Trunk won't stay up - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

jaybur_racing · 09-01-2008, 10:02 PM

Does anyone have any tips or tricks to get the trunk to stay open? My trunk is really bothering me! When I am trying to put things in my trunk it tends to close on me. do I need to replace a spring or some bars or something?

***new echo owner*** · 09-01-2008, 10:15 PM

You probably need some trunk supports, similar to the ones for the hood.

N.E.O.

***BMR*** · 09-01-2008, 10:29 PM

Mine did that too. There's a thread showing how to increase the preload on the torsional springs, but I can't find it. So here's how you do it:

Look in your trunk where the rear speakers are; you should see a couple of steel bars about a 1/4 inch in diameter. Those are the torsional springs. Follow those where they go into each side of the trunk; there's one on each side. Pull back the trunk liner (there are some plastic snap-in clips to remove), and you'll see there are three slotted holes, and the end of the spring is inserted into the middle one. What you need to do is move it to the hole that provides more preload. That's the one that's highest off the ground. There's a fair amount of tension on it, so get a good grip on it when you try to move it. I used a vise grip and an adjustable wrench.

jaybur_racing · 09-01-2008, 10:36 PM

I will do that tomorrow and post my results.

I am pretty sure that my trunk is not original, unless they always put a spoiler on a coupe?? The color matches, but I would think a spoiler would be on a better equipped model.

but the added weight of the spoiler probably requires more trension, and if the trunk was swapped from another coupe, then that is probably why the tension is the way it is (not enough)

Thanks!

***new echo owner*** · 09-01-2008, 10:47 PM

I guess I should have asked whether you have torque rods or trunk supports on your car.

Some of the spoilers were actually add-on installed by the dealers; Toyota used different torque rods or supports between the vehicles with or without spoilers.

N.E.O.

uibalnme · 09-01-2008, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by new echo owner

Toyota used different torque rods or supports between the vehicles with or without spoilers.

N.E.O.

I don't think so. there are 4 slots in either side of the trunk where the torque rods can be placed. Placing them in higher slots raises the tension to help them support more weight. The rods were placed in the lower slots if there was no spoiler, and in the higher slots if there was. The rods were all the same, unless I missed something.

The center trunk panel played a role in the slot selection as well. The different center panels did not weigh the same. i.e. gen3 DX/SE vs. gen3 LE/XLE vs. Gen3.5 (all). I beleive the gen3 LE/XLE panel was just slightly heavier than the other two. I'm not too sure, but I think that's how they are.

***BMR*** · 09-02-2008, 12:02 AM

The spoiler was standard on a Gen 3 SE, and optional on everything else. Gen 4's, I dunno. I'm not sure about the coupe. It might've been standard. If it came on your coupe (not added by somebody later), you might find your preload is already maxed out.

jaybur_racing · 09-02-2008, 08:50 PM

so my setting was in the center, and I moved it (by hand) to the highest level, and it helped a little bit, but not a lot. I am thinking of adding a 4th spot to the setting via a drill. Making the slot will be the toughest part, but shouldn't be too bad!

cykaaro · 09-03-2008, 04:57 AM

Been having the same issue with mine. It's not that it won't stay up, per say, but the wind can easily hit and and bounce it off the head. Only three slots on the '92 so moved it. We'll see how that works. I think to make another slot should be fairly easy. Use a drill and dremel and you should be able to do it without any problems.

***BMR*** · 09-03-2008, 10:25 AM

Yeah, cykaaro, mine was the same way. It'd stay up unless a breeze caught it and then it'd clunk me on the head. Mine doesn't have a spoiler, and with the preload maxed out it's about right, although I wouldn't mind a bit more. It doesn't surprise me that with a spoiler it would need even more.

lordstarwind · 09-03-2008, 10:33 AM

i dont have a problem with my trunk and i just added a spoiler :P it made it easier to open and easier to close due to the extra weight :/... i guess its a matter of opinion as to if you need to move the springs or not...

jaybur_racing · 09-03-2008, 10:34 AM

with nearly 340,000 miles, its not surprising that things don't work like new, but it would be nice if they worked better than they do!

my hood struts are only working if the engine bay is warmed up (from driving around) otherwise it will not stay up for me. I know its not too expensive to replace those with brand new even, but I'd almost rather have a hood prop rod, then you know its not going to come down if a gust of wind hits the hood.

I'm sure some struts could be added to the trunk to keep it open, civics use them, maybe I could swap a pair of those in.

my main issue with the trunk is that I park on a hill, so it won't stay up at all. If I am on a flat surface (and no wind, lol) it will stay up.

***BMR*** · 09-03-2008, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordstarwind

i guess its a matter of opinion as to if you need to move the springs or not...

Well, yeah, I guess you're right... If one doesn't mind getting whacked on the head when one's putting groceries in the trunk. Tends to piss me off, tho.

J/K!

cykaaro · 09-03-2008, 03:41 PM

Mine was fine........at least until I put the spoiler on. Struts are going as well on the hood, so they'll have to be replaced soon but not surprising since they're the originals on it from the looks of it.

jaybur_racing · 09-04-2008, 04:18 PM

well I got it working better, and it stays open now even on the hill where I park, but if a gentle breeze came by I think it would be enough to make it close on me.

I made my own "4th" setting in my trunk. I just used a 3/8 drill bit, and did not elongate the holes like the stock one were, no issues as is.