Parts for your 2023 Mazda 3-Gas struts

2023 Mazda 3 gas struts: what they do and how to keep them sweet

Referencing technical sources, gas struts are indeed fitted to the 2023 Mazda 3 hatch (BP series) on the rear liftgate. The Mazda Workshop Manual details “Liftgate Stay Damper” removal/installation procedures, and the Mazda Electronic Parts Catalogue lists the hatch “Stay, Liftgate” as service parts. The 2023 Mazda 3 Owner’s Manual also shows the bonnet held up by a prop rod (not gas struts), and the sedan’s boot uses torsion bars rather than struts. So, gas struts are relevant on the hatch’s tailgate, while the bonnet and sedan boot are not strut-equipped.

On the hatch, gas-charged struts take the weight of the liftgate and control its movement, so it opens smoothly and stays put without sagging. Over time, nitrogen pressure drops and seals wear, especially with heat, dust, and regular use. That’s when the tailgate starts rising sluggishly, won’t stay at full height, or drops unexpectedly—none of which is fun on a windy day in a Bunnings carpark.

As part of routine servicing for a 2023 Mazda 3 hatch, it’s smart to give the liftgate struts a quick once-over:

• Check for oily residue on the strut body, dings on the chrome rod, or corrosion on the ends.
• Open and close the hatch a few times—look for jerkiness, uneven lift, or any creaks.
• Confirm the hatch holds at full height and doesn’t slowly drift down.

Maintenance is light: keep the chrome rods clean and dry, don’t grease or spray silicones on the rods (that attracts grit and can damage seals). If one strut is tired, replace both—mixing an old and a new strut can twist hinges and feel a bit ordinary. Always match the correct Newton (N) rating and end fittings for the BP hatch. During replacement, securely support the hatch (prop or a mate holding it), flick up the retaining clips with a small flat screwdriver, pop the old struts off the ball studs, then push the new ones on until the clip snaps home. Follow the workshop manual torque specs if any studs or brackets are removed, then cycle the hatch a few times to bed things in.

If the struts are leaking, pitted, or weak in cool weather, that’s your cue to swap them. Dispose of old units responsibly—they’re pressurised, so treat them like small gas cylinders and recycle per local guidance across Australia and New Zealand.

Does the 2023 Mazda 3 bonnet have gas struts?

No. The 2023 Mazda 3 uses a prop rod for the bonnet. That’s straight from the Owner’s Manual illustrations. If bonnet struts are desired, aftermarket kits exist, but they’re a modification and should be fitted carefully to avoid hinge or guard damage.

Are the hatch’s gas struts the same as the sedan’s boot supports?

No. The hatch uses gas-charged struts on the liftgate. The sedan boot is supported by torsion bars, so there aren’t factory gas struts on the boot lid. Order parts by body style (hatch vs sedan) and VIN to avoid mix-ups.

How long do liftgate gas struts last on a Mazda 3?

There’s no fixed interval, but many last 5–10 years depending on climate and use. Heat, dust, and frequent opening shorten their life. If the hatch won’t stay up or rises sluggishly, replace the pair and you’re good to go.