Are there any aftermarket "Shock type" cylinders that make the trunk lid easier to open?

yep. i got mine from ebay for about $40 bucks. very easy to install and they make a huge difference

The OEM lifts tend to go bad in many of the earlier CTS's. Just make sure you get the correct sized ones... The earlier CTS's had a different hinge design and the lifts were a little shorter than the newer ones (the old ones are now discontinued from dealers). The new lifts that are slightly longer will not fit on the old hinge design. Best way to tell after removing the lifts; 1) either measure the old lift from the center of each hole on each end (forgot what the measurements are for each) and post back here what the measurement is, or 2) buy a new lift from a local parts store and see if it fits. If it fits, you have the new style, if it is slightly too long, you'll have to get some old design ones off ebay (if you don't want to pay for new hinges that is). Hope this helps...

By earlier, do you mean earlier than 2006? Curious.

It’s one of the first things I noticed about mine! At first, I didn't think the remote had worked to pop it! I now count this as exercise though so I guess it has its benefits.

Hey, I would like the answer to this as well. 2005 CTS. I want to be certain about which ones I need. THX.

Autozone sells them for less than $40 for the two made by Mitylift I think the p/n is E 95322 fit my 2004 perfect.

Autozone sells them for less than $40 for the two made by Mitylift I think the p/n is E 95322 fit my 2004 perfect.

18.99 each or is that a pair for 18.99

I put the Autozone ones on mine but I have the aftermarket spoiler so it's still heavy.

I put the Autozone ones on mine but I have the aftermarket spoiler so it's still heavy.

Same situation here, but it makes a big difference.

From what I understand, the earlier old version was only in the first half of 2003 models.

That´s right. All CTS after 2003 have the 2nd design of trunk lift supports. I got my replacements from www.rockauto.com. I needed the 1st design (early 2003 CTS), it was $ 20,- or so and they work perfectly.

The 2003 has 2 different exteneded lengths: 11.1 and 11.5 inches. Measure what you have and then buy the ones advertised as such. The 11.1 model is the old version, the other years are the 11.5. The 11.5 is easier to find. I purchased mine on ebay.

By earlier, do you mean earlier than 2006? Curious.

It’s one of the first things I noticed about mine! At first, I didn't think the remote had worked to pop it! I now count this as exercise though so I guess it has its benefits.

2004- used the new lifts. The trunk is still heavy even with the new lifts, but not nearly as bad as the the 03's...

Why would you need to replace the lift supports on a $25,000 vehicle less than 10 years old. LOL. One of Many examples of why I am EXTREMELY disappointed in my CTS. no wonder GM can't find a way to be profitable when it's flagship product is plagued with such quality issues.

golddragon...this is the second thread i have seen where you have bash the quality of GM...did they fire you or something?

Fired? LOL. Nope just pissed that a car that I'm paying huge payments on every month. shimmies & rattles when it goes down the road, can't keep the trunk lid open, crank sensor went bad, fuel pump went bad, shifter light works half the time, passenger seat head rest flops around, has pieces of plastic hanging down underneath it, traction control and ABS lights turn on and off randomly, wheels won't hold air (yes, the wheels are leaking not the tires)... shall i go on... all with 53000 miles on it and less than 6 years old. Bash Cadillac, I'd never think of it they do well enough at that themselves.

when did you buy your 03 CTS? you obviously dont have a red flag waving in your head when you see a POS car. cause if i bought an 03 CTS with 53K on it, i would personally think something was wrong with the car, unless i knew for a fact that old people owned it. i know some people bought there cars with extremely low miles, but not everybody gets so lucky. i have an 03 and i bought it used and i had a few issues. i would have to say the biggest being the CPS. but after figuring it out and 2 hours of my time, i had it fixed and back on the road. i will take that 2 hours of work anyday on my CTS...

when did you buy your 03 CTS? you obviously dont have a red flag waving in your head when you see a POS car. cause if i bought an 03 CTS with 53K on it, i would personally think something was wrong with the car, unless i knew for a fact that old people owned it. i know some people bought there cars with extremely low miles, but not everybody gets so lucky. i have an 03 and i bought it used and i had a few issues. i would have to say the biggest being the CPS. but after figuring it out and 2 hours of my time, i had it fixed and back on the road. i will take that 2 hours of work anyday on my CTS...

I have to agree with golddragon1967 concerning his 03 cts. I bought mine with about 33,500 miles on it in Aug 06 and fortunately purchased an extended warranty. I have encountered just about every one of the common problems with the CTS except for the rear differential howling in 3 years and 26,000 miles. The repair record of the car did not show any problems prior to the purchase except for the leaking trunk bezel replacement. My coverage has paid for over $8000 in parts and labor.

The car has been towed 3 times. Once I was 80 miles from home and was travelling to Canada from Baltimore and had to pay extra for an out of country rental (tow job). The CPS had just been replaced a month before (tow job), but it was found to be the culprit again. I had a leaking oil cooler replaced twice in a 14 month span, the valve cover gaskets leaked, the throttle body failed (tow job), the trunk supports I replaced, the antenna module failed, the headlamp bulb bracket broke and the entire unit was replaced, I have what sounds like a rear hub problem, the cheap center console creaks whenever I have a passenger, I had water collect in my passenger doors and had to clip some of the bottom gasket to allow the drain holes to work. This is just off the top of my head.

I had a Ford Taurus for 9 years that was never towed. I replaced a power brake booster, water pump and camshaft position sensor. I had a couple of items fixed under the original warranty (windshield wiper stalk comes to mind), but it held up over time.

I have had more problems and down time with the 3 years of CTS ownership than all of my other cars combined. I and 54 years old and average 2 cars in the driveway.

Why would you need to replace the lift supports on a $25,000 vehicle less than 10 years old. LOL. One of Many examples of why I am EXTREMELY disappointed in my CTS. no wonder GM can't find a way to be profitable when it's flagship product is plagued with such quality issues.

Ford, Chrysler, BMW, Toyota, Acura, Porsche, etc never have any mechanical or electrical problems.

Johnson Controls makes all the batteries and seats for many diff makes.
Lear makes sound systems and other electronics for various makes.

Talk to the mechanics who work on BMWs and Mercedes vehicles. You will get an earful.

Yeh but you also bought the first year of a new series of cars. Most people cringe just saying that. Mainly because the car dealer has to work out all of the bugs and then the next model year is usually better. (I said usually) As far as the taurus working out better, well my mother in law had hers towed many times for a various of different issues. One I know I looked at when I was there was her front seat motor went and chewed up it's gearing. So it stopped working. But the same happened when they bought a new (Used) truck. They have had one hell of a time with that truck from the coil packs going out to the fuel pump stopping mid trip. (chevy 2wd standard trans. 4.3L)

It all depends on how you drive to how the vehicle was put together to what part fails first. I just had the windshield wiper motor go out in my own 03 CTS. Other than that, I haven't had to do anything to it and I am not the easiest driver. (My CTS has over 92,000 miles on it)

Just thought I would throw that one out there.

Fired? LOL. Nope just pissed that a car that I'm paying huge payments on every month. shimmies & rattles when it goes down the road, can't keep the trunk lid open, crank sensor went bad, fuel pump went bad, shifter light works half the time, passenger seat head rest flops around, has pieces of plastic hanging down underneath it, traction control and ABS lights turn on and off randomly, wheels won't hold air (yes, the wheels are leaking not the tires)... shall i go on... all with 53000 miles on it and less than 6 years old. Bash Cadillac, I'd never think of it they do well enough at that themselves.You do know GM do not make any of their own wheels, right?
You bought a 1st yr car...which is always a gamble from any brand. I had an 03 and most of the problems you mention happened to mine as well. I have an 06 now, and besides a diff leak, its been extremely reliable...

If you keep bashing, youll stop getting any help here... you car is still bulletproof compared to some of the late model doozies my mother has owned from MB and Lexus.