I have a 1997 850 GLT liftback and the rear door cylinders no longer work so that the rear door won't stay open on its own. I am about to purchase the replacement parts (they are called either door lift cylinders or miniature shocks or gas springs) but I don't know how to install them? The existing cylinders seem difficult to get to ...does anyone know how to replace them?

Thanks,
MG

 

This is a comprehensive step by stepwith pictures:

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/cha...light=tailgate

 

I've done them. They are not hard at all, but you do need some directions to get started. The shocks are actually up in the ceiling which kind of surprised me.

 

I did it too. Wasn't that hard, but pushing the new ones on was somewhat painful. I bought mine from FCP Groton. The instructions linked here says they should be easy to push on. Maybe this is the difference from cheap parts and original Volvo parts. The parts I got were branded "FCP Groton".

 

I have now done four cars,mine and 3 for a mechanic friend. Volvo parts on two and 'others' on two. The Volvo parts did go on much easier. I checked the length of one of the 'others' against Volvo and found them to be just over a quarter inch longer and the sockets were slightly smaller. I managed to force them on with an adjustablepipe wrench.

I have now found a company in the UK that will re-gas the old ones for a fraction of the cost of new Volvo units so they will get trade from my friend in future.

For UK members: http://www.sgs-engineering.com/gas-s...gas-struts.php. I don't know about shipping to other countries.

 

Stabilus (German) is the OEM, I bought a pair at PepBoys.

Funny, I found identical rods (Stabilus) in the airplane (A330 & A340) lavatory doors.


JPN