Tailgate Won't Stay Up

[titelines]

Hi Everyone - Had a little problem surface last year, and it's starting again.

I have an Xterra, which has the type of rear door that you pull up on to open. It seems that when the temperatures drop, the door will open, but won't stay open/up.

The air, or whatever it is that keeps the door up doesn't have the "ooommmph" to keep the door up, so you have to hold the door open/up while you're doing whatever it is you're doing in the back of the truck.

It's fine in the warmer months, but started doing it again a couple weeks ago.

What can I do to fix this?

Thanks everyone!

[deadeye]

New lift struts will cure that. Expect to spend about 60 bucks give or take for a pair of those at the auto parts store.

I haven't even touched a Xterra before, but if its like every other vehicle that uses them, it should take maybe 15 minutes to replace them. Probably less time than that if its a ball/socket design and not bolted down.

[lindy rig]

Yep, deadeye is right. I had that problem on my Jeep cherokee. I just used a broom handle to keep the door propped open as I was in college and didn't have the extra cash.

Just buy new struts (the pistons)

[jeffreyd]

i have the same problem with my wifes magnum only on the engine hood. actually bought new struts today. easy to change

[zamboni]

Viagra

[Jeremy airjer W]

I haven no physical evidence to support this theory but I have always been told to close them slowly in the winter to help prolong there life.

[titelines]

Thanks for the replies everyone! Looks like I have another Thanksgiving weekend project! cool though - I'm tired of forgetting about this and getting smacked in the head by the door.

Thanks again!

[Ralph Wiggum]

$60? I was looking at replacing them on my Sequoia and they were nearly $300 a piece! No thanks! Can they be found aftermarket for that much cheaper?

[Jeremy airjer W]

I forget what year you sequoia is but I looked up an '04 on NAPA and they where about $40

[Ralph Wiggum]

I forget what year you sequoia is but I looked up an '04 on NAPA and they where about $40

It's an '01. NAPA, huh? Little bit cheaper that Toyota

[Jeremy airjer W]

Yup, the catch is they don't always fit like O.E. and sometimes need to be....... creatively installed! lol Most of the time they pop right in. I have had some that literally came with a bag full of bits and pieces that where supposed to make them work.