Hi. Recently had my rrs back in for a warranty claim... again! During the visit I questioned if the rear tailgate gas struts are covered due to the tailgate failing to open fully ie it just opens and holds at wherever it's left. The service receptionist explained that the problem would be stiff hinges and brushed off answering the question of warranty cover. I've replaced plenty of gas struts on different tailgates to diagnose their failing but should they be covered by the landrover comprehensive warranty when I purchased the vehicle. Advice is always helpful. Thank you.

Mine were replaced twice under warranty and one more time after expiration (on my dime), to my dealer's credit during the warranty period they didn't attempt to explain or justify anything and just put new struts in. Cold weather seems to exacerbate the problem, BTW. Stiff hinges, huh? That's a pretty crafty explanation, although defective hinges should be covered by warranty as well, IMHO.  

Hiya, thanks for your quick reply. I will be chasing the matter up with regard to the gas struts. It was five mins to closing time when i picked up my car and felt like i had wasted my time. I'm starting to feel my custom has become second class following the initial purchase six months ago. Thanks again.

thanks for this post accyis - I had no idea that the tailgate should go all the way up on it's own.
Does anyone know if that applies to a 55 plate RRS SC? It doesn't have soft self-close.
My car is in the dealership tomorrow - for the dreaded knocking suspension. I will see what this dealer comes up with this time.

I cant tell you how many times I took our FL2 back to the dealers to be told by the service receptionist "thats not a warranty job sir" only for the guy she sends out to check on the car, to agree straight away that it is! FF 4.4 V8 Soooo looking forward to this bad boy
Ex 2006 RRS SC - garbage
Ex 2016 135i M Sport - dream car
Ex 2003 RS6 Avant - piece of cr*p
Ex 2014 320d X Drive, M Sport Touring - ok I guess
Ex 2007 RRS TDV8 - bloody loved it
EX 2007 FL2 XS - not so bad

zoo wrote:

- I had no idea that the tailgate should go all the way up on it's own.

Yes, it must.
If yours dosen't then the struts need to be replaced or you can try a strong dose of Viagra!  Malaysia Boleh!
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When it gets cold the gas reduces in volume, the oil contained within the gas springs also increases in viscosity
leading to the springs becoming less effective. If the hinges are tight they need changing under warranty!
If you do need struts www.strutsdirect.co.uk list them for just about everything.
If you have any problems let me know
p.s. Noticed L.Rover not listed, Just fill the form in if you need some

Last edited by mrloudly on Wed Feb 10 2010 9:30am. Edited 1 time in total

Hi. Brilliant response, thanks. Whilst i'm dealing with this i've always wondered if the the tailgate should be soft close. Mine is an 05 model and i recently test drove a 2010 model which had this. It got me thinking maybe it's something i should be getting repaired under warranty? Or will i look foolish if the 05 model was never designed to do this? All info welcome. Thanks.

Soft close is produced by adding more oil to the cylinders. As you extend the unit the internal piston metering holes have to pass through oil rather than gas thus slowing the action. More oil will increase the force at full deflection as it reduces the initial free volume of gas. It's all about gas laws and I don't mean CORGI

Isn't the soft close due to the power striker? Malaysia Boleh!
4.2SC Chawton White, Stormers
Tasmod's Sills, Wind Deflectors, LR Sills
Clear Side Repeaters, Towbar
Larini Sports Exhaust, K&N Air Filter
______________________________
WINNER - 2008 'Tech-Head Of The Year' Award
WINNER - 2009 Outstanding Contribution
WINNER - 2009 'Tech-Head Of The Year' Award

cracked my head on the tailgate today because it opened slowly and I beat it to position "A"  purple people eater

There are no good days, just some days that are not as bad as others!


Gone RR 4.0 P38 Autobiography MY99 Red ( money pit)
Gone RRS MY06 2.7TDV6 HSE Rimini Red
Gone RRS MY10 3.0TDV6 HSE Bali Blue with lots of bits (never grew to love it)
Here Now - 3.6 TDV8 FFRR OVERFINCH Stornoway Grey - loving it x
My work car Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDci Zetec auto Estate in Silver

Also as it's a 2005 car check that the bolts holding the struts have not come loose or sheared, there was a problem and TSB for very early RRS and D3 where the struts were able to come loose. 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

Accyis - thanks again for posting this thread. The dealer has confirmed that my struts are being replaced under the extended warranty. I would never have even been aware that the tailgate wasn't a "push-up exercise" had I not seen your post.
At last, this particular dealer has also identified the suspension knock, and more importantly - is acting upon it.

can someone clarify exactly how it opens 'by itself'? is this you pushing the lock button in, then with no further action it lifting itself to the full open position? or do you have to guide it to 'horizontal' with your hand, then it will take it to full open?

and by soft close do you mean the last inch or so, the mechanism that closes it slowly? or is soft close from full open?


thx

RRSBoy,

You are right in your understanding. No auto-open just a normal tailgate that rises on the struts once past the mid-way point. With the soft-close, you are correct in that the last 1cm or so gets pulled in by a motor so as not to have to slam it.

Please forgive me as I'm at home and don't have my technical info, however I'm 99% sure that soft-close came on 2008my.

James