2011 LX570 Rear Liftgate not lifting on its own

[BorderCruiser]

Hello,

My wife DD's an '11 Lx (91k miles) and informed me the other day that the button for the rear liftgate doesn't seem to work anymore to raise the top half of the cargo access. I've always just manually opened and closed it but obviously she is used to the convenience.

So sure enough I tried both the button on the dash and the key fob. With both attempts it beeps, opens maybe 1/2" then closes itself again. I didn't think to try it, but she said it still closes with the button but seems like the motor isn't wanting to lift it anymore. I've tried searching on here and on the www. but nothing relevant seems to pop up for me. I'm usually a do it yourself'er and very much so with my 100 series, but all the electric motors in the Lx kinda freak me out.

Has anyone else had experience with this? Or if my search skills lack and someone can point me to the correct thread it would be much appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

 

[terdrocket]

Sounds like you need to replace the gas struts. Do a search. Others have had similar issues and fixed it on the cheap.

 

[grinchy]

Yep it’s about 30 min and $40. Thread around here somewhere.

 

[Docboy]

Yup. Gas struts.

A few months ago I bought a nice hi quality cheap pair off Amazon for <$40 to replace my struts that only open halfway by itself, but I can't get the OEM struts to come off. The nuts/bolts are darn tight. If you figure out how to get off the OEM struts, please let me know, as my current aftermarket struts sit in the garage in its Prime box.

 

[BorderCruiser]

Thats great news, I was having nightmares about buying and replacing the motor in there. I'll order some and get it done. Thank you all for the help!

 

[grinchy]

@Docboy hers’s The walk thru. You’ll need a few more tools. They can be reused in the car for other jobs, and they are small.
You need a torx, I think 30 might be 25. I got a full set of these in sockets for $20from Amazon.
You need a 1/4 inch drive mm socket set with handle and extension. This is like $15. The 4mm to 14mm set.
Use the open end wrench in the toolkit to loosen the lower end, but leave it attached. Stick a board ladder or buddy under the hatch to hold it up.
Use the torx bit to loosen the trim that is obscuring the two upper bolts. There is also a plastic stud in the trim, use a flat screwdriver to pop it out. It will probably break off. No big deal, it’s just to aid in locating the trim so the assembly line can screw it on faster. You don’t have to take the trim all the way off, just loosen so it can be pushed out of way.
Use the socket and extension and wrench to remove the two upper bolts.
Remove the lower bolt and there’s the strut.
Screw in the lower ball.
Replace the upper bolts and tighten. Rotate the strut arm, lift the hatch slightly and pop the spring cup on.
Tighten everything. Tighten the torx on the trim.
Repeat on the other side.

 

[Docboy]

@Docboy hers’s The walk thru. You’ll need a few more tools. They can be reused in the car for other jobs, and they are small.
You need a torx, I think 30 might be 25. I got a full set of these in sockets for $20from Amazon.
You need a 1/4 inch drive mm socket set with handle and extension. This is like $15. The 4mm to 14mm set.
Use the open end wrench in the toolkit to loosen the lower end, but leave it attached. Stick a board ladder or buddy under the hatch to hold it up.
Use the torx bit to loosen the trim that is obscuring the two upper bolts. There is also a plastic stud in the trim, use a flat screwdriver to pop it out. It will probably break off. No big deal, it’s just to aid in locating the trim so the assembly line can screw it on faster. You don’t have to take the trim all the way off, just loosen so it can be pushed out of way.
Use the socket and extension and wrench to remove the two upper bolts.
Remove the lower bolt and there’s the strut.
Screw in the lower ball.
Replace the upper bolts and tighten. Rotate the strut arm, lift the hatch slightly and pop the spring cup on.
Tighten everything. Tighten the torx on the trim.
Repeat on the other side.

Thanks. This should help the OP out too, sorry didn't mean to hijack his thread.

I'll take a pic of the tools I got, and post it up when I get a chance in a few days to check my tools align with what you wrote. I bought a few tool kits from Home Depot which I swore had all the bits/sockets I need. Now I'm not so sure.

 

[BorderCruiser]

It definitely is helpful. I ordered the struts off amazon last night for $40. Supposed to be at my door Thursday. Hopefully I can get them on before my wife leaves town Thursday afternoon. Again, thanks for the help everyone.

 

[Docboy]

It definitely is helpful. I ordered the struts off amazon last night for $40. Supposed to be at my door Thursday. Hopefully I can get them on before my wife leaves town Thursday afternoon. Again, thanks for the help everyone.

Great. If you can, please post pics of the tools you used and some of the procedure showing the struts taken off and placed on.

 

[grinchy]

Here's the tools.
T25 1/4 socket, 12mm 1/4 socket, 1/4 extension, 1/4 driver, 12mm open end wrench, flat blade screwdriver

 

[ranma21]

Or pick up one of this. I used it for the first time 2 days ago to remove the rear mud flap which uses torx screws. I have torx bit but can’t use it with screwdriver, not enough clearance. You can use this with ratchet, fast and easy.

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