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In-stock alternatives that can ship today
This replacement lid lifter hinge fits many different Thule rooftop cargo boxes.
Features:
Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Today we're going to review part number TH14936. This is the replacement dual force strut hinge. This part will fit the Thule Evolution cargo box and the Thule Atlantis cargo box. This is a hinge that's attached to the cargo box, and the way it attaches is on the cargo box, on the bottom of the cargo box there will be a ball socket. This will snap onto the ball socket at the bottom and on the top lid of the cargo box will be another ball socket. This top part of hinge will snap onto that.
It is used when you open your cargo box. This is spring loaded so it will open. It has spring tension onto it. That should do it for part number H14936.
Average Customer Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars (527 Customer Reviews)
This replacement lid lifter hinge fits many different Thule rooftop cargo boxes.
Good replacement part but a pain to install. Had to use C-clamps and considerable force to press it on. Recommend installing the hinge while the Thule cargo box is off the vehicle.
Easy install, perfect swap for OEM. Thank you!
TIP: I used a vise clamp to slowly squeeze the new hinge onto the ball joint. It doesn't take much pressure to make it pop on.
5 Stars to etrailer. These fit a THULE SUMMIT 631 Box.
I finally got around to installing these new strut hinges on my THULE SUMMIT 631 Box.
The struts arrived within a few days to my drop off location in Lewiston NY and I came across the border from Canada to pick them up. I could NOT find any replacements anywhere in Canada.
One of the originals cracked after 20plus years. The replacement hinges are slightly longer than the original (see picture. New on left, old on right), but work just fine. They look like they are a lot more robust design than the original.
One thing to note is that the originals do not have the the little spigot shaft containing the ball socket, whereas the new ones have that little shaft containing the socket (which you can see in the picture). I was concerned about this being an issue for installation as a direct replacement. However, this means the thick part of the hinge is lower on the right side and the thick part is on the top side when installing on the left side of the box. It has no impact on the functionality or the installation.
To remove the old struts, I just used a nail pry bar (supported by a thin piece of wood) to pop off the old struts. To install the new struts, I used a bar clamp (supported by a thicker piece of wood to distribute the force on the ball side). See Pics.
Just a tip to fill the sockets with a bit of white lithium grease before installation, and make sure the central of the street pivot is always pointing forward, towards to open side of the box. I made the mistake of having the centre point point to the back (hinge side) and they kept popping off the balls, so I had to reverse them.
Anyway, all is good and I'm happy to have my box back in action.
etrailer did an excellent job following up on the delivery. I wish they were in Canada. Highly recommended.
etrailer is the BEST! Their e-mail communication is above par- confirming the order, checking the availability, estimating delivery date, following up after the order was delivered. Tech support is also outstanding. Mike L. had great suggestions for installation. etrailer's product video doesn't say much for installation, but there are many videos and reviewers on the Internet with several ways to install. I cleaned the mounts with Bar Keeper's Friend, thoroughly rinsed and dried, applied white lithium grease, and used a C-clamp (around 3" with enough clearance for the lid) and a block of wood on the outside, and the new lid lifter popped right on my Thule Evolution cargo box, even in 30-degree weather.
This is the second hinge I have purchased; in my Thule box they seem to last precisely one year. When the original hinge snapped a year ago I purchased my first replacement hinge from etrailer and I have just installed the second replacement hinge. From what I can tell this part is identical to the Thule OEM hinge.
I don't fault etrailer for this issue -- the hinge is just not strong enough for the front support of an x-large Thule box. When our box is opened and closed it is a bit of a floppy operation and my sense is that the torque placed on the front hinge eventually causes it to snap. The attached picture shows the break (the first one broke in the same place last year). Note that the hinge you are purchasing does not have the threaded metal insert that receives the mounting screw. You will have to remove the two inserts from the old hinge and insert them into the new. The metal insert is held in place by a raised rib that fits into a groove inside the plastic cylinder of the hinge. To remove the inserts I used a hacksaw to deeply score the plastic cylinder and then used a hammer and chisel to splinter it and break it off. To install the insert it into the new hinge gently hammer it in until the collar of the metal insert finds its groove in the plastic cylinder -- it doesn't need to be hammered all of the way in and should rotate somewhat freely.
A couple of years ago someone gave me their older Thule Evolution (I think) ski box. It fits the factory bars on my 2005 Ford Explorer, although it slides around just a bit, which I've reduced with some bungee cords.
This winter, one of the hinges popped off the socket and was obviously too worn to stay on. I limped through the winter with one hinge because I wasn't sure what box I had and, therefore, which hinge to replace it with. A query on the etrailer.com website got me a simple answer (if it has a white piece in the middle, order this one [TH14936] for a long box - if not, order TH14933 for a short box).
The part came quickly and I watched the installation videos. However, I didn't quite have the right tool (tongue and groove plier), I borrowed a screw clamp from a neighbor (below). This, along with a block of wood to protect the outside of the box, was the perfect tool to get the socket of the hinge over the ball joint. I also used a hair dryer to heat the plastic up a bit, but I'm not sure how much that helped.
Nothing but great things to say about etrailer.com's help determining the right product, their prices, or the speed of their inexpensive shipping. Thanks!
Direct replacement for my Thule cargo box. After 12 months, it’s holding up well.
I have an Thule Atlantas 1800XT roof box. Recently one of the hinges broke. I found the price for replacement parts at Etrailer to be the best on the web. I ordered my product on Monday morning and had the part in my hand by Wednesday mid day.
One suggestion I have for installing the part. The etrailer site does have a video on easiest way to install. My box is slightly different and unless you have a pair of channel locks with an 8" reach then that wont work. Using brute force didn't work for me, neither did tapping it with a hammer. I grabbed my wife's blow dryer and set it to hot, I blew hot air on the plastic 'female' end of the part for about 3 minutes. After that it very easily snapped in.
Just as an FYI the spring in the replacement part is way stronger that what was originally in my box. Fortunately I had ordered 2. If your box is more than a few years old and you need to replace one hinge... go ahead and replace them both at the same time.
Bought for a busted hinge on my Thule Force xl…great product, saved me from having to by a new box. Easy to order and arrived quickly. Used the trigger clamp process to attach new hinge and it worked great!
Hinge is standard Thule replacement part. Usually these types of items are bagged in a plastic bag. But the item was covered by a UPS sticker. So there’s adhesive paper on the product. Very annoying to remove.
Luckily it goes inside the box, so I won’t see it. But it’s a mood killer.
The part fit perfectly, and my ski box lid operates as new.
Excellent customer service. Had an issue with the initial replacement part and the service reps were able to replace in the defective item in a timely matter. Thank you!
Stacey was great and very professional! The product was what we needed and arrived on time.I will definitely order from etrailer.com again!
Thank you
Perfect fit. Strong, quality part and etrailer was super helpful confirming that it’s the right part for my older Thule box.
This worked perfect and installation was pretty easy.
We received the hinges quickly, they were exactly as advertised, fit onto our roof box easily, and have worked perfectly ever since.
website is easy to find and verify parts for older Thule products.
I was thankful the e-trailer had the part in stock that allowed me to replace it and get my cargo box working properly!
Product delivered as described and allowed me to extend the life on my Thule Cargo Box instead of heading to a landfill. Lots of destination stickers on that box and it tells the story of our travels over many years. Hard to part with that history so I am very happy the Thule is still on the road with us.
Frank G.
3/27/2023
Working great! No issues. lift replacement has extended the life of my Thule box.
The hinge is the correct item, but I was dismayed that it doesn't come with the Allen bolt or the support tube cylinder, as it is useless without those items. I had already ordered a hinge to replace my broken one from Thule and had to cut out the support tube cylinder from my broken hinge with a grinder in order to make the repair. I have now purchased the hinge, cylinder and bolt from you so that I have all three for the time when my second hinger breaks. Thank you for stocking all three items.
Quality replacement part. Easy install. No issues in over a year.
Lid hinge was a perfect fit and function normally.
Marc
12/12/2023
Excellent - how we wanted.
Unfortunately, I find that I have to replace to part almost 1x a year. Often 2x. No other choice if I don't want or can't replace to the box. Not sure if this piece is just poorly made but I have not seen any other options.
Exact replacement for broken hinge on my Thule Cargo Box (Force 625). The box was never easy to close and still isn't. Wouldn't be surprised if the new hinge eventually breaks as well. Time will tell. Needed a rubber mallet to seat it on the ball joints.
I purchased a special tool/clamp to install the hinge and it works perfectly.
Chris
11/15/2023
Still working great. I plan to use the topper for XC Ski season and travel. New hinge is holding strong
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Carlos
6/14/2024
A year later, I havent thought about this product since I bought it. Thats the highest compliment I can think of for a functional piece like a hinge. Thank you!