'09 and '10 EX35's .. Hatch opening?

[kamiguy]

I have an '08 and even after the hatch struts were replaced, cold weather stops the hatch from opening more than halfway, and must be manually lifted to completely open. Are newer owners experiencing the same thing?

[jamesstock]

My '10 hasn't done it 'yet' knock on wood!

But could it be the 'dirt' that got built up overtime at the struts hence affecting the 'lift'?

[kamiguy]

No, not dirt... it was fine all summer and fall, then when the cold snap hit it fails to open all the way. There was an older post about this in the '08 days and just checking now to see if the newer models are trouble-free!

[Richard Y]

HI. I have a 2008 EX. I have had my struts replaced once (full warranty, no cost to me), and frankly, before the end of my 3 year bumber to bumper warranty, I may ask for them to be replaced again. It seems the struts are simply not strong enough for the weight of the hatch. Good luck!

[Jason Tucker]

I have an '08 and even after the hatch struts were replaced, cold weather stops the hatch from opening more than halfway, and must be manually lifted to completely open. Are newer owners experiencing the same thing?

Kamiguy...don't know where you live but I experience the slow moving hatch when it gets cold...like here in WI. Must be some fluid they use in the struts that gets thicker with a drop in temp...it's fine in the summer. Anyway thats what it feels like to me when opening the hatch...yup it does suck...but love my EX!

[kamiguy]

I have an '08 and even after the hatch struts were replaced, cold weather stops the hatch from opening more than halfway, and must be manually lifted to completely open. Are newer owners experiencing the same thing?

Kamiguy...don't know where you live but I experience the slow moving hatch when it gets cold...like here in WI. Must be some fluid they use in the struts that gets thicker with a drop in temp...it's fine in the summer. Anyway thats what it feels like to me when opening the hatch...yup it does suck...but love my EX!

Western Canada.. where we are getting January weather in November! So it seems Infiniti hasn't changed struts.. sad when my wife's lowly Pontiac Vibe hatch opens fine in all temperatures!

[SteveTheTech]

Maybe the hinges need some wd-40 or other penetrating oil. Spray it in there and open and close the door a few times to work it in.

[KJ911TT]

No, it happened to my EX and I had the struts replaced and when the cold weather hit this year, the problem came back.

The gas in the struts is under lower pressure in the cold which causes it to lose it's "lift".

This is not as obvious on brand new struts, but the EX struts lose their strength fast.

Their quality is pretty crap IMO. I had the same problem on my FX45. Seems like Nissan/Infiniti use a crappy supplier.

- KJ

[PolarDog]

My hatch is actually falling closed. It will not remain open. Been replaced once already. Been told not to lubricate. Much pressure required to pull open at all.

[SteveTheTech]

:

I've only seen a few issues on the old QXs, but those had very heavy doors and an automated motor system in addition to anti pinch and closure monitor system. The EX uses a much smaller,lighter, and composite hatch but struts can get weak. With nothing but a partial closure motor weighing down or complicating the door it should make sense that a set of struts should fix this.

I know as a tech I have replaced several sets of struts in several vehicles for all types of reasons and I have not seen many return after proper replacement. They can indeed fail for several different reasons but the results are the same. However I find repeated failure interesting.

Has anyone called CA about this yet?

[jirbas]

My '08 has the same problem. It seems that temperature afects the operation. I have a MPV van and never had a problem. I've tried lubricating the shaft, but no luck. It is hard to lift the door.

btw what is 'CA'?

[kamiguy]

I am thinking Consumer Affairs..