Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class (W163) ML 320 (163.154), MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class (W163) ML 230 (163.136), MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class (W163) ML 430 (163.172), MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class (W163) ML 270 CDI (163.113), MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class (W163) ML 55 AMG (163.174), MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class (W163) ML 400 CDI (163.128), MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class (W163) ML 500 (163.175), MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class (W163) ML 350 (163.157), MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class (W163) ML 350 … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change gas struts / tailgate struts on MERCEDES ML W163 [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

Alternative products

Tailgate strut

Replacement: tailgate struts – Mercedes ML W163. Tools you might need:

                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Flat screwdriver
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack

Buy tools

AUTODOC recommends:

Right and left gas struts of the boot lid should be replaced simultaneously.
The replacement procedure is identical for the right and left gas struts of the boot lid.
Please note: all work on the car – Mercedes ML W163 – should be done with the engine switched off.

Carry out replacement in the following order:

Step 1

Open the boot lid.
Step 2

Support the boot lid. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 3

Release the circlip connecting the gas strut to the car body. Use a flat screwdriver.
Step 4

Release the circlip connecting the gas strut to the boot lid. Use a flat screwdriver.
Step 5

Remove the boot lid gas strut.

Replacement: tailgate struts – Mercedes ML W163. AUTODOC experts recommend:
To avoid any injuries, be sure to hold the boot lid while demounting the gas struts.
Step 6

Clean the mounting seats of the boot strut. Use WD-40 spray.

Step 7

Install the new boot lid gas strut.

Replacement: tailgate struts – Mercedes ML W163. AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid any injuries, be sure to hold the boot lid while installing the gas strut.
Step 8

Snap on the circlip connecting the gas strut to the boot lid.
Step 9

Snap on the circlip connecting the gas strut to the car body.
Step 10

Release the circlip connecting the gas strut to the car body. Use a flat screwdriver.
Step 11

Release the circlip connecting the gas strut to the boot lid. Use a flat screwdriver.
Step 12

Remove the boot lid gas strut.

Replacement: tailgate struts – Mercedes ML W163. AUTODOC experts recommend:
To avoid any injuries, be sure to hold the boot lid while demounting the gas struts.
Step 13

Clean the mounting seats of the boot strut. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 14

Install the new boot lid gas strut.

Replacement: tailgate struts – Mercedes ML W163. Tip:
To avoid any injuries, be sure to hold the boot lid while installing the gas strut.
Step 15

Snap on the circlip connecting the gas strut to the boot lid.
Step 16

Snap on the circlip connecting the gas strut to the car body.
Step 17

Remove the hydraulic transmission jack.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: tailgate struts – Mercedes ML W163. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 18

Check the working condition of the boot lid gas springs after they are installed.
Step 19

Close the lid of the luggage compartment.

Was this manual helpful?

Please rate this manual on a scale from 1 to 5. If you have any questions, feel free to ask us.

Need New Tyres?

Find out which tyre and wheel sizes are compatible with the MERCEDES-BENZ ML-Class (W163) model

ML W163 tyre size

How to change rear brake pads on Mercedes ML W163 – replacement guide

Free download PDF 1.46 MB
How to change front brake pads on Mercedes ML W163 – replacement guide

Free download PDF 1.58 MB
How to change front brake discs on Mercedes ML W163 – replacement guide

Free download PDF 1.85 MB
How to change rear brake discs on Mercedes ML W163 – replacement guide

Free download PDF 1.87 MB
How to change front wheel bearing on Mercedes ML W163 – replacement guide

Free download PDF 2.36 MB
How to change serpentine belt on Mercedes ML W163 – replacement guide

Free download PDF 1.67 MB

How to change tailgate struts on a car – replacement tutorial

Universal

Free download PDF 1.21 MB
How to change tailgate struts on Mercedes W245 – replacement guide

Free download PDF 849.92 KB
How to change tailgate struts on Mercedes W168 – replacement guide

Free download PDF 1.09 MB
How to change tailgate struts on Mercedes Vito W638 – replacement guide

Free download PDF 1.72 MB
How to change tailgate struts on MERCEDES-BENZ Vito Van (W638) – replacement guide

Free download PDF 1.65 MB
How to change tailgate struts on MERCEDES-BENZ V-Class (W638/2) – replacement guide

Free download PDF 1.63 MB

Unlock your car maintenance assistant!

Track expenses, manage logs, schedule replacements, and more.

How to remove scratches from car plastic | AUTODOC tips

197K views

Published on: 15/12/2022
Top 5 reasons why the suspension knocks | AUTODOC tips

2M views

Published on: 09/09/2022
How to fix your car with AUTODOC CLUB

17K views

Published on: 30/11/2021
Cold starts | 5 mistakes that wreck your car

14K views

Published on: 23/10/2025