trunk lid question

Ok guys - keep in mind I'm a girl so bear with me; but I'm also very handy and can fix most anything myself.

I bought this great '93 Geo LSi Convertible and it just needs a few minor things which have nothing to do with the engine.

For instance - when you open the trunk it won't stay up by itself, it just wants to fall down and crack you in the head... not good. Geozukigti from this forum turned me on to car-part.com and I got the broken door handles fixed.

What part to I need to fix this trunk lid problem? Is it that little hydraulic doohickey that is attached to the lid? What is that thing called and how do I order one from car-part.com? They list trunk hinge but not sure that's really it.

Or is it something I can fix myself somehow?

Heh, mine did that too. They're called "trunk struts". They're usually about $15 each at any auto parts store.

Hey fantastic!

Do you need one or two? It only has one now but maybe there are supposed to be 2...

Only has one?? Heh, yeah, it's SUPPOSED to have 2. Whoever had it last thought it was special and only needed one I guess, lol. 1 good strut won't hold it for very long.

The stock ones are REALLY hard to find, and when you do find them in a junkyard, they are usually weak to hold up the trunk lid.

There's aftermarket ones in the autoparts stores, usually made by Sachs, which makes most of the aftermarket trunk shocks, but they don't work very well.

I've got a set (pair) installed on one of my Geo Metro Convertibles, and now it forces the trunk up way to fast and forceful, and has ripped the trunk lide at the bolt where the shock bolts in.

Thanks for the response. I made this post over a year ago but still have the problem. I purchased a pair of new struts online that were supposed to be for the make and model of the car but when I tried to have a mechanic install them he said they were the wrong part!

So I guess we're just stuck with having to hold up the trunk so it doesnt bonk you in the head when unloading the groceries. Can we convince ourselves that it's part of the charm of the car?

an old chunk of broomstick is always handy to have in the trunk

Yep - I had to put a dowel in my car to hold up the hatchback -- or else I just use my noggin ;) (not very comfy or safe though!)

Learned my lesson the day it stayed up by itself.... it came slamming down on the back of my neck/top of back... scary!!

I can see it now "death by hatchback"

I broke my back window out and just taped plastic in for a few months until I found a new hatch( window -300 bucks , new hatch with glass 100 bucks ) after all that time with no weight my struts failed and I got the wake up thump on the melon. now I use an old 1960's putter as a prop, I think if they lay in a bone yard and arent used they lose something in the seals and quit working as well.