Not sure I have the correct terminology here. Suddenly today my sedan trunk lid did not lift up with ease. Is there an adjustment for the hydraulic lifter/support or are they worn out and need to be replaced? Yesterday trunk opened and closed normally; today I'm afraid to stick my head inside for fear of lid falling and decapitating me. When it closes, it comes down with a thunk. What happened and how do I fix it?

Sorry if this has been covered elsewhere--I did not find it.

Suzanne - owner but no mechanic

Hey Suzanne,
Just go online to www.FCPGroton.com and look under the 850 section or here's a link: http://www.fcpgroton.com/volvo850other.htm . Just copy and paste the address to your browser window and it will take you to the correct page for the trunk strut. There is a different strut for a car with a trunk spoiler vs. one without so make sure you get the applicable pair. I would replace both sides at the same time. It only takes one to fail and prevent your trunk from lifting properly (one finger...lift). If both failed I doubt you could open your trunk yourself. The ones for the spoiler equipped trunks is $28 a piece, the one for a non-spoiler trunk is $18 (less lift capacity...), get the correct ones. The dealer charges about $80 for the struts. The strut is removed by removing the C-clip off the end attached to the trunk lid itself. The end that is attached to the car body just pops off, use a screwdriver for leverage to pry it free. The new one snaps back on the body point and then just replace the C-clip on the trunk end. Takes about 15 minutes each. You'll have to have someone or something hold the trunk lid open while you do this. Good luck.....


Mike
'95 850T

Thanks Mike and all:

I drove by my Volvo mechanic's and he confirmed the struts are gone and I need to replace. I found a good price (best yet) on Stabilus-Boge trunk struts through Autohaus Arizona at $15.19 each. They are super nice to deal with and my struts were marked as shipped within two hours of purchase (in case anyone wants to check out another source for OEM and approved Volvo replacement parts). They specialize in European car parts.

Suzanne
(just back from a 2600 RT drive to Arizona and reporting 25mpg and not a drop of oil used. This car was so comfortable and ran beautifully.)

About $20 from fcpgroton.com or Pep Boys or (shudder) your Volvo dealer. Replace them as a pair. Alternatively, if you're REALLY cheap, cut a length of 2x4, a broom handle or....use a #2 golf club as in this thread:

http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/index.htm?id=749963

The pneumatic lifts will usually loose pressure gradually over time until they need to be replaced (no adjustments possible). If you have noticed a sudden change, take a look and make sure that one has not come loose. If not, then it is time for replacements. Removing the old and putting in the new is an easy DIY job.

Phantom