Trunk opening slooowly --- due to cold?

bmwexecutive · 12-11-2006, 01:17 PM

I think I'm starting to believe what ///Matt said about my car being a rebel is true.

The two suspension piece things (not sure what they are called) that open the trunk once releasing the lock and pushing upwards have been acting up lately. For two days the trunk would take a long while to open itself up so I usually just pushed it all the way myself. I figured I'd take it into the dealer to replace those two "suspension" tubes. Got there and it worked just fine.

Yesterday, it came back. It opens slow as hell and I got to thinking maybe it does this because of the cold because as far as I can remember the only times it opens slow is when it is cold out (50 degrees and below cold). Is this normal?

Should I just go to the dealership on a cold day then and have them replace the two parts? They clip on and off so it's a 2 minute swap assuming they have the pieces. And it would be covered under warranty I'm assuming.

canucklion · 12-11-2006, 01:22 PM

I don't think it's the temperature, for the past week or so, the temeperature here has been below freezing (< 30F) and the trunk works fine

maybe not enough lube?

djordje · 12-11-2006, 01:29 PM

same problem here, the trunk opens slow, and im sure its due to cold!

Alpine · 12-11-2006, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djordje

same problem here, the trunk opens slow, and im sure its due to cold!

+1 Very slow trunk, and I think it only started when it got cold. Is it possible for the lube to freeze?

Stronie · 12-11-2006, 01:36 PM

+1 Mine too... I keep it in the garage and it still opens only 75% of the way. Should I take it in?

doublearon21 · 12-11-2006, 01:44 PM

the suspension tubes you guys are refering to are gas-charged struts, just like the ones that hold the hood up, it has nothing to do with any kind of lube. What happens is in the cold the pressure in the tube is lower than when it is warm, hence they push up slower. It is the same as cold tires having a lower PSI than warm tires, which is why tire manufacturerers recommend checking tire pressure after the tires have been warmed up.

s4iscool · 12-11-2006, 01:56 PM

same problem here.Might lube the stanchions and clean the seals

- Paul - · 12-11-2006, 01:59 PM

Off topic but
"which is why tire manufacturerers recommend checking tire pressure after the tires have been warmed up."

I always thought the pressure was supposed to be checked with cold tyres???

SoYank · 12-11-2006, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doublearon21

the suspension tubes you guys are refering to are gas-charged struts, just like the ones that hold the hood up, it has nothing to do with any kind of lube. What happens is in the cold the pressure in the tube is lower than when it is warm, hence they push up slower. It is the same as cold tires having a lower PSI than warm tires, which is why tire manufacturerers recommend checking tire pressure after the tires have been warmed up.

Actually, tire manufacturerers recommend checking tire pressure when the tires are cold, i.e., before being heated by the flexing of driving.

BK · 12-11-2006, 02:04 PM

Yes, the recommended PSI is always cold tire pressure. BTW, no slow trunk issues here that I've noticed, even in the cold.

bmwexecutive · 12-11-2006, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doublearon21

the suspension tubes you guys are refering to are gas-charged struts, just like the ones that hold the hood up, it has nothing to do with any kind of lube. What happens is in the cold the pressure in the tube is lower than when it is warm, hence they push up slower. It is the same as cold tires having a lower PSI than warm tires, which is why tire manufacturerers recommend checking tire pressure after the tires have been warmed up.

But isn't the recommended PSI pressure on the door jam for cold pressure?

bmwexecutive · 12-11-2006, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BK

Yes, the recommended PSI is always cold tire pressure. BTW, no slow trunk issues here that I've noticed, even in the cold.

In that case, when I go in on Thursday to pick up my Glovebox Organizer for iPod I'm going to get them to give me a new set of struts to install on my trunk.

vAnt826 · 12-11-2006, 03:57 PM

Thats weird, my 330i Sedan never opened itself. It just popped and you had to manually push it up like the 335i Coupe does.

Am I missing something?

bmwexecutive · 12-11-2006, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vAnt826

Thats weird, my 330i Sedan never opened itself. It just popped and you had to manually push it up like the 335i Coupe does.

Am I missing something?

No, we're saying that you pop the trunk and then push up and then it should go all the way by itself.

FirstClass · 12-11-2006, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwexecutive

In that case, when I go in on Thursday to pick up my Glovebox Organizer for iPod I'm going to get them to give me a new set of struts to install on my trunk.

New struts won't do anything. Its the cold most likely.

txusa03 · 12-11-2006, 07:44 PM

Maybe and just maybe because you are a clean freak and you clean up all the lube on the trunk hydrolic hinge. Do you remember wiping down grease/lub near and around the hydrolic hinge?

Driv3r · 12-11-2006, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txusa03

Maybe and just maybe because you are a clean freak and you clean up all the lube on the trunk hydrolic hinge. Do you remember wiping down grease/lub near and around the hydrolic hinge?

Thats really what i was thinking....

Hawkshaw · 12-12-2006, 07:11 AM

Mine was opening slowly last week too, I think due to the cold, and is opening even more slowly now due to the recent added weight of the OEM spoiler.

Minor inconvenience though, I tend to push it all the way up with my hand anyway.

txusa03 · 12-12-2006, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwexecutive

God damn. Give it a fucking rest. I'm really getting sick of this childish bullshit from you. I'm clean about my car. Period. No I did not clean up any grease around the struts. I'm not a freakin' idiot.

Just chill dude, no need to get all worked up (you are only throwing gasoline into the fire)...I am just brainstorming possible causes. Another possibility is that I remember you stored alot of detailing items in your trunk so my guess is you open your trunk alot and use your trunk alot which could lead to premature wear on the hydraulic and strut. I don't have anything in my trunk nor use it alot. I like to keep my car light weight. gl.

edit: and remember, the front hood also have a similar hydraulic strut as well, did you check the hood to see if it open slow during cold temp?

Josh49 · 12-12-2006, 07:24 AM

One quick thought would be that the fluid in the dampers (if there is fluid in the dampers) becomes less viscous at the colder temps. When you experience this problem, maybe you could try to heat up the dampers with a blow dryer and see if the situation improves. If it is the same, it's probably the hinge and is a bearing or lubrication problem. If it improves, than it's probably just the strut. I have noticed my trunk being a little slower on the opening lately, however, it's been pretty cold here lately. About what temps are you noticing this at?

canucklion · 12-12-2006, 07:27 AM

good point!

Quote:

Originally Posted by txusa03

and remember, the front hood also have a similar hydraulic strut as well, did you check the hood to see if it open slow during cold temp?

s4iscool · 12-12-2006, 09:06 AM

that front strut isnt there to "raise" the hood. Its tere to support it once its lifted. Can it raise it on its own? Sure, but its notmade to do that.

The rear is diff, there are two so that the deck can be raised after its given a nudge. Mine is slow too, and its been over 50 here lately, and still slow. I lubed the hinges and the stanctions and no difference.

12-11-2006, 01:17 PM	#1
bmwexecutive Banned 241 Rep 2,453 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: East Coast iTrader: (4)	Trunk opening slooowly --- due to cold? I think I'm starting to believe what ///Matt said about my car being a rebel is true. The two suspension piece things (not sure what they are called) that open the trunk once releasing the lock and pushing upwards have been acting up lately. For two days the trunk would take a long while to open itself up so I usually just pushed it all the way myself. I figured I'd take it into the dealer to replace those two "suspension" tubes. Got there and it worked just fine. Yesterday, it came back. It opens slow as hell and I got to thinking maybe it does this because of the cold because as far as I can remember the only times it opens slow is when it is cold out (50 degrees and below cold). Is this normal? Should I just go to the dealership on a cold day then and have them replace the two parts? They clip on and off so it's a 2 minute swap assuming they have the pieces. And it would be covered under warranty I'm assuming.
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12-11-2006, 01:22 PM	#2
canucklion pull my finger to get your kinder® surprise 148 Rep 10,455 Posts Drives: circles around you Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (9)	I don't think it's the temperature, for the past week or so, the temeperature here has been below freezing (< 30F) and the trunk works fine maybe not enough lube? __________________
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12-11-2006, 01:29 PM	#3
djordje Private 6 Rep 69 Posts Drives: 335d Msport AW Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bulgaria iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 320d [0.00]	same problem here, the trunk opens slow, and im sure its due to cold!
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12-11-2006, 01:36 PM	#5
Stronie Major 314 Rep 1,453 Posts Drives: 2017 F80M3 Comp. 6MT Join Date: May 2006 Location: Instagram: @Atlantis_S55 iTrader: (0)	+1 Mine too... I keep it in the garage and it still opens only 75% of the way. Should I take it in?
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12-11-2006, 01:44 PM	#6
doublearon21 Enlisted Member 2 Rep 45 Posts Drives: Soon to order space gray 335, Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Grand Rapids, MI iTrader: (0)	the suspension tubes you guys are refering to are gas-charged struts, just like the ones that hold the hood up, it has nothing to do with any kind of lube. What happens is in the cold the pressure in the tube is lower than when it is warm, hence they push up slower. It is the same as cold tires having a lower PSI than warm tires, which is why tire manufacturerers recommend checking tire pressure after the tires have been warmed up. __________________ The Land of the Free...Because of the Brave.
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12-11-2006, 01:56 PM	#7
s4iscool Major 26 Rep 1,138 Posts Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Neccos iTrader: (2)	same problem here.Might lube the stanchions and clean the seals
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12-11-2006, 01:59 PM	#8
- Paul - Major General 697 Rep 7,308 Posts Drives: see above. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Yorkshire, UK iTrader: (5) Garage List 2005 320D SE [10.00] 2005 645 [9.00]	Off topic but "which is why tire manufacturerers recommend checking tire pressure after the tires have been warmed up." I always thought the pressure was supposed to be checked with cold tyres??? __________________ My Photos
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12-11-2006, 02:04 PM	#10
BK Smiling politely 165 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	Yes, the recommended PSI is always cold tire pressure. BTW, no slow trunk issues here that I've noticed, even in the cold. __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
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12-11-2006, 03:57 PM	#13
vAnt826 Major 63 Rep 1,417 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Seattle iTrader: (3)	Thats weird, my 330i Sedan never opened itself. It just popped and you had to manually push it up like the 335i Coupe does. Am I missing something?
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12-11-2006, 07:44 PM	#16
txusa03 Major General 550 Rep 6,563 Posts Drives: TS330iPPSP6MT Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Planet Earth iTrader: (3)	Maybe and just maybe because you are a clean freak and you clean up all the lube on the trunk hydrolic hinge. Do you remember wiping down grease/lub near and around the hydrolic hinge? __________________ under construction!
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12-12-2006, 07:11 AM	#18
Hawkshaw Major 100 Rep 1,013 Posts Drives: X3 xDrive28i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Fredericton, NB, Canada iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Mine was opening slowly last week too, I think due to the cold, and is opening even more slowly now due to the recent added weight of the OEM spoiler. Minor inconvenience though, I tend to push it all the way up with my hand anyway. __________________ Paul
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12-12-2006, 07:24 AM	#20
Josh49 Major General 252 Rep 6,664 Posts Drives: E90 325xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (33)	One quick thought would be that the fluid in the dampers (if there is fluid in the dampers) becomes less viscous at the colder temps. When you experience this problem, maybe you could try to heat up the dampers with a blow dryer and see if the situation improves. If it is the same, it's probably the hinge and is a bearing or lubrication problem. If it improves, than it's probably just the strut. I have noticed my trunk being a little slower on the opening lately, however, it's been pretty cold here lately. About what temps are you noticing this at? __________________ E90 325XI, MYSTIC BLUE ON BLACK/ALUM, STEP, NAV, PDC, CWP, XENON, SIRIUS, ALARM, MUD GUARDS, CLEARBRA, CHROME GRILLS AND TIPS, VALENTINE 1 (HARDWIRED), HO CERAMIC 40%, 161'S, REAR FOG MOD, LUX 4.0, BLACKLINES, OEM PEDALS, MTEC FOGS, GRUPPE-M REP INTAKE. 156'S AND RUBBER MATS FOR THE WINTER.
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12-12-2006, 09:06 AM	#22
s4iscool Major 26 Rep 1,138 Posts Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Neccos iTrader: (2)	that front strut isnt there to "raise" the hood. Its tere to support it once its lifted. Can it raise it on its own? Sure, but its notmade to do that. The rear is diff, there are two so that the deck can be raised after its given a nudge. Mine is slow too, and its been over 50 here lately, and still slow. I lubed the hinges and the stanctions and no difference.
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