Got a rant with a technical aspect to it here...!

Having read over a few previous threads relating to people looking to install automatic lifters on their boots to open fully from remote, it seems that this has been looked at before, but I wanted to check...

The gas struts on the boot of my 2002 1.2 Active Stilo seem a little weak for the task (might just be my opinion) in that the boot is horizontal before they take over and start providing any lift. Anywhere lower than this, and gravity kicks in - SLAM...!!!

Now, I've gotten used to this, and support the boot when closing. This means I drop it from maybe six inches, and let it close itself (gives a lovely, soft, reassuring "thunk", and latches beautifully). Others, however, expect the struts to provide resistence to the closing action, which means they apply force to the boot lid from it's fully upright and open position - what generally happens is that the door runs away from them under it's own momentum once gravity kicks in, and leaves me cringing from the bang...!!!

Does this sound normal, or should I look at maybe replacing / reconditioning the struts?

If the struts sound suspect, any clues as to how to sort them would be great...

If this is normal, can someone tell me where I can get warning signs printed up for my boot...?!?

WARNING - OWNER ONLY TO OPERATE!!!

or

WARNING - BROKEN!!!

or maybe

WARNING - ANAL TO55ER OWNS THIS - HANDS OFF!!!

When my rear window was broken I had to open and close the boot probably a hundred times or more to try to disslodge the glass in the panels. The boot has felt loose ever since and it comes crashing down if I don't hold onto it. Even at six inches above the catch it still makes a hell of a bang and feels very heavy compared to what it did before the window was broken It makes very small marks in the corners of the bumper wich need constant touching up. I oversee every shutting of the boot now, for some reason it takes my wife more than one go to shut it as she don't want to shut it hard, which is good of her but the constant banging is just as hard to take sometimes

Evening All,

I'd agree with koa mine feels heavy and i have to support it all the way down. i drop it from about 3 inches and it closes perfectly but i to have the small marks at either side on the bumber where the boot lid recess is:bang:

Why do Fiat have problems making things fit properly????????

Anyway rant over, i'm off to work,

neil

Granted its not a stilo buts its a stilo grandparent... My boot is pretty heavy for the last foot or so... I dont the struts have ever supported the boot on Fiats the way that you expect.

Yep mines way too easy to slam, i support it all the way down and close it gentley but my mates tend to not realise and it gets slammed

Oh and doors - especially by people who dont own a car

Ive noticed this on my Stilo to where the boot lid is and it has scratched some of the paint of the bumper. It seems as though the boot isn't aligned properly.

Stan..