E11 Boot Support Cylinders

[dvdmeister]

Hey everybody

I've noticed that the hydraulic cylinders that keep the boot open on my E11 facelift 5 door hatch are going quite rusty, mostly on the part that surrounds the point where the (shiny) inner piston part comes out from the outer cylinder (painted black with lettering on it in white), if that makes any sense.

So the questions are: is this a common fault, is it progressive (ie. will it spread and eventually stop the cylinders from working), and is it covered by Toyota warranty?

Cheers :)

[londoner]

Hey everybody

I've noticed that the hydraulic cylinders that keep the boot open  on my E11 facelift 5 door hatch are going quite rusty, mostly on the part that surrounds the point where the (shiny) inner piston part comes out from the outer cylinder (painted black with lettering on it in white), if that makes any sense.

So the questions are: is this a common fault, is it progressive (ie. will it spread and eventually stop the cylinders from working), and is it covered by Toyota warranty?

Cheers :)

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Mine are fine. Do your windows fog up real bad overnight? I can't think why else they have rusted so prematurely. What reg is yours?

[dvdmeister]

I don't think they fog up excessively, but the street I live (and park) on is quite highly cambered so maybe water is getting trapped because of that or something. Seems a bit crappy if it is because of that! The car is only 2001/Y so not that old really - at the moment its like spots of surface rust on the outer cylinder parts (black painted) with a concentration of heavier rust round the inner cylinders exit hole if you get what I mean. I'll have to ask the dealership about it when I get the car serviced I think!

[philjones1978]

Mine is a 98 3dr and the struts have rusted in exactly the same spot as yours. They no longer open the hatch automatically, you have to assist it up manually. Interestingly my car does get a lot of condensation. What does that mean?

[albi969]

Hello All

The struts on my 98 liftback are exactly as you describe ( rusty ), but still lift the hatch ok, although to be fair i have always helped up the hatch by lifting with my arms, on all hatchs i have owned, car doesn't seem to mist up excessively either

Regards

Albi

[hoho15]

mine are totally fine but i do get abit of condensation

[dvdmeister]

Hmmm wierd - I have to say this is the first car design that has the boot riser cylinders actually open to the elements and in a drainage channel (that I've noticed anyhows :) ), which I guess explains the rusting problem. Mine never seem to be actually wet though which is quite strange given that they are rusting!

I've been thinking about the misting up issue, and I've actually noticed my car tends to be one of the least steamed up in the mornings, but bizzarely, it steams up very readily when I'm driving it in even slightly moist conditions - I quite often have to have the AC on just to keep the windscreen clear even when I'm freezing! :)

[seancroudace]

My 2001 x reg is the same

Must be a design fault

sean