Trunk won't stay up, '99 Taurus

audi...@bellsouth.net

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Mar 23, 2008, 4:38:59 PM3/23/08

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The trunk lid won't stay in the up position. There are no trunk
support rods, only some kind of crossed torqued rods that run side to
side that are supposed to open the lid and keep it up. Can't find any
visual problem with crossed rods. Any clues out there?

Eric

Jeff

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Mar 23, 2008, 5:46:57 PM3/23/08

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The rods probably are gas charged and need to be replaced.

jeff

audi...@bellsouth.net

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Mar 23, 2008, 6:08:46 PM3/23/08

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On Mar 23, 5:46 pm, Jeff <kidsdoc2...@hotmail.com> wrote:

No, the rods are about 3/16-1/4" solid steel and hook into holders on
either side of the inside roof of the trunk.

Eric

clareatsnyderdotontariodotcanada

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Mar 23, 2008, 6:21:38 PM3/23/08

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On Sun, 23 Mar 2008 21:46:57 GMT, Jeff <kidsd...@hotmail.com>
wrote:

Torsion springs. Adjustable on some by moving to a different notch.

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Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Mortimer Schnerd, RN

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Mar 24, 2008, 4:36:30 PM3/24/08

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clare at snyder dot ontario dot canada wrote:
>>> The trunk lid won't stay in the up position. There are no trunk
>>> support rods, only some kind of crossed torqued rods that run side to
>>> side that are supposed to open the lid and keep it up. Can't find any
>>> visual problem with crossed rods. Any clues out there?
>>

>> The rods probably are gas charged and need to be replaced.
>>

> Torsion springs. Adjustable on some by moving to a different notch.

Both my 1989 and 2000 Taurus sedans had the notches on either side of the trunk.
I never had to adjust them but that's where it's done.

--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN
mschnerdatcarolina.rr.com

audi...@bellsouth.net

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Mar 25, 2008, 10:34:04 PM3/25/08

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On Mar 24, 4:36 pm, "Mortimer Schnerd, RN" <mschnerdatcarolina.rr.com>
wrote:

Tried moving the rods to the lower notches, no joy. I have a feeling
the rods were bent upwards somehow and they have to be removed and
straightened to make them work.

Eric

SC Tom

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Mar 26, 2008, 6:16:22 AM3/26/08

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Tried moving the rods to the lower notches, no joy. I have a feeling
the rods were bent upwards somehow and they have to be removed and
straightened to make them work.

Eric

My suggestion would be to check out one that works, either a friend's
similar car and set up or one at a junkyard, and compare yours to theirs. Or
maybe a Ford or other service manual if you have access to that, possibly at
the local library.

Good luck,
SC Tom

Don Byrer

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Mar 29, 2008, 11:07:22 PM3/29/08

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On Sun, 23 Mar 2008 13:38:59 -0700 (PDT), audi...@bellsouth.net
wrote:

I believe you need to move the torsion rods UP to increase the
tension...

Here's the procedure from the manual;

1. Open the luggage compartment door and note the pop-up distance.
The luggage compartment door should pop up 15-30 cm (6-11 inches) .
2. If the luggage compartment door does not pop up 15-30 cm (6-11
inches) , the luggage compartment door/tailgate hinge torsion bar
tension should be increased.
3. If the luggage compartment door pops open with more force than
is desired, the luggage compartment door/tailgate hinge torsion bar
tension can be decreased.
4. Support the luggage compartment door in the full open position
before adjusting the luggage compartment door/tailgate hinge torsion
bar. WARNING: USE CARE WHEN ADJUSTING THE UPPER LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT
DOOR/TAILGATE HINGE TORSION BAR OR LOWER LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT
DOOR/TAILGATE HINGE TORSION BAR AS IT IS UNDER TENSION AND COULD
SPRING OUT OF CONTROL IF NOT HANDLED PROPERLY.
5. To adjust a luggage compartment door/tailgate hinge torsion bar,
move the luggage compartment door/tailgate hinge torsion bar end to
another position (notch) to increase or decrease the tension.
6. Adjust one luggage compartment door/tailgate hinge torsion bar
and check the adjustment before adjusting the other luggage
compartment door/tailgate hinge torsion bar.
7. If proper adjustment can still not be obtained replace torsion
bars and repeat adjustment procedure.

Don Byrer KJ5KB
Radar Tech & Smilin' Commercial Pilot Guy
Glider & CFI wannabe
kj5kb-at-hotmail.com

"I have slipped the surly bonds of earth; now if I can just land without bending the gear..."
"Watch out for those doves...<smack-smack-smack-smack...>"