Spannering query... boot struts

[carreauchompeur]

Aaaargh!

One of those jobs I wish I’d never started. I looked at guides on YouTube and it looked fairly simple although I think my V70 is a slightly different design... the access is awful because only half the panels come off. It’s one of those designs Which looks pretty from the outside but which turns the job from a simple one into a complete cluster fk. Basically you have to be on your back in the boot prising open the roof panels or simultaneously trying to fit these bloody things.

But the fundamental problem is these...


I need to compress them very slightly in order to get them to fit. They are rock solid. I’ve tried to open the boot further but it’s at its furthest extension. I’ve tried ratchet straps but they just slip off. Any ideas please before I have to hand in my man card and take it to the garage?

[carreauchompeur]

.... to clarify, I haven’t Got the external straps this is a fancy design which runs them inside the boot ergo making a complete nightmare job!

[ChickenvanGuy]

I can't help directly, but I bought hydraulic bonnet struts for my S2000 and when they came I could not compress them at all no matter what I did. So much so I thought they were faulty and asked the Ebay seller for a refund. They messaged back that, once fitted, they would work fine.

So I fitted them, full of doubt, and carefully tried to close the bonnet. After a brief resistance, they gave and have worked fine ever since.

So I guess the trick is to compress them in the same plane as the closing boot / bonnet would?

Hope this helps!

[carreauchompeur]

Hmmm, good shout, but I can’t think of a way to compress them!

Edit... vice, wood, lump hammer maybe?

[ChickenvanGuy]

Use the shed door and put your shoulder to it?

There was a resistance to my struts, I recall I felt them "give" as they began to work.

[Reciprocating mass]

Has one of the ball mounts got a couple of bolts mounting it to the body etc that you can loosen off to give it more room for movement, then pop on the strut and tighten the mounting bolts back up after fitting the strut to the balls,
Just a thought ?

[carreauchompeur]

Reciprocating mass said:

Has one of the ball mounts got a couple of bolts mounting it to the body etc that you can loosen off to give it more room for movement, then pop on the strut and tighten the mounting bolts back up after fitting the strut to the balls,
Just a thought ?

Good shout, it has, although given the restricted access I think I’d just end up in a bigger pickle once fitted!

[Reciprocating mass]

You can do it man what’s the worst that could happen, if there is some trim in the way pop it off it’s only clips

[InitialDave]

Can you not compress them at all, even putting all your body weight into it? That sounds a little odd.

[Bill]

Fit the top end, then put the bottom in a suitably sized hole in a block of wood (to protect the bit you lean it on...) and use the leverage of the boot lid to push. Then quickly whip the boot up and clip the bottom end on as it extends.

(We need a video...)

[carreauchompeur]

Hahaha, that sounds... adventurous Bill!

The trim is a pain in the arse, there will be a LOT which will come off. I’ve already broken some clips 🤦🏼‍♂️

I’ve made some progress, using my bench vice and a block of wood I have compressed both struts half way a few times, which might help... still can’t move them at all on my own, even leaning 90kg on them.

round two after work tomorrow!

[henrycrun]

stupid idea > can you somehow utilise the bonnet to compress em ?

[carreauchompeur]

henrycrun said:

stupid idea > can you somehow utilise the bonnet to compress em ?

Nope, they are internal!

[carreauchompeur]

Got it... compress them appropriately in the vice, long cable ties to keep them there, install...

[carreauchompeur]

Piece of piss once you know how...

After pissing around compressing struts etc. Etc.

Undid the anchor bolts at the back of the strut. Was expecting to have to fight the mounting back on but absolutely no worries. Slightly scary access as lots of airbag and alarm wires draped around their vicinity

Side 1: several hours of swearing, consultation with others over 2 days
Side 2: 10 mins

My boot interior plastic nearly looks like it did when I took it off!

Cheers all.

[Reciprocating mass]

Top man