tailgate

[Brent]

Hi all
I have an E class estate 2001. Just recently the tailgate seems to be getting heavier, this morning it came down slowly on its own. Does anyone know how to adjust the mechanism and how easy it is.
Thanks
Brent

 

[GordonTarling]

There's nothing to adjust - you need new gas struts. I suspect this is probably a dealer job, though others here may be able to advise better than me.

 

[mr. shr]

Does sound like you need new gas struts.
Can be done yourself but quite a fiddly job.

Wouldn't recommend a dealer for this. Either do it yourself if you are reasonably handy, or take it to an indy.

 

[Wizeng]

It may be that as the temperature drops, the gas pressure drops as well, (Boyles Law) I have noticed that my tailgate is not quite as well balanced in the winter.

 

[wemorgan]

^ yes that's a valid reason too, though for that same reason OEMs try to minimise the gas pressure within the strut and have the mass and geometry controlling the closure force.

With automatic powered tailgates this is thankfully eliminated.

 

[Smiley]

If you decide to change the struts yourself then make sure you are very careful - it is a 2 person job and make sure that the weight of the tailgate does not drop on you when you have removed one strut - it will hurt a lot.