Trunk freezing?!

Silver09 · 12-20-2016, 06:01 AM

This is my first winter with my Z here in jersey and for the last two weeks my trunk has not been able to fully open. Press the button and it pops up slightly like it should but i can't lift it any higher. I'm assuming it's freezing since it's 15-30 degrees here. It opened one day after work but that's it. Anyone have this problem and can offer some tips.

Chan Chee Hoe · 12-20-2016, 06:17 AM

Hmmm...Just guess,maybe the washed your Car,when the Car is still wet,you leave it outside overnight...?

POS VETT · 12-20-2016, 06:39 AM

Try lifting the hatch while the lock is disengaged.

Dirk McGurck · 12-20-2016, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS VETT

Try lifting the hatch while the lock is disengaged.

This. In the cold the struts don't push it up enough. Best bet is to press the button while lifting the hatch. Eventually you can work out the timing to do it all one-handed.

I cleaned my struts and oiled them, that helped a little. Other option is to dig out the counterweight Nissan put in the trunk lid.

kenchan · 12-20-2016, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS VETT

Try getting a winter beater

crazy4oldcars · 12-20-2016, 12:35 PM

If I'm opening mine one-handed, I have to "double clutch" it. Push the button, lift up a little, push it again, and it opens all of the way. The weather doesn't make any difference in the process.
If I have both hands free, I can open it in one go, but that's not usually the case.
I could pull the weight out, but then I'd probably get a rattle. I figure I'll just deal with it. It's usually not a major issue.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

CoreyS84 · 12-20-2016, 05:55 PM

I've had this happen twice so far. Weather wasn't a factor. Hoping it's not a sign of something more expensive to go out later... =\

SouthArk370Z · 12-20-2016, 06:22 PM

IIRC, there is a TSB to replace the "buttons" (the black rubber nubs on each side of the hatch that give it a little push to assist opening) with ones with longer/stronger springs.

Or add a couple of nickels inside the boot. There is more than one DIY on this site.

EZT · 12-20-2016, 06:25 PM

Take the panel off the back of the hatch and remove that little "weight" inside it. This will help with the hatch opening when you push the button. The gas I believe expands inside the struts the colder it gets so it will be a bigger strain on them during the winter months.

crazy4oldcars · 12-20-2016, 08:39 PM

Nope. Boyle's law says gas shrinks as temperature decreases. Because physics.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

EZT · 12-21-2016, 04:24 PM

Well I knew it was one or the other lol

Ventruck · 12-24-2016, 12:48 AM

I know I've seen that nickel trick posted, but did anyone find any improvement with Z1's struts?

kenchan · 12-24-2016, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ventruck

I know I've seen that nickel trick posted, but did anyone find any improvement with Z1's struts?

i didnt know u can physically fit nickels in dere..

12-20-2016, 06:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
Silver09 Base Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: New Jersey Posts: 34 Drives: 2009 6spd Rep Power: 9	Trunk freezing?! This is my first winter with my Z here in jersey and for the last two weeks my trunk has not been able to fully open. Press the button and it pops up slightly like it should but i can't lift it any higher. I'm assuming it's freezing since it's 15-30 degrees here. It opened one day after work but that's it. Anyone have this problem and can offer some tips.

12-20-2016, 06:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	IIRC, there is a TSB to replace the "buttons" (the black rubber nubs on each side of the hatch that give it a little push to assist opening) with ones with longer/stronger springs. Or add a couple of nickels inside the boot. There is more than one DIY on this site. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

12-21-2016, 04:24 PM	#11 (permalink)
EZT Track Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Gainesville Posts: 546 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 315	Well I knew it was one or the other lol crazy4oldcars likes this.

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12-20-2016, 06:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
Chan Chee Hoe Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Singapore Posts: 861 Drives: 370z,Yellow,7sp A Rep Power: 17	Hmmm...Just guess,maybe the washed your Car,when the Car is still wet,you leave it outside overnight...?

12-20-2016, 06:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
POS VETT Track Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 612 Drives: Z34\|C4LT4\|C6Z06\|V25 Rep Power: 3366	Try lifting the hatch while the lock is disengaged.

12-20-2016, 12:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
crazy4oldcars Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: SE Texas Posts: 448 Drives: '16 Nismo Tech Rep Power: 28413	If I'm opening mine one-handed, I have to "double clutch" it. Push the button, lift up a little, push it again, and it opens all of the way. The weather doesn't make any difference in the process. If I have both hands free, I can open it in one go, but that's not usually the case. I could pull the weight out, but then I'd probably get a rattle. I figure I'll just deal with it. It's usually not a major issue. Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

12-20-2016, 05:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
CoreyS84 Base Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Clovis, NM Posts: 23 Drives: '16 370Z Touring Rep Power: 9	I've had this happen twice so far. Weather wasn't a factor. Hoping it's not a sign of something more expensive to go out later... =\

12-20-2016, 06:25 PM	#9 (permalink)
EZT Track Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Gainesville Posts: 546 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 315	Take the panel off the back of the hatch and remove that little "weight" inside it. This will help with the hatch opening when you push the button. The gas I believe expands inside the struts the colder it gets so it will be a bigger strain on them during the winter months.

12-20-2016, 08:39 PM	#10 (permalink)
crazy4oldcars Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: SE Texas Posts: 448 Drives: '16 Nismo Tech Rep Power: 28413	Nope. Boyle's law says gas shrinks as temperature decreases. Because physics. Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

12-24-2016, 12:48 AM	#12 (permalink)
Ventruck Track Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: California Posts: 785 Drives: '13 Sport+Touring M6 Rep Power: 22898	I know I've seen that nickel trick posted, but did anyone find any improvement with Z1's struts?