OEM Auto Lift Supports

Support Your Hood and Hatch with Genuine Lift Supports

Your vehicle's systems work tirelessly to keep you moving. Regular maintenance is key to ensuring their longevity and efficiency. Lift supports hold hoods, hatches, and liftgates open during access to engines and cargo areas. These gas-charged cylinders extend to support panels at predetermined positions, preventing them from falling unexpectedly. Vehicles like the Subaru Forester and Volkswagen Tiguan depend on properly functioning lift supports for safe and convenient access to engines and cargo spaces.

How Lift Supports Function

Lift supports contain pressurized nitrogen gas and hydraulic fluid inside sealed cylinders. When you open a hood or hatch, the support extends to hold the panel at the fully open position. Internal seals contain the gas pressure that provides lifting force. Mounting brackets at each end attach to the vehicle body and the panel being supported. The gas pressure counterbalances panel weight, making opening effortless.

Why Lift Supports Fail

Internal seals deteriorate from age and temperature cycles, allowing gas to leak slowly. Once pressure drops, supports lose their ability to hold panels open. External damage from impacts or improper handling can bend rods or damage cylinders. Corrosion on mounting points causes supports to bind or detach. Generic aftermarket lift supports frequently use inferior seals and lower gas pressure that cannot match OEM specifications. These cheap alternatives fail prematurely and may not provide sufficient force to safely hold heavier panels, creating dangerous situations where hoods or hatches fall unexpectedly, potentially causing injury and affecting your body panel operation.

Replace Weak Lift Supports Promptly

Install new lift supports if panels won't stay open or fall slowly after being raised. You should never need to prop panels with external supports. Visible oil leaking from cylinders indicates seal failure. Most lift supports last between 50,000 and 80,000 miles before gas pressure decreases enough to require replacement.

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