forum once they arrive and I fit them.

Any help I can give you on this site or another medium

 

[redwood98]

Any help I can give you on this site or another medium

I doubt they will arrive till end of December, start of January unfortunately.

 

[redwood98]

lol I have those to install as well. Doing boot first as looks easier lol

I think I'm going to do my boot first now too, going to do it over Christmas, did you end up doing yours yet?

 

[slmorgan42]

I think I'm going to do my boot first now too, going to do it over Christmas, did you end up doing yours yet?

lol been too manic. Probably going to find time next week. Had a quick look at the fitted ones I think it needs a flat head screwdriver to pop the clip and take them off.

 

[redwood98]

lol been too manic. Probably going to find time next week. Had a quick look at the fitted ones I think it needs a flat head screwdriver to pop the clip and take them off.

I just did mine, they are extremely easy to do just as you said and although you can do it one person as I did the first one, it's much easier and faster having someone hold the tailgate up while you quickly do it.

 

[slmorgan42]

I just did mine, they are extremely easy to do just as you said and although you can do it one person as I did the first one, it's much easier and faster having someone hold the tailgate up while you quickly do it.

Good to know thanks. I may be able to drag one of my daughters out to give me a hand lol

 

[redwood98]

Good to know thanks. I may be able to drag one of my daughters out to give me a hand lol

It is possible to do on your own as I did the first one on my own but its awkward to get a screwdriver under the little plastic latch bits and get the leverage you need while holding the tailgate up. I have to send a video to the manufacturer to get a weaker one as the one I bought is too strong. You have to put quite a bit of force into closing it.

 

[slmorgan42]

It is possible to do on your own as I did the first one on my own but its awkward to get a screwdriver under the little plastic latch bits and get the leverage you need while holding the tailgate up. I have to send a video to the manufacturer to get a weaker one as the one I bought is too strong. You have to put quite a bit of force into closing it.

Interesting let me know how the weaker one goes.

 

[slmorgan42]

So I finally got round to changing mine today. As mentioned previously, it wasn’t particularly difficult to do, even on my own.

A few things I noticed that may help others:

• When doing the first strut, I had to hold the boot up as the remaining old strut didn’t support it well enough. The second one was much easier, as the new strut is noticeably stronger.
• Before starting, make sure the ends of the new strut line up with the ball joints. I had to twist mine slightly to get them aligned before popping them on.
• When removing the clips from the old struts, take off both the top and bottom clips before removing the strut. This makes it easier to hold the boot while fitting the new one.
• You can slip the clips back onto the old struts for safekeeping. The easiest way is to line them up with the slots down the side of the strut ends (see photos).
• As others have mentioned, the boot is a little harder to close afterwards. That may just be my imagination, but it does seem to soften slightly with use. Only time will tell.

Overall, I’m happy with them

Now I just need to find the time to do the bonnet ones.

 

[MG Clive]

So does the tailgate fully open on it's own when you press the boot unlock button on the keyfob @slmorgan42 ?

 

[slmorgan42]

So does the tailgate fully open on it's own when you press the boot unlock button on the keyfob @slmorgan42 ?

Once the latch is released either by pressing the button on the boot by hand or a long press on the fob it then raises by itself.

Caught me off guard the first time I did it using the boot button as I was leaning forward a little as it released and started to rise lol

 

[dsimpkins]

For anyone else doing this job on their own, then one of these clamps would hold the strut open while changing the other side. Same would work for the bonnet.

1PC Universal Auto Haube/Kofferraum Gas Strut Anti-Slip Clamp Lift Unterstützung Stange Befestigung Werkzeug Stopper - AliExpress 34

 

[MG Clive]

For anyone else doing this job on their own, then one of these clamps would hold the strut open while changing the other side. Same would work for the bonnet.

Or a broom handle.

 

[dsimpkins]

 

[Archev]

Or a broom handle.

That’s a sweeping statement
Coat ? Door? OK.

 

[redwood98]

For anyone else doing this job on their own, then one of these clamps would hold the strut open while changing the other side. Same would work for the bonnet.

1PC Universal Auto Haube/Kofferraum Gas Strut Anti-Slip Clamp Lift Unterstützung Stange Befestigung Werkzeug Stopper - AliExpress 34

I was able to do it with one hand by loosening the struts first and holding the tailgate open with one had while doing it with the other.