My Trunk Fell Off.
yes. I’m aware what I just said. I recently gotten into a 2003 mini (manual) & KNOWINGLY, the trunk wouldn’t sit flesh how it is supposed to, but it would latch. It would close with a finger-tip size gap.
Useable .. it just had a “certain” way to close.

now, fast forward, no, nothing was hit, no bumps, no vehicles, I open the trunk & my hydraulic left arm POPS OFF the right trunk ARM is completely unattached , so the only thing holding on is the left trunk arm/connect .. the washer for the right side is completely gone.

solution for the time being -
Both hydraulics are off , we had to force close and bungee cord on the inside so it would remain closed .. but I’m looking for those trunk arm parts.. I assume it would be easier to replace both,
As at one time.. that left bolt was the only thing holding the trunk on.

any insights? Suggestions? I’ve never in my life heard of anything like this before lol.

Note- the hydraulics did seem way to pressurized I’m wondering if that was the cause.

 

Hello, the old trunk hinge would rust or break off. Check those.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...e-broke-2.html

 

Not surprising as this used to come up more often than you would think. I haven’t seen any posts on it for a while though. The hatch hinges eventually seize from rust and snap from metal fatigue if not lubricated periodically. There might be some better info on here, but this thread has some info: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...e-broke-2.html

While you’re back there, make sure your cargo area and battery box (if you have a Cooper S) don’t have water in them. Water often leaks through the third brake light and hatch handle seals. The handle leak can also lead to the hatch popping open by itself when the switch shorts, or the switch failing from corrosion and preventing unlatching from the outside. Depending on the manufacture date of your car there might be a manual hatch release cable under the bottom rear seat cushion. I think it was added late 2002 or early 2003.