Shop Dodge Durango Trunk Strut

Know When to Replace or Repair your Dodge Durango Trunk Struts

As a sports utility vehicle, the Durango has a cargo area at its rear that many people will call its trunk. This spacious storage area can be accessed by a door that opens upwards called a liftgate. It is able to do so as well as stay lifted overhead because of a pair of pneumatic struts. You might be among those who would affectionately call them Dodge Durango trunk struts, or you might call them liftgate struts, gas springs, or gas dampers. Whatever you call them, you'll need to know how to diagnose their symptoms correctly, so you can determine if you should attempt a repair or get a replacement. Otherwise, you might find yourself being hit in the head by the liftgate since it can't stay open on its own.

The liftgate quickly springs open or it closes slowly

Each time you open your liftgate, you're compressing the gas inside the trunk strut so that it stays up. Mineral oil dampens this movement so that the door doesn't open too quickly. If the liftgate starts springing outwards like a jack-in-the-box, then your struts have leaked out the oil. Conversely, if your liftgate starts closing slowly instead of staying up overhead, it could be because there isn't enough gas in the struts' chambers.

The dirty strut gave you a shiner

If your liftgate suddenly falls on you and gives you a shiny new bump on the head, then you're quite likely right to blame your dirty struts. If you haven't cleaned them regularly, they might have acquired a lot of dirt and grit over time. These added layers of grime make it harder for the strut to work properly. Cracks and scratches due to binder rod clamps might also break your trunk struts, so be careful when putting them onto your Durango.

The strut expanded and now it's stuck

If your trunk struts suddenly got stuck and you find it difficult to open or close the door, it could be because one of the struts expanded. You'll need to apply gentle force to it so it can compress back into its slider. Afterwards, you can remove this part easily and replace it with a new one.