Hatchback Problems?

[KJ zGal]

The rear glass hatchback on my KJ's has suddenly decided not to stay up. You can hear the usual noise is makes when it rises, but it sinks back down. Is this something that can be caused by cold weather? It has been very cold lately. If not, how can I go about fixing it?

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Sounds to me like the high pressure gas struts which allow the glass to pop up at a controled rate are worn out and need replacing.

 

[jnaut]

x2 on gas struts. You can replace them pretty easy.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Sounds to me like the high pressure gas struts which allow the glass to pop up at a controled rate are worn out and need replacing.

I forgot to add, replace them in pairs and have a friend give you a hand, it makes it a little easier to do.

 

[JeepJeepster]

Yes, the cold weather causes that. Mine will not open by itself in the winter but it stays up. Works fine in the summer.

 

[desertkj]

I bought mine from Napa for about $70 total. Don't go to the dealer though as they quoted me close to $200 for the two struts alone!

 

[yellocoyote]

Same problem with the hydraulics on the back glass and the hood... not cold-weather friendly.

 

[Robocody]

It's because when it gets cold, the pressure in the gas shocks goes down. When it gets warm, It'll be better.

 

[JeepJeepster]

It's because when it gets cold, the pressure in the gas shocks goes down. When it gets warm, It'll be better.

Exactly. When air gets cold it contracts, when it gets warmer it expands.

 

[Atrus]

Exactly. When air gets cold it contracts, when it gets warmer it expands.

Let's see if I remember Chem. Haven't had it in 10 years...Boyle's law, correct?

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Sure, but at the end of the day, both need to be replaced.
You think that my best friend up in Fairbanks, Alaska is going to wait around for the weather to warm up so his lift gate will stay up?
No, he would replace his gas struts with new ones on his '03.

 

[KJ zGal]

Well both of the major winter trips I take this year are over, so there's really no need for me to replace it at the moment. The only reason I noticed it was because I was trying to get my friend's suitcase into and out of the back. Thanks for the help though--I'll see what warm weather does first, and then if it's still messed up I'll replace it.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Hope it doesn't give you any more problems in the meantime! If it does, come back here!
Saved me enough money in the last two years!

 

[KJ zGal]

Well, in addition to the fact that my friend dropped it on my head last night, it hasn't caused any problems. -glare- By the way--those are rather heavy when you're not expecting it =[