D3 Bonnet Strut Failure?

[Rockylizard]

Gday...

I find it incredibly hard to believe this problem has occurred.

I last opened the bonnet of the D3 last Tuesday and all was perfect, bonnet lifted and remained in the open position while I puddled around checking oil etc.

This morning when I opened the bonnet it simply wants to lower as soon as I let it go. It is as if the gas struts that hold it up have BOTH failed simultaneously !!

Has this happened to others and is it simply that .... the gas struts simply fail completely instantly and simultaneously?

Cheers - John

[Graeme]

Perhaps 1 failed earlier and the other was able to do the job until it too failed.

[connock]

I had the same on my rear lift up window I purchased two new ones to find only one was faulty. So I'm guessing only one is gone, the bonnet would be very heavy if both were knackered. I still fitted both of cause and kept the good oldie for a spare.


connock

[sniegy]

Have replaced a few in the last couple of months & there is no Rhyme or Reason to the failing.(year models) You will find it is only one that has run out of gas:D but the other will not be able to hold the bonnet by itself. It probably good to replace both anyway as the other probably won't be far behind it.

Cheers

[bbyer]

Gday...
I find it incredibly hard to believe this problem has occurred.

I last opened the bonnet of the D3 last Tuesday and all was perfect, bonnet lifted and remained in the open position while I puddled around checking oil etc.

This morning when I opened the bonnet it simply wants to lower as soon as I let it go. It is as if the gas struts that hold it up have BOTH failed simultaneously !!
Has this happened to others and is it simply that .... the gas struts simply fail completely instantly and simultaneously?
Cheers - John It was about the same for me; one day last week all is well and next day, the bonnet will not stay up - it did not fall instantly but just sort of dropped not so slowly back down. In my case, I assumed it was the cooler weather -15C, warm of course compared to awhile back but still not the tropics, and that the temperature had finally done them in.

Bottom line was I installed new struts. Rather than the genuine LR struts, I installed Made in USA struts manufactured by the Stabilus company headquartered in Koblenz Germany. They are apparently an OEM manufacturer to LR and others.

The diameter of the new Stabilus struts was 18mm, whereas the diameter of the removed Land Rover marked struts was 15mm. I therefore presume LR has since 2005, uprated the struts. The new struts feel good and the bonnets lifts and closes very smoothly.

Gas Struts, Gas Springs, Dampers // Stabilus.com (http://www.stabilus.com/home/)

[CaverD3]

Replaced the rear ones on mine with ones from AutoBarn.

[Tote]

Mine failed in December, replaced with originals after the recharging man wasn't interested... so not uncommon it seems. Both struts had failed within a week of on another.
Regards,
Tote

[stewmair]

I bought aftermarket replacement off the web at a very reasonable price. Rimmers I think.

[bbyer]

Mine failed in December, replaced with originals after the recharging man wasn't interested... so not uncommon it seems. Both struts had failed within a week of on another.
Regards,
ToteI have not heard of recharging struts. Am I to presume at least in theory, the struts are repairable - perhaps not economic in the case of small struts, but at least possible?

[letherm]

I have not heard of recharging struts. Am I to presume at least in theory, the struts are repairable - perhaps not economic in the case of small struts, but at least possible?

I had struts on a previous car re-gassed once. It was on a very heavy tailgate of a hatchback type car. Had to get them to depressurise them a bit as they put too much gas in and it was actually too hard for SWMBO to close the tailgate. :p

[SuperMono]

I have also just had the total failure of 1 strut.
Replaced both with genuine LR parts, they weren't expensive (about $40 each).

350NM if you want to source replacements elsewhere.

The remaining original strut seems to still have the full 350NM available, I can't compress it by hand without the leverage and weight of the bonnet.

[Rockylizard]

Gday...

I had surfed the net and found prices that ranged from $98/pair up to $120/pair - plus freight/postage.

So I rang the local squealer and found they were $84/pair - genuine LR part (well the LR logo is on it :D).

So, the decision was made for me. Picked up the struts yesterday and fitted them this morning. The first strut replaced was completely cactus, but the bonnet remained open OK with one new one and one old one. However, as I had already bought two newies, I fitted both and now have an "OK" one for spare.

Thanks for the assistance.

Cheers - John

[bbyer]

I asked about purchasing just one strut based on one existing strut is probably still OK.

The feeling was that the struts should be replaced in pairs as the old unreplaced strut will continue to slowly lose pressure but as the single new good one will initially adequately hold the bonnet up, the unseen twisting forces on the bonnet will lead to eventual future concerns.