Trunk Problems

Ever since i've had my car, the trunk has never been able to hold itself up. I have to use a metal pole to keep it open. It looks like it uses shocks and i was wondering if anybody knows if these can be found in a regular auto parts store or if i have to order them or something.

I've never seen the '80s body style trunks use shocks to hold themselves up. I've always seen the adjustable torsion springs up across the panel below the rear window. If there are aftermarket shock type trunk props already installed, then I'm sure you can find some with matching lengths at a junkyard or auto parts store. Check to see though if you have those springs. The look like long thin rods across the back upper area where the speakers are.

Mine has the shocks.

You can replace them, but make sure you get good ones! The autozone ones will fail after one year! I speak from experience!

I wonder why GM decided to go with shocks over the torsion springs. The springs seem to never wear out. The ones from my '85 and my '84 Caprice never lost thier "spring." All the one's in junk yards work fine as well, it seems to me if it works, why change it? Maybe it was cheaper somehow.

thanks for the advice