P38 Rear Tailgate Gas Struts Removal & Refitting

anorakmark · May 7, 2012

Hi all,
Just a quick bit of advice required please if anybody can assist.
I need to replace the rear tailgate gas struts on my 1998, P38 2.5 DSE.
I have the new pair ready to be fitted but want to know if there is a special technique required for changing them or any special tools required.
I'm looking at the new ones and it appears to be a plastic ball socket either end with some sort of metal clip.
Any advice would be great please

as I don't want to end up snapping something through my error.
Thanks Guys & dolls in advance

stemac33 · May 7, 2012

Tools needed:-
1 flat blade screw driver
2 broom handle

prop tailgate with broom handle. shove screwdriver under meal clip and prize off.put a bit of copper grease in the sockets on the new strut and push onto ball. You might have to prize the metal clip up a bit to get them on.
Hth

The Mad Hat Man · May 7, 2012

yu missed the "spend an hour trying to find metal clip"

stemac33 · May 7, 2012

Too true. put your hand over metal clip and catch it

anorakmark · May 7, 2012

Thanks all for your advice, will have a go tomorrow.

gencybay · May 7, 2012

The ball joints just pop out and bang back in. It must be p1ss easy because I managed it without reference to anything. I am thick and deal with paperwork.

G~

bigsmellydaddy · May 8, 2012

I just unscrewed the ends and refitted without having to take the ends off.

davef2901 · May 9, 2012

It's a nice jod that stops the tailgate coming down on your head and making you irritable!

JD · May 9, 2012

stemac33 said:
prop tailgate with broom handle.

This bit is quite important, holding it up with your head while you change the struts is a bit fiddly and I'm now a few cm's shorter!

TCubed · Dec 1, 2012

Best place to buy these? Anywhere better than Island 4x4?

West Slope Rover · Dec 1, 2012

Here's a handy video on the process. He's speaking Merkin, but I think you'll understand the important stuff.

Tailgate Strut Replacement: Instructions for Range Rover P38 - YouTube

kevwill · Dec 2, 2012

TCubed said:
Best place to buy these? Anywhere better than Island 4x4?

B&Q is good for broom handles.

Island 4x4 or fleabay for struts (I went with Island 4x4 - not expensive).

Saint.V8 · Dec 2, 2012

This is who I used...

RANGE ROVER P38 TAILGATE GAS STRUTS (TWO) - wapsipurtlandrover

(No affiliation)

TCubed · Dec 2, 2012

Thanks Saint

Out of interest, anyone know the expected lifetime of these? Will mine be originals from 11 years ago?

Saint.V8 · Dec 2, 2012

TCubed said:
Thanks Saint

Out of interest, anyone know the expected lifetime of these? Will mine be originals from 11 years ago?

No doubt original....my 9 year old L322 tail gate strust still work but are getting weaker....

Datatek · Dec 2, 2012

TCubed said:
Thanks Saint

Out of interest, anyone know the expected lifetime of these? Will mine be originals from 11 years ago?

Good ones will last 10 to 15 years depending on amount of use, Land Rover ones as long as the warranty

sandyt · Dec 3, 2012

Struts ha I replaced the whole tailgate with struts for 50 quid mind you my youngest broke the rear windscreen in the original but a nice cheap easy fix

martynv8 · Dec 4, 2012

Replaced mine with struts from island 4x4. I cant say i noticed any big improvement though. Is the tailgate supposed to lift on its own once released, i still have to manually lift mine with the new struts? They just stopped it dropping down on my head all the time.

Datatek · Dec 4, 2012

martynv8 said:
Replaced mine with struts from island 4x4. I cant say i noticed any big improvement though. Is the tailgate supposed to lift on its own once released, i still have to manually lift mine with the new struts? They just stopped it dropping down on my head all the time.

You are supposed to lift it you lazy bugger

kevwill · Dec 4, 2012

martynv8 said:
Replaced mine with struts from island 4x4. I cant say i noticed any big improvement though. Is the tailgate supposed to lift on its own once released, i still have to manually lift mine with the new struts? They just stopped it dropping down on my head all the time.

I'll have yer old struts! Sounds like they were ok.
With new struts fitted it should automatically glide up, load your shopping, and heat your seats in winter.

P38 Rear Tailgate Gas Struts Removal & Refitting

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