Is there any way to adjust the closing resistance on my 2016 Prius rear door?

No. No safe way.

With use, they will get a little looser.......but not much.

 

it has been said that there are adjustable attachment points. if so, lowering it might make it easier to close.
otherwise, you might find aftermarket struts with less resistance.
i would try wiping some lube on the piston.

 

I'm not sure about that. Not saying one way or the other, maybe someone else will weigh in that actually knows. For starters I think it would matter what lube.

Just my hunch: when the car is delivered those tubes are clean-and-dry, best keep them that way? Kind of like the little bars on the side door detents: you can lightly lube the exposed hinge point, but don't put lube along the length of the detent.

Just for another data point: our hatch open/closed more freely when the car was new. Now it's a bit reluctant, both directions. Opening, it'll hang up about 3/4 of the way up, needs a push. Ditto going down.

 

i'm not sure either, but i don't mind a little experimentation, especially if someone else is taking the risk.

 

Not on the C there isn't.

 

good point, i looked at his vehicle and thought he was in the wrong forum.

 

The lift struts have no resistance adjustability.

Over time they may get easier, because their gas pressure will be leaking through seal or from the piston seal in the cylinder.
Yet that could take a year.

I would not add any oil to the shaft, just keep it clean.
If you did lubricate I would use a di-electric grease as to not ruin the shaft's cylinder rubber seals.

So....maybe best is to search the aftermarket for a bolt on closing strap so you have a better handle to grab when closing the gate.

Experimenting with aftermarket struts...hit or miss as to their pressure I suppose.
You'll just have to "hunt"...I can add some motorcycle steering dampeners (same concept) do have pressure adjustability...unless another co-member has some exact info/ findings.

Removing one strut...I wouldn't recommend that yet it is an option.

Good luck.

 

I doubt a single strut would support the weight of the hatch. One of the two struts on my Plymouth Voyager broke and I discovered just how very heavy those things really are. And that was with half of the lift force still being provided by the remaining strut.

 

Plus one strut only would stress the hinges?

 

buy weaker struts. if memory recalls, they're a standard part, pretty sure you can find some on mcmaster-carr...though do make sure you can swap them out with out a problem

 

This is where I purchased gas struts that had a shorter extended length so the hatch wouldn't hit low garage ceilings and beams:

Installation Tips Basic FAQ Menu

You can look for the recommended replacements for your oem struts and note the specifications, then search for a similar strut with a lower force, keeping the other parameters the same as the oem replacement struts.