Sagging tailgate

[Aggrieved]

The tailgate on my 2006 E class Estate is losing the will to stay open and slowly sagging. Can anyone advise whether this is a simple fix or something more serious please.

 

[EmilysDad]

new gas struts required assuming it doesn't have the option of powering closed

 

[V6Matty]

The gas struts are likely past their best these days, you can replace them but not exactly and easy job, not impossible mind just a real PITA

 

[EmilysDad]

https://www.sgs-engineering.com/car-boot-tailgate/mercedes/e-class/filter/boot_or_tailgate/estate

 

[EmilysDad]

.... but not exactly and easy job, not impossible mind just a real PITA

I've found that replacing gas struts to be a fairly straight forward task. Undo one end of one of the struts, lower it down while holding the tailgate by hand or brush handle. Undo the other strut. Fit the lower end of both new struts and fit the top end in turn lifting the tailgate by hand to line up the ball & socket ..... job jobbed!

 

[V6Matty]

I've found that replacing gas struts to be a fairly straight forward task. Undo one end of one of the struts, lower it down while holding the tailgate by hand or brush handle. Undo the other strut. Fit the lower end of both new struts and fit the top end in turn lifting the tailgate by hand to line up the ball & socket ..... job jobbed!

You made that sound so easy, I know what you mean and it really should be but I remember taking 3 hours to do mine on the S211 years ago.

 

[EmilysDad]

You made that sound so easy, I know what you mean and it really should be but I remember taking 3 hours to do mine on the S211 years ago.

I used struts from SGS on the tail gate of my Dad's MKII Granada. The struts were not quite the same, & SGS knew that but would modify the new strut using bits from the old ... but I made something up at work. New struts fitted in pretty much the way I described. Pretty straight forward.
I suppose it depends what you're comfortable with ..... everything is easy if you know what you're doing .. even brain surgery

 

[M80]

I would recommend staying well away from SGS. Having bought a trolley jack from them that was faulty they did all they could to give me the run around rather than attempt to resolve the issue, utter shysters.
It is rare I will bad mouth such suppliers but never again for me.

As for the struts, I've changed them on several motors and found the job easy enough. The spring wrap keeps the knuckle on the ball at each end, from memory.

 

[Abb]

Looks quite fiddly but doable. Alternatively put up your location and someone may be able to suggest a decent indy local to you.

 

[EmilysDad]

I would recommend staying well away from SGS. Having bought a trolley jack from them that was faulty they did all they could to give me the run around rather than attempt to resolve the issue, utter shysters.
It is rare I will bad mouth such suppliers but never again for me.

...

whereas I had no problem at all dealing with them.

 

[Aggrieved]

new gas struts required assuming it doesn't have the option of powering closed

Thanks Emily’s Dad but alas my 2006 model pre dates gas struts.

 

[EmilysDad]

Thanks Emily’s Dad but alas my 2006 model pre dates gas struts.

so, what holds the tail gate then?

 

[Aggrieved]

Some form of hydraulic?? Mechanism in the roof structure, no doubt that was why gas struts came in. I can’t be the first to suffer from a “tired” tailgate mechanism.

 

[EmilysDad]

Some form of hydraulic?? Mechanism in the roof structure, no doubt that was why gas struts came in. I can’t be the first to suffer from a “tired” tailgate mechanism.

perhaps still gas struts, but fitted horizontally in the roof space ???

 

[Abb]

Some form of hydraulic?? Mechanism in the roof structure, no doubt that was why gas struts came in. I can’t be the first to suffer from a “tired” tailgate mechanism.

See post 9

 

[EmilysDad]

See post 9

I thought it must be ... though an automated tailgate on my R Class, the lifting mechanism was similar ie horizontal, you could just see the ball joints at the top.

 

[V6Matty]

S211 does have gas struts and as Abb says they are just hidden up in the roof lining.
As I say PITA of a job to do but fully doable at home

 

[ajlsl600]

Here in France I have bought gas struts from the local agri places they keep God selections at half Benz cost did a class rear tailgate this way.

 

[Aggrieved]

Looks quite fiddly but doable. Alternatively put up your location and someone may be able to suggest a decent indy local to you.

Many thanks for your comment and likewise fellow members. My location is Caterham Surrey re a decent local indy.