The boot on my Fabia Estate won't stay open any more. Presumably the hydraulics need attention - is this something a keen amateur can tackle or do I need to contact the (gulp) Main Dealer?

You can get replacement struts from lots of places (including eBay: Cheapest new non-OEM pair I could find right now) and they are a pretty easy DIY job with minimal tools.

I suspect that refurbishing the existing ones would not be cost effective.

Don't ask me the specs for your struts - I don't have access to that info, but I'm sure others on this forum will be able to help you on that one.

The two gas struts need replacing part number 6Y0827550C, fairly east to do.

Edited 4 January, 201214 yr by freelanderman

I'm sure others on this forum will be able to help you on that one.

The two gas struts need replacing part number 6Y0827550C, fairly east to do.

Nice one freelanderman - not to say 'I told you so', but...

Two remove all you do is lever the little black clip at each end of the strut out a little with a small flat screwdriver. Then the strut simply can be pulled off the ball-joint underneath. Replacement will LITERALLY just click in - no tools needed. I could have offered you two struts at a reasonable price but I only have hatchback ones. I am sure the estate struts are a bit longer?

Thank you very very much to all those who replied - I have never been on a forum before and was amazed at the speed and accuracy of the responses!

Have purchased a pair of replacement struts on ebay and will look forward to fitting them asap!

Once again, thanks to all.

Yours,

Kat

This shows how you lever off the clip. To be honest if you're chucking the old struts, you might as well lever until the clip completely pings off. But if ever you wish to refit, there is a halfway point the clip sits whilst releasing the ball stud beneath

Just a quick word of warning... make sure you have someone hold the boot hatch up whilst you replace the struts - they are damned heavy and you don't want it crashing down on you mid-replacement...

Having just changed the struts, I found there's no need to semi-release the spring clips on the replacement units - the struts just clip into place.

 

If you attach the narrow end first, it's easier to slightly rotate the larger end (if needed) when you are trying to get it to clip in.

Just a quick word of warning... make sure you have someone hold the boot hatch up whilst you replace the struts - they are damned heavy and you don't want it crashing down on you mid-replacement...

or a large prop   if you don't have a third hand

or a large prop   if you don't have a third hand

Does it have to be a prop? I don't know any props, but I do know a couple of flankers if they could do it instead?