boot struts
 

am in the process of changing them for new ones

I've got the trim panels etc down and the old ones off

The new struts are tricky to get on as they are ever so slightly too long even when the boot lid us pushed open as far as it will go. I've managed to get one side on, but can't get the other one on

The strut needs compressing a little bit, but I can't do it by hand. Is there a trick to doing it?

Hi Alpine,

I was going to post about this anyway, and now you are asking so here goes.

Until recently I struggled with the problem that you have now, to get the second end of the strut onto the ball fitting. The strut is (sometimes) slightly too long!

Then I watched a youtube video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SBzO-QxutY&t=162s

at 2:04

where the guy loosened the two 10mm or 13mm head bolts that hold the ball fitting bracket to the roof of the car. I had never thought of doing that.

Loosen or remove that bracket, fit the strut to it then bolt the bracket back up into place.
I didn't make notes when I last did it but there is some adjustment available when you reposition the bracket and I think the problem goes away.

Hopefully that makes sense.

Steve

great Steve, thanks for that I will take a look, I assume it would be the ball bracket nearer the rear of the car, rather than the other one?

Hi Alpine,

Look at the video. I think it is the bracket towards the front of the car.

Steve

...and if Steve's idea doesn't work...

I said "two 10mm head bolts"
I think I should have said "two 13mm head bolts"

Steve

:regular_smile:

Did you use genuine Volvo or spurious ones.
Only asking as I need some and a lot of aftermarket ones have no dampening in the end of the stroke,resulting in a bounce effect if the tailgate is left to open without holding on to it.

they are from here, seem ok quality: https://www.partsmonster.co.uk/volvo...-x2-9356-p.asp

I will let you know what they are like if I ever get them both on!

£6.50 would have sorted it. My 16YO did ours. He found a pair via eBay. These £13 cheapie-struts catapulted the thing, such that the tail-gate fires open so fast it 'bounces'.

He took one off again. We've now got one new, one old on there. Now it's perfect. One for spares.

When the 'new' weakens, we'll go from there.

These...