Panic - tailgate wouldn't close.
Indeed. Whatever the reason for replacement early on it's good to have the later design.
2023 B4 Plus Dark FWD in Silver Dawn. Tinted Rear Windows. Spare Wheel & Tow Bar dealer fitted.
Gone - 2019 T4 R-Design FWD in Bursting Blue. Winter & Convenience Packs, Power Seat, Front Park Assist, Rear Camera, Spare Wheel & Tow Bar.
Gone - 2019 T4 R-Design FWD in Bursting Blue. Winter & Convenience Packs, Power Seat, Front Park Assist, Rear Camera, Spare Wheel & Tow Bar.
The flaw in these strut designs is that water gets into the bottom spring section when the tailgate is closed. Blue arrows in photo.
This causes corrosion of the springs and eventual failure.
When the tailgate is opened, orange rust water dribbles out of the strut onto the car body and rear lights. Red arrows in photo.
After giving it some thought, i came up with a 'hack' to cover the joint when the tailgate is closed to prevent water from getting in. It's not pretty, but it does the job quite well. see 2nd photo.
I looped a red tie wrap around the strut and closed the tailgate. This pushes the tie-wrap up to the position where water ingress occurs. I then took some electrical tape and folded 1/3 of it back over itself so that you get a non-sticky section to go around the tie wrap. Wrap it around the tie-wrap as shown in picture below.
Now when the tailgate closes, the joint is covered and water should now flow over it instead of into the strut and cause damage to the springs.
If anyone can think of a more elegant solution - please share.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/YQT3hBqRPLt3hpM38
https://photos.app.goo.gl/cGkLQFkNoFKHWXRQ8
Video of the final implementation
https://photos.app.goo.gl/hwbWKbG9xb3Vhwjp7
This causes corrosion of the springs and eventual failure.
When the tailgate is opened, orange rust water dribbles out of the strut onto the car body and rear lights. Red arrows in photo.
After giving it some thought, i came up with a 'hack' to cover the joint when the tailgate is closed to prevent water from getting in. It's not pretty, but it does the job quite well. see 2nd photo.
I looped a red tie wrap around the strut and closed the tailgate. This pushes the tie-wrap up to the position where water ingress occurs. I then took some electrical tape and folded 1/3 of it back over itself so that you get a non-sticky section to go around the tie wrap. Wrap it around the tie-wrap as shown in picture below.
Now when the tailgate closes, the joint is covered and water should now flow over it instead of into the strut and cause damage to the springs.
If anyone can think of a more elegant solution - please share.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/YQT3hBqRPLt3hpM38
https://photos.app.goo.gl/cGkLQFkNoFKHWXRQ8
Video of the final implementation
https://photos.app.goo.gl/hwbWKbG9xb3Vhwjp7
Last edited by K9plus1 on Mon Nov 20, 2023 4:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
volvo xc40 B4 mild hybrid
So you're having problems with the updated design?
Last edited by ChrisLF on Mon Nov 20, 2023 9:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
2023 B4 Plus Dark FWD in Silver Dawn. Tinted Rear Windows. Spare Wheel & Tow Bar dealer fitted.
Gone - 2019 T4 R-Design FWD in Bursting Blue. Winter & Convenience Packs, Power Seat, Front Park Assist, Rear Camera, Spare Wheel & Tow Bar.
Gone - 2019 T4 R-Design FWD in Bursting Blue. Winter & Convenience Packs, Power Seat, Front Park Assist, Rear Camera, Spare Wheel & Tow Bar.
It appears so. The water seal (if there is indeed one) between the 2 sliding parts doesn't seem to function. Water gets in after a shower. The right strut makes clanking noises when it opens.
So what i've done is really an attempt at preventative maintenance. I've added a video to show how it all comes together.
So what i've done is really an attempt at preventative maintenance. I've added a video to show how it all comes together.
volvo xc40 B4 mild hybrid
I have self amalgamating tape too. What a great idea!
volvo xc40 B4 mild hybrid
If a 2020 model suspect it still has original struts ( unless replaced with updated design)which were subject to water ingress and erosion. Did you get a warranty when you bought the cat, if so and still within the warranty period, take it back and get sorted.
