even though they told me they had lubricated the struts.

Could this lead to damaged hinges?

Did they ever lubricate the hinges? That is where the problem is. Moisture gets into the hinge pin, corrodes the inside, and they get really stiff.

Yes, eventually the hinges will bend, which will cause body problems and a very expensive repair. Best to replace the hinges now; and keep them lubricated with a penetrating lubricant such as SeaFoam Deep Creep.

 

Did they ever lubricate the hinges? That is where the problem is. Moisture gets into the hinge pin, corrodes the inside, and they get really stiff.

Yes, eventually the hinges will bend, which will cause body problems and a very expensive repair. Best to replace the hinges now; and keep them lubricated with a penetrating lubricant such as SeaFoam Deep Creep.

Yes, they didn't document it but the service advisor told me that they had lubricated the hinges and the struts. And from your recommendation on another thread I ordered some Deep Creep and sprayed everything myself just to make sure.

I'm convinced it's the struts that aren't generating enough force to properly open or close the hatch. What I I don't know is whether this is caused directly by the struts themselves or possibly the 12v battery isn't providing enough power to them.

 

So what are the possible culprits here? I'm trying to have a full list ready so when the dealer tells me they can't fix it unless they see it happen in front of them despite the numerous videos I have, I can tell them to start by replacing or fixing the most likely culprit and work their way down from there untl it's resolved.

Here's what I've come up with so far in the order I think are the most likely causes based on what I've seen and done -

1. The struts
2. The 12v battery not putting out enough power to properly operate the struts
3. The obstruction sensor that stops the hatch from opening or closing if it detects something in the way.
4. The hinges (Visually I see nothing wrong with them and have lubricated them with Deep Creep)
5. ?? what else might I be missing?

My plan is to have them document the issue, either from the videos I have or if they manage to replicate it while I'm there, and then tell them that I will bring it back and drop it off with them in March and will not pick it up until they tell me it's fixed.

 

3. The obstruction sensor that stops the hatch from opening or closing if it detects something in the way.

The obstruction sensor is just what looks like a weather strip around the periphery of the hatch.

There is a sensor in the drive electronics for the struts to tell if too much current is needed by struts. That is electronics and cannot be easily tested or assessed.

 

2 is easy to solve attach a 12v supply to the 12v (jump pack or something else) test away
4 solvable disconnect struts with help of second person, and by hand, are hinges truly running free ?

 

Went to the dealership this morning and out of pure luck the problem happened right in front of the service advisor. They are ordering new struts and will call me when they have them.