03 m45 Trunk Strut/shock install Burtman Industries

[DRIPS]

Just completed the install of the burtman industries universal trunk strut install. Very easy. Well worth the small price and excellent service from Jason Burtman. here are the instruction I used from him...

1. Remove loose items/trunk net/trunk mat(s) from trunk2. Remove foam inserts (3) and cardboard tire cover3. Remove the 6 clips using a blunt-edged panel popper4. You now have access to the canister side of the strut, at the base ofeach trunk lid hinge.5. Remove the rear seat base - there is a round finger tab at the center ofeach side. Pull out on the tab and up on the seat base and the side willrelease. Make sure the seat belt receivers and seat base hooks (at the rearof the seat base) clear.6. Remove the bolt at each corner of the seat back towards the bottom farright and far left corner. Use a 10mm socket.7. Pull down the center armrest and carefully pull down the liner behind,exposing the wire support structure and two 10mm nuts. Remove the two 10mmnuts.8. Lift the seat belts around to the back of the seat back so they clear,then lift the seat back up (off of its mounting rests) and away from therear deck. BE CAREFUL when removing this from the car - take it out in onefell swoop and do not bang it against anything, as the backside had lots ofexposed metal which will scratch whatever it contacts (old installer talkinghere).9. You now have access to the rod end of the struts. In each corner of thecar at the base of the deck, under the big chunks of insulation, you willfind them. Use a broom handle to firmly support the trunk lid, and then usea pick tool to release the clips on each ball end on the struts. They willcome right off after that.10. Apply a little thread lock to each end of the new struc, then set thenew rods' ball ends to be the correct length and position by comparing tothe old strut. Install. They will snap on easily.11. Reinstall the seat and trunk liner parts accordingly.

They work like a charm. Trunk is a little harder to shut, but this isobviously part of the tradeoff with this particular solution.

[DELUNASC]

How far does your trunk lid pop open after the install, does it open up all the way, or just enough so that it does not automatically close itself? How much were the new struts/

Thanks, CD

[GJEMD]

mine seem to be temp dependent. Above 50 degrees fine. aren't these warranty items ?

[DRIPS]

opens fully...all the way to the top and is very firm. definately recommend this install. These are warranty items I believe, but these are better than the stock pistons.

[peter_rabbit]

if possible can you post some pics...would like to see the work afterwards

[CakeDaddy]

if possible can you post some pics...would like to see the work afterwards

Here is a video:http://www.burtmanindustries.c...k_kit

I have one new burtman strut for sale. 40$ shipped with docs. One strut popped the hood approx 8-10 inches if I remember correctly.

[Sazar]

I am interested in this if you have the full kit available.

Please PM and I will send details to you and let me know preferred method of payment.



Thanks much.

An aside question, will dealer install this part? I don't mind don't the work but, if the dealer can install at a minimal cost, I don't mind that.

[DRIPS]

I doubt they will install this. Its a 25 minute job for any DIYselfer.

[GJEMD]

Here is a video:http://www.burtmanindustries.c...k_kit

I have one new burtman strut for sale. 40$ shipped with docs. One strut popped the hood approx 8-10 inches if I remember correctly.

Cake, Strut still for sale?

[CakeDaddy]

Cake, Strut still for sale?

Yes, I still have it. Remember its only one strut. Email me at [email protected] and we can work it out.

[Jason B]

For those that don't know,

See these links:

Q45

http://www.burtmanindustries.c...k_kit

M45 http://www.burtmanindustries.c...k_kit
Modified by Jason B at 6:06 PM 12/10/2008

[Jason B]

There is also a video on the site.

[DRIPS]

Its been a year since this post- trunk is still as great as it was at the first week I installed these. THanks BI!!

[Sazar]

Does anyone have any extra struts for sale?



If not, I'll check and see if I can buy from the website.

Thanks

[Bag302]

FYI: I bought two 15" 90lbs struts from Napa for about $20 each. Still working great after almost a year.

When I get home, I will get the exact part # for the struts. (It may have been 80lbs - I forget)

[F1SportsFan]

FYI: I bought two 15" 90lbs struts from Napa for about $20 each. Still working great after almost a year.

When I get home, I will get the exact part # for the struts. (It may have been 80lbs - I forget)

I'd be interested in this, thanks for posting up the part number when you get it.

[Bag302]

Here are the struts I used. They've been working great for over a year.http://www.napaonline.com/NOLP...84537They were only $20/ea when I bought them at the store. Price is higher online for some reason.
Modified by Bag302 at 10:27 AM 12/10/2008

[dmeak]

Did the Napa struts open fully similar to the ones Drips purchased?

[szh]

Did the Napa struts open fully similar to the ones Drips purchased?

I would be surprised if that is case! The Burtman Industries unit is designed to fully open ... unlike the stock ones from Nissan Infiniti and I suspect that the NAPA ones are like the stock ones.

But, hey! I could be wrong (has been known to happen. )

Z

[F1SportsFan]

Here are the struts I used. They've been working great for over a year.http://www.napaonline.com/NOLP...57135

They were only $20/ea when I bought them at the store. Price is higher online for some reason.

Unfortunately this is all I see when I click the link:

Can you post up just the part number?

Also, do you have any video / pics of the trunk opening?

[Bag302]

The NAPA Part number is BK. 8195625It is stronger than stock and opens the trunk fully at a nice smooth rate. Not too fast. Trunk is also easy to close.

I believe the specs of the struts are 9"-15" operating range and 80 lbs of force.

I updated the link. hope it sticks.http://www.napaonline.com/NOLP...84537

[striz923]

so do you just directly replace the struts that are there now, simple bolt-off/bolt-on then it opens fully?

BTW the link doesnt work, you have to go to the "partsPRO SE" catalog on the lft side then type in the part number.

[Bag302]

Yep. Direct replacement. I didn't even have to remove the back seat. just some long needle nose pliers and a flashlight. Oh, and a hockey stick to hold the trunk open. Do one side at a time.

[szh]

Do one side at a time.

Darn good advice!

Z

[haywood69]

I just found a guy named Mike: rv-trader at c l e a r w i r e dot net. He sent me two 15" 80 lb. struts that popped right on. Took less than an hour. Trunk works better than with OEM struts. $32 delivered for two struts. Awesome!