A tailgate that will not stay up is more than an everyday annoyance. Whether you are loading school bags, work gear, groceries or camping equipment, a weak tailgate can drop without warning and turn a simple job into a safety risk. This tailgate strut maintenance guide explains what to check, what you can safely do at home and when replacement is the sensible option.
Gas struts are designed to make lifting and holding a tailgate, hatch or boot lid feel effortless. They work quietly in the background until they lose pressure, become damaged or start binding at the mounting points. A little attention can help you spot a problem early and avoid being caught with a heavy tailgate on a busy driveway or roadside stop.
How tailgate gas struts work
Most modern SUVs, wagons, hatchbacks and utes use gas struts to support the tailgate. Inside each strut is pressurised gas and oil, which create the force needed to lift and hold the panel open. The shaft slides in and out as the tailgate moves, while ball-joint fittings or brackets secure each end to the vehicle.
These components are sealed units. Unlike a door hinge, they are not designed to be pulled apart, refilled or repaired at home. Once the internal gas pressure escapes, the strut will progressively lose its ability to support the tailgate.
It is also worth remembering that struts are matched to the weight and design of the tailgate. Adding accessories such as a bike rack, spare wheel carrier, ladder, canopy fittings or heavier trim can place extra load on them. A strut that was adequate for the original tailgate may no longer offer safe support after modifications.
Signs your tailgate struts need attention
A failing strut rarely improves on its own. The first sign is often a tailgate that rises slowly, stops partway, or needs a firm push to reach the fully open position. In cooler weather, weak struts can feel noticeably worse because temperature affects gas pressure. If they only hold the tailgate on a hot afternoon, they are already near the end of their useful life.
Pay close attention if the tailgate begins to sink after opening or drops suddenly when you are beneath it. This is a clear safety concern. Do not rely on a broom handle, a piece of timber or another makeshift support as a long-term solution, particularly when children are nearby.
Other warning signs include oil residue around the strut shaft, visible dents in the cylinder, corrosion, a bent mounting bracket or a loose ball joint. A light film of oil may indicate that the internal seal is failing. Scratches or pitting on the polished shaft can damage the seal further each time the tailgate opens and closes.
A squeak does not always mean the gas strut itself has failed. It may come from dry pivot points, hinges or worn mounting hardware. However, noise combined with poor lifting force is a good reason to have the whole tailgate support system checked.
A simple tailgate strut maintenance routine
The most useful maintenance is inspection and cleaning, rather than trying to service the sealed strut. Check the struts every few months, especially if your vehicle spends a lot of time outdoors, travels on unsealed roads or regularly carries beach and camping gear.
Start by opening the tailgate fully on level ground. Keep clear of the opening area and have another person hold the tailgate if it does not stay up confidently. Look over both struts from top to bottom. They should be straight, securely fitted and free from deep scratches, leaks and heavy corrosion.
Use a clean, soft cloth to wipe dust, mud and salt from the exposed shaft. Grit on the shaft can be drawn past the seal during normal operation, shortening the strut’s life. If the vehicle has been near the coast, on dusty tracks or through heavy rain, this quick clean is particularly worthwhile.
Avoid applying grease, heavy oil or silicone spray directly to the polished strut shaft unless your vehicle manufacturer specifically advises it. These products can attract dust and may interfere with the seal. If the mounting pivots are dry or squeaking, use only a suitable light lubricant on the external pivot or ball-joint area, taking care not to spray the shaft. Wipe away excess product before closing the tailgate.
Open and close the tailgate slowly a few times after cleaning. It should move smoothly without binding, clicking or needing extra force at one point in its travel. If it feels uneven, do not assume the struts are the only issue. Misaligned hinges, damaged tailgate seals and bent brackets can all affect operation.
What can shorten strut life?
Australian conditions can be hard on tailgate hardware. Heat, UV exposure, coastal air, red dust and wet weather each contribute to wear over time. While quality struts are built for regular use, no gas strut lasts forever.
Repeatedly forcing a tailgate closed when something is caught in the opening can bend mounts or damage the shaft. Slamming the tailgate is also hard on the fittings. So is using the open tailgate as a support for heavy items that it was not designed to carry.
Vehicle modifications deserve special consideration. Canopies, roof-mounted equipment and aftermarket tailgate accessories can change the load the struts must hold. If your tailgate became harder to lift after an accessory was fitted, speak with a professional about struts rated for the new weight rather than accepting weak support as normal.
When cleaning is not enough
Replacement is usually the right answer when a strut is leaking, bent, corroded, loose or unable to hold the tailgate securely. Gas struts are generally replaced in pairs, even if only one seems weak. The second strut has done the same amount of work and may fail shortly afterwards, while a mismatched pair can cause uneven lifting.
Choosing the correct replacement matters. Length, mounting style, extended force rating and vehicle application all need to match the tailgate. A strut with too little force will not provide reliable support. One with excessive force can make the tailgate difficult to close and may place unnecessary stress on hinges, brackets and glass.
Replacement can look straightforward, but the tailgate must be supported safely before either strut is removed. A tailgate is heavier than it appears, and removing both struts without secure support can cause injury or damage. If there is any doubt about the correct part, mounting condition or safe fitting process, arrange professional help.
For busy vehicle owners, a mobile gas strut replacement service removes the need to drive around with a tailgate that will not stay open. VIP Car Care can assess worn struts and replace them at a location that suits you, helping restore safe, convenient access to your vehicle without the workshop runaround.
Safe habits for everyday use
Treat a tailgate that feels weak as a problem to resolve promptly, not something to work around. Before loading the vehicle, make sure it is fully open and stable. In strong wind, keep a hand on the tailgate where practical, as a gust can put sudden extra pressure on struts and hinges.
Do not let children hang from an open tailgate or stand beneath one that is not holding firmly. If you need to inspect, clean or organise the boot while waiting for replacement struts, use a properly rated support and keep the area clear. Never place hands near the hinges or closing edge while someone else is operating the tailgate.
A well-supported tailgate makes every school run, job site visit and weekend away easier. Check it before it becomes unreliable, keep the shafts clean, and book replacement as soon as it no longer holds with confidence.
