Weak hatch struts?

[EX35_bernard]

Opened the hatch today and almost bumped my head coz it didnt go all the way up as before. Had to push it up a bit more to fully open. Seems like the struts are a bit weak. Usually I support it about halfway and let go and it opens all the way up by itself.

Can people try theirs out and see if it will open all the way with minimal effort?

Nothing serious but I thought I'd asked before going to the dealer.

[Punjab]

i am having the same symptoms, i need to take my car in to the dealer for a few things as well. The struts appear to be losing their seal, they were fine in the beginning but not i have to open it more then half way.

[dividedhighw]

I don't think mine has faulty seals but I do have the same symptoms. With colder weather, all struts will tend to slow to a crawl when raising a hatch or trunk lid.

Then again, if your dealer is able to replace your struts with ones that work flawlessly no matter the temperature, please post the part number!!

Cheers,David

[EX35_bernard]

Hmm...forgot about the cold weather factor...yeah the temps here are approaching 0 deg C in the morning fast and will be in the negative soon. Maybe wait till spring/summer to observe again.

People on warmer climates this is your cue to chime in!

[Punjab]

I am in ohio and around 30-60 F but still have same symptoms... I would say that this is a manufacturing issue or just a under spec strut in use. I would say that the engineers should have taken temp in account for function.

[Mark Booth]

I'm in sunny Southern California and I open/close the hatch on my EX35 at least 4-5 times throughout the day. As early as 6:00am to as late as 10:00pm. As best I can tell, the struts are working just as they did the day I took delivery of the car.

Mark

[EX35_bernard]

I'm in sunny Southern California and I open/close the hatch on my EX35 at least 4-5 times throughout the day. As early as 6:00am to as late as 10:00pm. As best I can tell, the struts are working just as they did the day I took delivery of the car.

Mark

Hmmm...so it may very well be the cold temps here...unfortunately I won't be able to confirm till its around may-june

[EX-lover]

Same here in Toronto, never happened to my old Acura RSX hatch. I wonder if FX have the same problem in past winters.

[KJ911TT]

Same here in Toronto, never happened to my old Acura RSX hatch. I wonder if FX have the same problem in past winters.

My previous FX had the same problem and it was really bad in the winter. The dealer fixed it under warranty and it cured the problem.

- KJ

[EX-lover]

Thanks KJ911TT. I will mention it to the dealer at my next oil change. Just my curiosity, did you buy (and got it fix) from Markham Infiniti?

[KJ911TT]

Thanks KJ911TT. I will mention it to the dealer at my next oil change. Just my curiosity, did you buy (and got it fix) from Markham Infiniti?

It was Agincourt Infiniti at the time which I believe became Markham Infiniti.

- KJ

[chichi]

Recently noticed the same thing and hit my head. Dealer says the struts are back ordered but will replace under warranty. Also had the fuel pump replaced under warranty. Don't think the issue with the hatch is weather related.

*UPDATE*

2 weeks after getting the fuel pump replaced my vehicle still reeks of gas, less so now, but nevertheless still present. Dealership claims " no gas spilled "but note that the fuel pump is under the drivers seat and gas did spill when it was replaced. My front and rear drivers side rugs stink of gas. Service manager claims he can't smell it, ya, right. I guess I'll throw out my rugs and buy new ones hoping the issue is under the seat.

Secondly, I had the hatch struts replaced under warranty yesterday and the effect was worse than the originals. Bear in mind 6 Mos. ago the hatch lifted effortlessly, all the way up, slowly. First the service manger claimed to not see a difference (despite hiding his left hand and lifting while opening the hatch with his right ) I walked over to my loaner EX and it worked perfect and he still said he didn't see a difference. I said, ya, right, you wouldn't. He offered to PUT BACK MY OLD ONES or order another set. Obviously I asked for another set BUT what can I expect with them?

All in all, my EX has lost a bit of it's luster and I'm finding that Infinity Service managers are just like all the rest- hold the company line by being less than truthful/honest.

It just pisses me off...
Modified by chichi at 12:54 PM 12/3/2008

[njcu]

Hmmm...so it may very well be the cold temps here...unfortunately I won't be able to confirm till its around may-june

Leave it a while in a somewhat warm garage, then give it a try.

[chichi]

Back in the shop today for a 2nd set of hatch pistons. I'm anxious to see if they perform any better. I'm expecting that they should work as well as they did originally 1 year ago.
Modified by chichi at 10:59 AM 3/30/2009

[gloa2000]

Is this issue in any TSB's?

Modified by chichi at 7:43 PM 12/4/2008

They should, my struts started to act strange since late last night temp below 70F.

[EX35_bernard]

Recently noticed the same thing and hit my head. Dealer says the struts are back ordered but will replace under warranty. Also had the fuel pump replaced under warranty. Don't think the issue with the hatch is weather related.

*UPDATE*

2 weeks after getting the fuel pump replaced my vehicle still reeks of gas, less so now, but nevertheless still present. Dealership claims " no gas spilled "but note that the fuel pump is under the drivers seat and gas did spill when it was replaced. My front and rear drivers side rugs stink of gas. Service manager claims he can't smell it, ya, right. I guess I'll throw out my rugs and buy new ones hoping the issue is under the seat.

Secondly, I had the hatch struts replaced under warranty yesterday and the effect was worse than the originals. Bear in mind 6 Mos. ago the hatch lifted effortlessly, all the way up, slowly. First the service manger claimed to not see a difference (despite hiding his left hand and lifting while opening the hatch with his right ) I walked over to my loaner EX and it worked perfect and he still said he didn't see a difference. I said, ya, right, you wouldn't. He offered to PUT BACK MY OLD ONES or order another set. Obviously I asked for another set BUT what can I expect with them?

All in all, my EX has lost a bit of it's luster and I'm finding that Infinity Service managers are just like all the rest- hold the company line by being less than truthful/honest.

It just pisses me off...

Modified by chichi at 12:54 PM 12/3/2008

That sucks. I just learned to ignore mine or lift it up more. I think they undersized the struts to cut some costs. The hatch is actually very light I think its aluminum like the hood. Hopefully when the warmer weather shows up they will improve.

[EX-lover]

My dealer is ordering parts to fix the weak hatch struts, however the technician said the problem will probably come back in 6 months. WTF??? That is not really fixing the problem!!!!

[gloa2000]

My dealer is ordering parts to fix the weak hatch struts, however the technician said the problem will probably come back in 6 months. WTF??? That is not really fixing the problem!!!!

I guess Infiniti is still trying to force the strut contractor to work on the updated ones, they will start posting TSBs once they have stronger struts, until then they will be wasting money on putting ones which will go bad soon or later.

[mcube3]

My dealer is ordering parts to fix the weak hatch struts, however the technician said the problem will probably come back in 6 months. WTF??? That is not really fixing the problem!!!!

Hi EX-lover,

Did you bring yours to Markham Infiniti? I bring mine there for service and would be much easier to deal with them if they've worked on this before. My hatch struts are acting funny recently. I'm 6"1 and almost banged my head a few times thinking it opened fully.

Cheers,MCube3

[EX-lover]

Hi MCube3,

Yes, I brought mine to Markham Infiniti. It is a known issue for them. When i made my appointment for an oil change 2 weeks ago, i told them about the strut, they said they need to take a look first. If they listened and ordered the parts right away, i dont need to wait now and bring my car AGAIN later for replacement. I can spend my weekend on better things .

I am also 6" too, i know exactly what you mean about banging your head.

[dividedhighw]

Thanks for keeping the discussion going, guys - any further info on this (especially an actual TSB number) would be very much appreciated!

FYI, I'm just shy of 5'10" and have banged my head a couple of times (when hurriedly loading something into the back) ... clearly not life threatening, but annoying, just the same!

TIA!David

[gloa2000]

Thanks for keeping the discussion going, guys - any further info on this (especially an actual TSB number) would be very much appreciated!

FYI, I'm just shy of 5'10" and have banged my head a couple of times (when hurriedly loading something into the back) ... clearly not life threatening, but annoying, just the same!

TIA!David

im 5'9" and experienced life threatening head banging. I opened it fully with my hands and it slowly came down. OUCH!

[EXceptional]

Instead of all of us crying about how crappy our Struts are, we could wonder why the Infiniti just has 2 Gas Struts and the Nissan has a Power Hatch (which I know still uses Gas Struts) ?

Anyone who figures things should work at-40*C like they did at +40*C should maybe move to California.

I too noticed that my Struts didn't lift the hatch all the way, but in a few Months, it'll all be over... and Summer will be here again.

I'm willing to over look this little problem, because I haven't had a Leaky Sunroof, Crappy Fuel-Mileage, Tic-Tac Noise, Noisy Fuel-Pump, Broken Telescoping-Tilt-Wheel, etc... (except for a busted LDW Camera, which doesn't bother me either, cause I never use it).

Let the Flak begin.

[dividedhighw]

Instead of all of us crying about how crappy our Struts are, we could wonder why the Infiniti just has 2 Gas Struts and the Nissan has a Power Hatch (which I know still uses Gas Struts) ?

Anyone who figures things should work at-40*C like they did at +40*C should maybe move to California.

Well, I couldn't disagree more.

Using that same logic, you'd be OK then if the Music Box hard drive didn't spin and play properly just because it's winter?!?!! What other non-functional aspects would be "OK" just because it's too cold? Are there aspects you'd deem "OK" to be functionally degraded or inoperative also when it's too hot?!?!!

When a multi-billion dollar company like Nissan/Infiniti sells a car into the premium vehicle market, I think its buyers have a RIGHT to expect that the designs and components used will perform appropriately in ALL situations in which said vehicle can be commonly operated. If these cars are publicly available for sale (without any disclaimer) where -40 deg-C occurs, then it should perform at those temperatures, period.

I too noticed that my Struts didn't lift the hatch all the way, but in a few Months, it'll all be over... and Summer will be here again.

I'm willing to over look this little problem, because I haven't had a Leaky Sunroof, Crappy Fuel-Mileage, Tic-Tac Noise, Noisy Fuel-Pump, Broken Telescoping-Tilt-Wheel, etc... (except for a busted LDW Camera, which doesn't bother me either, cause I never use it).

That's great that you have such a magnanimous and forgiving nature. Too bad it wasn't just a little more developed - enough to stop you from disrespecting other viewpoints by characterizing it as "crying".

After all, nobody disrespected you when you suggested you wanted a Power Hatch (and now indirectly raising it again) ... it could easily have been said "Oh, quit whining about a Power Hatch - anyone who can't handle lifting the hatch should change their workout program or buy a vehicle with no hatch!"

Let the Flak begin.

Indeed - as requested.

Happy New Year, everyone! David

[EX-lover]

Instead of all of us crying about how crappy our Struts are, we could wonder why the Infiniti just has 2 Gas Struts and the Nissan has a Power Hatch (which I know still uses Gas Struts) ?

Anyone who figures things should work at-40*C like they did at +40*C should maybe move to California.

I too noticed that my Struts didn't lift the hatch all the way, but in a few Months, it'll all be over... and Summer will be here again.

I'm willing to over look this little problem, because I haven't had a Leaky Sunroof, Crappy Fuel-Mileage, Tic-Tac Noise, Noisy Fuel-Pump, Broken Telescoping-Tilt-Wheel, etc... (except for a busted LDW Camera, which doesn't bother me either, cause I never use it).

Let the Flak begin.

Good for you to be happy. When I saw my friend opened his 4 yr old, 28K Subaru hatch with one finger at 20 below, it is painful for me, i spend 20K more on my car, i expect a little more.

[dividedhighw]

I saw my friend open his 4 yr old, 28K Subaru hatch with one finger at 20 below

Good point - I have an '05 Subaru that does EXACTLY that!!

Cheers,David

[EXceptional]

When I saw my friend opened his 4 yr old, 28K Subaru hatch with one finger at 20 below...

I can open my Hatch with one Finger as well.

The same Finger I use to push on the little Button, lifts the Hatch all in one motion.

You must have some major Problems with your Hatch if you can't do that.

[EXceptional]

I'd like to meet the person who operates at 100% efficiency when they are outside during -40*C Weather... so why wouldn't you cut the Car a little slack ?

Oh yea... cause you paid $40 or $50 Grand.

If you had stronger, more powerful Gas Struts for the Winter, do you think you'd be able to close your Hatch during the Summer as easy as you do, now ? You'd be complaining that it takes 2 Muscles and 2 Fingers instead of one of each, to close the Hatch.

If my Hard-Drive turned a little slower cause it was really Cold out, I'd be OK with it... cause after-all, the Car's only been sitting outside freezing away... and it works fine after the Vehicle warms up. About the same time, your Teeth stop chattering, your Hard-Drive is up to operating Temperature.

With that same Logic of yours, you probably think you should have Seat Fabric and Dash Pad that some how stays Cool on a Hot Sunny Day while it's parked in a Shopping Mall Parking Lot. After-all, you paid $40-$50 Grand, why are the Seats and Dash hot to the touch... they should be cool 24 Hours a day, right ?

If you guys aren't able to cope with the sub-Zero Temperatures and how it affects Vehicles... then maybe you should move to a warmer Climate.

Happy New Year, David...

Dean
Modified by EXceptional at 1:26 AM 1/4/2009

[EX-lover]

Dean,

I am glad you are an easy person, to go along w/ the glitches in your car. I used to own a RSX, I never had any problem w/ it, my friend 's subaru deosn't have any problem w/ it, my brother's Matrix have no problem too.

Explain to me why only EX have this cold weather problem? I am not disappointed to the point where I regret buying this car. It is just annoying and painful (literally), and wish they can fix it permanently.

I have no intend to change your view on this issue, but i am here just to vent w/ the people who feel the same w/ me.

[Punjab]

Hmm... Lets be honest we can not defend the poor choice in hatch struts for the EX. if it fails or becomes less effective in 30* temp it clearly was not the right choice.. I believe that the real issue that myself and some other may be experiencing with the hatch not opening all the way. This then results in the possibility of getting a hatch to the face while loading items in to the cargo area. With that being said i believe that if Infiniti continues to ignore this issue it will result in injury and who knows what else.