Liftgate strut brand advice, please

I got a cheap pair from Rock Auto many years ago. Work better than the original Toyota's that rarely fully opened the hatch.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

A good example of a part that even the cheapest aftermarket version is going to be higher quality... When you mass produce cars at scale, keeping costs down means keeping everything as cheap as possible. After market lift gate struts are so affordable, you might also consider getting struts for you front hood so you don't have to hold the hood up with the rinky-dink metal post...

 

I bought the Tuff Support ones listed on Amazon for $33.94 a set but haven't installed them yet. They're rated 4.1 out of 5 based on 36 reviews but there is some doubt about their durability.

 

I'm not familiar with Amazon's offerings of late but I remember back in 2014 someone posted a link on here to a company that built struts and you could get every possible length and diameter for really low prices, which makes DIY folks like me excited. Just wish I knew what happened to that link?

 

If the link below doesn't work search Amazon and use the terms "2007 Prius rear hatch struts". That should lead you to all the different brands they sell.

 

Lift Supports, Gas Springs & Gas Struts | Lift Supports Depot

 

I finally decided to replace those on my 2007 Prius. Here in Salt Lake City winters are much colder than those in Las Vegas. I requested a quote from the local dealer. Here was the quote: "Replace both rear hatch struts total cost $382.70 + Tax" Instead, I purchased this pair from Amazon for a total of $30.97:
"Partsam Qty (2) Rear Hatch Gas Charged Lift Support Struts"
Rated five stars by the six reviewers on Amazon. They arrived yesterday and I haven't installed them yet (waiting for a warmer day.)

 

That's why we call them stealerships and not dealerships... Some day when we have legitimate consumer protection laws that makes this a punishable crime there's alot of crooked people and businesses that will have to file for bankruptcy real quick...

 

UPDATE: The warmer day arrived . I installed the struts, which work just fine. The job took about an hour total (for this 85-year-old with arthritic fingers), with almost all of that time spent in removing the old struts. Installing the new ones was a snap (actually two snaps per strut).

 

I bought the Strongarm 4094 supports off of Amazon back in September ($39.90), finally replaced the shot out originals on my 2005. I like them, look well made and have lifetime limited warranty.

 

Pretty sure that's where I got mine years ago. At least 6-7 years ago and 100,000 miles. Still working perfect.

 

In 1/2019 I replace with Strongarm 4094 and they are now failing (after about 2 years). The manufacture says their warranty is only 1 year and I'm SOL (even though I see lifetime written on some merchant sites). The previous replacement was in 1/2017 with Balkamp 819-6638. They are failing every two years.

I'm buying them from Napa and Balkamp is a Napa subsidiary. What is weird is the 1/2019 purchase was for a Balkamp 819-7046 which ended up being a Strongarm 4094. The lift had much more pressure leading to a quick and forceful open. I was concerned it was putting stress on the hinges if you let go and have it "snap" fully open.

As egg_salad said, when I cross reference the SACHS SG329044 on Amazon it comes up with Stabilus. Amazon has some complaints about Stabilus not feathering to the fully open position (similar to my Strongarm 4094 complaint).

 

I'm not giving them a huge workout (I'm usually only opening the hatch for groceries and golf clubs) but after 2 full years the Tuff supports I linked to above are still working fine.

 

Tired of having my 07 hatchback land on my head.
Looking to replace my liftgate struts for the first time
Any updated info on brand and quality?
Also any advice on installation technique (or removal) that YouTube videos may leave out?
Thanks!

 

I’ve found the YouTube videos straight forward. The procedure is easy. I believe in the past I’ve used a larger screwdriver to gently pry off the strut as needed. I’ve tried various part manufacturers and for all they seem to work well enough. The struts are less forceful after about two years and will need to be replaced after 2+ years. I consider it a maintenance item. The OEM struts lasted longer but are more expensive. You will have to weigh that out.

Take your time when doing it the first time and you should be fine.

 

I put on some STABILUS 4B015513 from rockauto a while back. They work fine. Removal and installation is trivial. Eye protection when removing the little clip wouldn't be a bad idea, as it can fly off.

The one thing you might want to be careful of is to not let the hatch swing free to the upper limit of its range. This car frequently develops water leaks at the roof, probably in part from the forces of the hinges on the nearby seam. The static force once its open is probably safe (except in high winds), but the dynamic force when the moving hatch hits fully open is probably really hard on that seam.

Oh, also be careful the first few times the hatch with new struts opens. If you have been acclimated to weak struts the new ones may smack the hatch into your face.