CGT Trunk release

[Scott Fisher]

--- duandcc_forums at cox.net wrote:
>  It acts
> like the struts don't have enough oomph to pop it,
> but I've been told the lock just releases and really
> doesn't pop the lid up. So, what's the deal? Any
> thoughts?

The deal is as Huw says -- the struts do NOTHING to
assist with opening the trunk.  If your lid USED to
pop with the old struts, that was because they were
the wrong struts.  Come to think of it, neither of my
Audi trunks pop when I release them (although all of
my other cars do).

The correct functioning of a CGT trunk lid:

1.  Open driver's door.
2.  Pull lever in door jamb.
3.  Walk back to trunk and lift lid.

During step 2, the only indication your trunk has
opened is that you should hear a metallic clunk from
inside the car.  There is NO visible sign that the
trunk lid is open.  I have stood behind my CGT's trunk
many times while another family member performs Step
2, and never have I seen the lid move -- I can HEAR
the latch release, but it doesn't pop upward.

Note that these three steps are identical in CGTs with
good struts, failed OEM struts, or struts physically
absent from the car (mine has been tested in all three
conditions).  All the struts do is help keep the lid
raised after Step 3.

I replaced my struts because our CGT was the family
car at the time, used for shopping and vacations, and
the guillotine-like sound of the lid crashing shut
made me fear for the safety of anyone or anything near
it.  Putting in new struts kept the lid from falling,
but made absolutely no change in the behavior on
opening the trunk.

I repeat: if your trunk used to pop, it was an
accidental side-effect of having the wrong struts.
It's not supposed to pop, it's not designed to pop,
and if it's not popping now, that's because it's
working correctly. :-)

--Scott Fisher
  Tualatin, Oregon
  '83 CGT with functioning trunk lid struts



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