Parts for your 2013 Mazda Cx-7-Gas struts

2013 Mazda CX-7 Gas Struts — What They Do and When to Replace Them

Based on Mazda’s ER-series CX-7 Workshop Manual (Body – Liftgate section), the Mazda Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) listings for “Stay, Back Door” on ER chassis, and the CX-7 Owner’s Manual cautions about liftgate stays, gas struts are fitted to the rear liftgate of the 2013 Mazda CX-7. The bonnet uses a prop rod rather than gas struts, so bonnet gas struts aren’t applicable on this model.

On the CX-7, the rear liftgate gas struts (often called gas stays) do the heavy lifting, literally. They’re nitrogen-charged dampers that counterbalance the hatch so it lifts smoothly and stays put overhead. When they’re healthy, the tailgate pops up with minimal effort and doesn’t creep down on a windy day. Over time, seals wear, pressure bleeds off, and cold weather can make weak struts feel even lazier—so a hatch that used to glide up starts sagging or needs a shoulder nudge.

As part of routine servicing on a 2013 CX-7, it’s smart to give the liftgate struts a quick check. Open the tailgate and see if it holds firmly at full height, without shuddering, dropping, or needing hand support. If there’s oil mist around the rod, if the strut feels jerky, or if the hatch sinks a few centimetres after you stop moving it, they’re on the way out. Replace struts in pairs so the lift and hold are balanced.

• Service tip: Keep the polished rod clean—just a gentle wipe. Don’t grease it, oils can attract grit and damage the seals.
• Safety tip: If a strut is failing, support the hatch with a prop while working. Those gas-charged tubes still carry a punch.
• Replacement: The CX-7 uses ball-stud clips—most quality aftermarket and OEM struts click on/off with a small flat screwdriver to release the spring clip. Mark orientation and swap one side at a time.

Owners in Australia and New Zealand typically see 5–8 years from a set, depending on climate and usage. If the tailgate’s heavy, noisy, or won’t stay up, don’t wait—new struts make day-to-day use feel like a new car again. And just to clear it up: the bonnet on this CX-7 uses a prop rod by design, so bonnet gas struts aren’t missing—they were never fitted from factory.

FAQs

Does the 2013 Mazda CX-7 have bonnet gas struts?
Factory-spec CX-7 (ER series) uses a bonnet prop rod, not gas struts. That’s consistent with Mazda service information for this model. There are aftermarket conversion kits around, but they’re not OEM.

How long do liftgate gas struts usually last on a CX-7?
In local conditions, many see 5–8 years, sometimes less in hot, coastal, or very cold climates. If the hatch won’t stay up or needs help to lift, that’s the cue to replace both struts.

Can a handy owner replace the CX-7’s liftgate gas struts at home?
Yes. With basic hand tools and a second person to hold the hatch, it’s typically a 20–30 minute job. Release the spring clip, pop the old strut off, clip the new one on, and repeat on the other side.