Replacing the electric tail lift gas struts on a Volvo XC60 2012

[@chillcarshols6689]

Hi Andy, I’ve just done the same job on my 2012 XC60 today, I replaced the right hand strut, put it all back together, then manually pushed the boot down, I then locked the doors and then unlocked the doors, then I pressed the boot open button on the remote key and it’s worked fine, tested continuously afterwards, and it fully opens and closes as new! I think the trick is to manually push the boot down when done 👍

[@LeonMorris-u4x]

2013 Volvo XC60 with intermittent boot problem, so had to manually open/close boot until one day...LHS strut bent...whilst on family holiday...Brilliant! After Volvo quoted £1,200 to fix this I Saw this video and read comments from others about what to do after reinstalling new and now the boot is all sorted, with no more intermittent problems. Thank you @junkendriver and everyone that put some additional advice.

[@junkendriven]

Nice work!

[@DavidMincher]

Brilliant, thanks Andy. I did the job today and replaced both struts following your guidance. I did tie a string to the electrical connection before I pulled it through which helped in feeding the new one back in. I also took the whole plastic cover off and the rear cover which eased access. Once I’d done the replacement I manually closed the boot as it had been recommended elsewhere, then opened it on the boot switch which was successful. Crossed fingers and a rabbit’s foot then pressed the close switch and…..it worked a treat. Cycled through a few times to prove it wasn’t a fluke and am now dead chuffed I fixed the problem and saved many quid too. Thanks for giving us all the confidence to have a go.

[@brianloomis]

Perfect, replaced my left one in 5 minutes after watching this, and avoided a big bill!

[@junkendriven]

Great news, did yours work ok? I've never solved my issue as I suspect I need an update from a Volvo dealership to update the rear control module.

[@JasonOSullivan-v7j]

Thanks - just managed to replace a broken strut by watching this video!!

[@junkendriven]

Great news, did they work fine straight away? Unfortunately I've still not had my module updated so still no luck with mine working properly

[@dougplatt2507]

Cheers mate....I'll need to go to Volvo for the Reset,but saved a good amount of money by replacing the struts myself....

[@tommy27usa]

Hi Andy! I had the same inital problem with the tailgate almost 4 years ago, after having the struts freeze during the winter. I have replace both L & R struts and working well since, except, they don’t fully open, seem to stop around the position where the old struts used to fall down to. I was never able to recalibrate them, seem that they need a new software installed by dealer 🤦‍♂️ I found your video because the release switch no longer works and i’m trying to troubleshoot it… i hate electronics!

[@junkendriven]

Hi Tommy, ah yes seems a few people have done the same and swapped the struts and have similar issues, they don't recalibrate on their own. Just to add, my car was in the dealership recently and had a full software update, that STILL hasn't got them working (I didn't specifically ask them to look as I know it'd cost me!) so there must be something specific needing reprogrammed. If I ever find out I'll post back. Good luck sorting your release switch

[@anttitoivonen9762]

Hi, I have done the same strut change to skoda superb 2017. In manual they say "after installation, close the tailgate manually (just push it down) so that the system can initialize". Hope this helps🤷🏼‍♂️

[@dvs615]

Mine has the same problem but my right one is manual strut , whilst my left one is motorized..is it possible to replace both with motorized strut/hydraulic? Thanks (Xc60 T5 2011)

[@rajivlaroia1441]

Manually open the tailgate all the way. Then press the ‘close button’ on the tailgate for 5 seconds to reset the limit.

[@junkendriven]

Hiya, Unfortunately that doesn't reset the limiter after replacing the struts, that's to reset the upper limit/stop point (Can't remember if I showed attempting that towrads the end of the video, but confirmed that doesn't solve this issue unfortunately)

[@zzoinks]

My power window on my 2006 Volvo used to have an issue with the auto up feature , it was not sure how far to go up and went too far up, then detected an "obstruction" and automatically went down. I saw a KZbin tutorial where somebody said something like take out the fuse for the power window at the moment it fully closes but before it starts to go back down, and then put the fuse back in and this recalibrates the power window's "up" position. So now it works perfectly! I wonder if there's some trick to recalibrating the tailgate this way , and in any case I wonder if you could take it to the local Volvo mechanic because they probably have the vida software and they're likely a lot cheaper than the dealer. (If VIDA is the necessary fix)

[@Robertsmith2100]

Hi Andy, Two questions: Can I replace the electric struts with old-fashioned gas struts? I saw another video with original Volvo parts where no calibration seemed to be required. Is it the non-OEM strut that causes the problem?

[@junkendriven]

Hi Robert, thanks for commenting, yes replacing with typical hydraulic is fine so long as they can support that heavy boot! I've seen people replace with OEM and face similar issues, it's down to a software update that needs applied to the boot module which I believe mine hasn't received which is why the limits are causing problems. Unfortunately it's a Volvo only software update so far I've been unable to resolve. You may get lucky but it's hit and miss unfortunately

[@Robertsmith2100]

@@junkendriven Hi Andy, after a bit more digging, it does seem that it doesn't matter whether you have OEM or after market parts. You will still need to get Volvo to update your software, and even they may have problems. One other person I found had to go back multiple times. I've decided to go with manual gas struts (EUR25 the pair, delivered) and save EUR400+. It's an old car after all.

[@moodyshooty]

So mine had an issue where if i press the button it would go up but when I press the button to go down it didn't. After a few months of manually pushing it down now when I press the button for the lift to go up, it stops about halfway and only goes up a couple inches at a time before stopping and I have to forcefully push it up. When going down, it's even worse, as I'll push it and it'll just stop and I have to muscle it down. Assuming since one of the struts failed the system thinks there's "something in the way" and being difficult? Any advice? You think it's probably just the 2 strut replacements? I have a 2012 XC60 R Design

[@junkendriven]

Hi, I think I have similar after replacing both struts. I suspect the ECU still thinks there is too much resistance from the motors and think there is an obstruction so mine still does this after many months with the same issue. I think it needs reset or a re-learn using Volvo software which I've not been able to resolve

[@moodyshooty]

@@junkendriven if you remove the fuse in the trunk then you can do it manually without any resistance. I’ve given up on this car tho, already selling. One of the worst purchases I’ve ever made

[@junkendriven]

Ohh, really, I love the car, find it a really comfortable easy drive but yes the boot lift problem really bugs me! I might try popping the fuse to use it manually

[@budj7898]

Also I suspect the issue is that you need to replace the other strut too. The gearing is probably different and it doesn't like the difference between the 2 hence why it keeps stopping

[@junkendriven]

Thanks, yes in future video I show that I've also replaced the other side and unfortunately this hasn't solved the issue. Same issue stands to this day as I've not solved it. I suspect I need Volvo diagnostics (Vida) to reset/re-learn the new struts.

[@budj7898]

@@junkendriven interesting. Volvo ones are ridiculously expensive and not sure if I should risk it on cheap struts! Thanks for the info

[@junkendriven]

Yes and I'm not sure if the Volvo ones will have the same issue. From what I've researched after fitting new ones the ECU had to be told to re-learn the feedback the motor experiences as that's how it detects a jam or object so I'd guess even Volvo genuine would have that issue.

[@blueskinkitchen9708]

​@@junkendrivenHi Andy, have you managed to fix it? Thanks!

[@budj7898]

Can I ask where you got the replacement? Seen a few on ebay that are alot cheaper than used volvo ones!

[@junkendriven]

Hi, I bought these ones - www.ebay.co.uk/itm/333520180373 but as per video they don't totally solve the issue.

[@arnaudtherin7457]

I have the same problem and about to buy new struts, did you manage to recalibrate the new struts in the end.

[@junkendriven]

Hi, unfortunately not, I still have the same issue where it stops. I suspect it needs Volvo Vida reprogramming

[@pascalbienvenu1360]

@@junkendriven from what I have read in VOLVO officail site, you can try to push more than 3 seconds on the button with a tailgate icon, while you are in the upper most position of the tailgate; this is supposed to re-memorize the higher position, then when you try to use it normally the tail should now open up the this position. hope this will be successfull exercise .

[@kharali3475]

Hi mate, have you covered a sensor by any chance? Re check the trims might not be sitting flush

[@junkendriven]

Hi Khar, the XC60 doesn't use sensors as such (optical or pressure), it uses feedback from the electric motors to sense if any resistance, that's how it can sense and detect an obstruction at any height or position. There is a known software patch from Volvo for this very issue, but as usual, dealer only solution. Follow up video is out soon! Thanks

[@greffeljr]

Hello Andy Have you had any luck fixing this issue?

[@perrys9872]

Mine gas spring just broke in half when I calibrated so strange never happened how is this possible?

[@junkendriven]

That's so odd, what happened did it pop out the end? How did you do the calibration on it, using Vida?

[@perrys9872]

@@junkendriven I did it how it described on the website for the Volvo XC60 2012 Open the back Put it in the position Pres the button for 3 seconds in than release Press once and Tadaa it was working again.. After the second try to see of it fixed it broke in half a fcking blast 💥

[@junkendriven]

Ah ok, so yes that sequence sets the limits. That only works when the software has already had the update, unfortunately mine hasn't so it won't recalibrate. It does sound like a defective part though, I'd try and get it returned as faulty

[@perrys9872]

@@junkendriven can I also only change the left side with the same original Volvo gas strut ? And than again recalibrate?

[@junkendriven]

I have a feeling that won't work as the two struts have different tolerances, so may not work. I did try that on mine at first, replaced one then the other but I think mine wouldn't work for other reasons