The torsion springs broke; both of them; not at the same time. When the first one broke, I obtained one from the 93 (it only had one that wasn't broken). I was trying to arrange some assistance to try to install the torsion spring when the second one broke. I have reconsidered using the old torsion spring as evidently the metal in these springs fatigue over time. The boot lid is very heavy and isn't easy for me to lift. I haven't located new replacement torsion springs and it appears to be a major job to replace them and I would be doing the job by myself. I was looking for alternative methods to provide lift to the boot lid but the way it is design I don't know how to accomplish it. I was wondering if anyone else had encounter this issue with the torsion springs breaking and how they repaired it; either by replacing the torsion springs with new ones or providing lift to the lid using a different method. Currently I lift the lid up and then use a prop stick to keep the lid from crashing down on me; this has gotten rather old. Even if I could reduce the effort needed to lift the lid only partially it would be a big help.

I've heard that they break, but never seen or heard of an actual example of one breaking. You've gone and changed all of that.

Your best bet to support the trunk lid is new springs. I can't think of a practical alternative that wouldn't get in the way of the cargo.

The first one broke while I was inside of a shop buying groceries. Came out to put groceries in the back and the lid was heavy; it was raining and I had to hold the lid up with one hand and try to get the items out of the trolley into the car. The second one broke; lid down, while I was standing beside the car. I heard a loud bang and thought "what the heck was that?" I raised the bonnet/hood and didn't see anything. The next day I found out the second torsion bar spring had broke and was the source of the loud bang. I haven't been able to find new ones and I am leery of old ones from the salvage yard having seen three of these break. I may just continue with my prop stick.

Wow. Weird. I wonder if they went through something before you owned the vehicle.

Personally, I'd grab replacements out of the newest model year donor car of the make/model. Unless you damage them coming out, I bet they'd last forever.

A question: Before they broke, would they lift the trunk lid all the way up my themselves? . . . or just hold it open a little near the bottom and hold it all the way up if a human lifted it there?

They would hold the lid completely up. I am not sure when the first one broke. I went to get groceries and when I went to put them in the boot/trunk the lid didn't go up and I had to hold it with one hand (it still had one spring) and put the groceries in; it was raining as well so I couldn't use one hand to hold an umbrella. The second one broke with the lid down; I had just came home and was beside the car (engine off) when I heard a bang.

These appear to be difficult to replace; It almost appears as if the lid hinges have to be removed. Getting used ones from the latest year used might not be easy as a salvage yard might not want to pay a worker to remove them. There is only one salvage yard left in my area; I tried eBay but the ones on ebay are not for my car. I might keep looking but I am now nervous about these torsion bar springs since I have had three to break; one on the 93 and two on the 98. If one was to break again with me bent over inside, it could cause some serious hurt when the lid fell on me. If I replace them I will probably still use my prop stick just to be sure.

Still weird to me . . . but your plan makes sense!