Guys,

I have a feeling my Virage's trunk struts are off, when I move the trunk lid a little down from the full open position and let go of the trunk it slams shut at quick speed. I don't even need to push it down , just letting it go will slam it shut with quite a force. I am worried about the damage it might cause so I hold it till it reaches close to the bottom and then let it go. The dealer is telling me that is normal operation but I feel something is not right here. Appreciate any input from other Virage owners on how their trunk feels when it is closed.

Thank you

 

Your gas struts may have lost pressurization. They are relatively inexpensive to replace and easy to do, if not under warranty.

 

@*******123 -- Your current procedure is the same as I follow with my DB9. Those are pretty short gas struts, working at an odd angle, and they don't offer that much resistance.

I think this is probably a genuine case of TADTS (they all do that sir).

 

Can't speak to the DB9 but the Vantage trunk does not do this. You need to apply some force to get the latch to catch.

 

Closing a DB9 trunk is a lot like closing the hood/bonnet. Lower by hand to the correct height and then drop. Start too high and cringe as it plummets without restraint (as described by the OP), start too low and it doesn't latch.

I've had no success lowering slowly all the way and then trying to force it down to latch.

 

For the Vantage, I find the best technique is to lower the trunk to about 3-4 inches from closed, and then briskly push it down with your hand, following it with your hand until it latches. The amount of speed and force is something you can perfect over time. The idea is to give it just enough umph to close to avoid having it bottom out on the bumper cover (which it appears mine has before I purchased).

 

I know it adds weight and all that, but does it occur to anyone else that a super smooth, (like B&O equipment) and positive motorized system for all of the doors would be a slick, price appropriate feature for any and all Aston Martins?

For instance, the powered door close on the BMW 7 series just oozes high end cool. Shouldn't a hand built, nearly bespoke car have something at least this nice for the doors and boot (bonnet not necessary)? Fine, Aston doesn't compete with F and P on power and performance numbers, then they really need to dominate in fit, finish and high end cool. Seems the door closures would be a nice place to take that stand...then find some others.

 

Hey Dave, on your V12V, how much does the hatch open when you press the release? On mine it used to go up about an inch, but I think my gas shocks are getting tired because it now only goes up about 1mm and I have to pry it open with my fingers. On my Esprit, the release causes the hatch to spring open to full height.

 

^^^Yeah, mine doesn't pop up very far either, and never has. I'm going to guess it's less than a half inch. I also have to sneak my fingers in the crack (that sounds dirty!) to open the trunk.

 

The Vantage is a hatch vs. a trunk; I would assume this makes a tremendous difference about how it closes? I've had Porsche 928s which are hatch back cars and you had to lower it by keeping your hand on it so it didn't slam shut, even with brand new struts. Not sure the comparisons are accurate to the OP's question?

I do have a Virage and I can tell the OP that the way his closes is NOT the way it is suppose to close. I just went out to the garage and checked mine. I can close mine almost to the half way point and it still stays open. When I pass that point it closes but, with just enough force to close it securely. It in no way slams shut...... This was also true on my previous DB9.

 

For sure a concern with the boot lid dampers, if 1 of the 2 dampers leaks out then this is what you get as a concern..look at where the piston enters the seal and see if a sweat of oil is coming from it...odds are the one with sweat is ur dead damper in this case. Ur virage lid operation is the same as DB9/DBS/NEW DB9..goto the showroom and compare ur car with the showroom car and have the advisor present, should be covered under warranty(providing its not expired), all my claims pass so don't see why this case wouldn't be any problem...honestly though I don't get some dealers on simple stuff like this, when the client has a concern...Fix it!!

 

Same here....stays open at a 45 deg angle.

 

Mine is the same way.