Here's a quick guide if you want to self-install die springs onto your boot / tailgate gas struts for automatic opening at the touch of a button.  This is a well covered topic across the forum but I haven't found much information on how to implement the modification. 

 

Below is a video which shows what will be achieved through the  embodiment of this modification:

 

What you need:

• Flat Head Screwdriver
• Pliers
• Ideally a vice
• Rag/towel
• A broom 
• 4 X  Metal Washers
• Die Springs - Red Die Spring ISO10243 - Heavy Load (Hole DIameter 20mm and Length 76mm)
• https://www.berger-tools.co.uk/R__Red_Die_Spring_Iso10243__Heavy_Load/

 

The link above is where I've purchased the springs from at a cost of £2.38 each, total cost incl postage £8.36

Step One

 

Open the boot and place the broom inside to support the boot so that it does not drop down when you have removed the gas strut. 

 

It doesn't have to be a broom, but that is the most likely thing you'll find laying around. 

 

Step Two

 

Using the flat head screw driver, you'll need to pry off the clips at either end of the ball joint/ pivot. 

 

Do this at both top and bottom joints on both gas struts. 

 

You will now be able to remove them from the vehicle. 

 

It is a good idea, once the struts are removed to remove the support and lower the tailgate to the close position, to prevent damage in the event that the support fails. 

 

Step Three

 

Carefully place the inner cylinder into a vice using some rag or a towel to protect it from damage.

 

Be careful not to close the jaws of the vice to tightly as you may damage the strut. 

 

You want it to be tight enough to prevent the inner cylinder from spinning. 

 

Step Four

 

Using pliers, twist the ball joint housing left to unscrew it from the inner cylinder. 

 

Step Five

 

With the ball joints housing removed you can now place one the springs onto the inner cylinder. 

 

I've placed suitably sized washers onto both sides of mine to give the spring more of a base to push off.

 

Once the spring is in place, re-screw the ball joint housing onto the inner cylinder tightly. 

 

Step Six

 

Refit both gas struts onto their respective ball joints, ensuring that the inner cylinder attaches to the tailgate and the larger outer cylinder attaches to the vehicle. 

 

The metal clips can be fiddly to get back on to the ball joint housing and I would recommend a pair of long nose pliers to help you with this. 

 

It is important that they go back on otherwise your gas strut is not secure and will come off. 

 

This is how it will look with your tailgate / boot in the near closed position.  You can see how well these springs compress. 

 

Notes

 

Noise - As the boot opens the spring will drop down the inner cylinder and makes a metallic bouncing noise.  This is not something that bothers me but could be a potential issue for some.  An easy solution would be to implement felt washers on either end to negate this. 

 

Force - Please bear in mind that with the springs fitted to the gas struts, they need to be compressed in order to work.  This means that you will need to force your tailgate/ boot shut.  The amount of force needed isn't excessive but does sometimes mean that you will need to place your hands onto the tailgate lid to shut it.  It also varies depending on the temperature, you'll find that in the summer it works perfectly but during the colder months the metal becomes more rigid and therefore has less stretch to open the tailgate. 

 

The image below shows how far down my tailgate now sits before it requires force to close. 

 

Height- Just be careful in low height areas such as car parks which may have lighting or signage above the vehicle. 

 

Rapid Spaceback - This will not work for the spaceback as the tailgate is much lighter than the model shown.  That't not to say that it can't be done, but the specification of die spring required would be different.  The process for fitting would essentially be the same. 

 

Ready Made - You can buy gas struts with the die springs already attached (see link below) for the price of £48 + £6 postage.  They look well made and have a larger ball joint housing to support the spring, including a restraint for keeping the springs stationary upon opening.  

 

Entirely down to personal choice but one method cost less than £ 10, the other costs £54.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/113725331347?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=113725331347&targetid=909180616022&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1006476&poi=&campaignid=10204071741&mkgroupid=105678537727&rlsatarget=aud-381667280803:pla-909180616022&abcId=1145987&merchantid=6995734&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsuP5BRCoARIsAPtX_wE0hSvzl9GB6QfT9IKJdfoqLJSq-Sj3h4hmybHp8P1Of1GbWwYIH0AaAvn6EALw_wcB

 

 

I need to do this with mine. Really annoying to open it otherwise.