Method for the installation of an apparatus for spring-assisted swinging of a liftgate or door in a vehicle

A method for installation of an apparatus for spring-assisted swinging of a liftgate or door in opposition to a gravity force between a closed position and an open position on a body of a vehicle, with the apparatus including a spring energy store and a tracker which is coupled to the spring energy store for influencing a torque generated by the spring energy store, wherein a coupling rod associated with the liftgate or door and articulated on the body of the vehicle is rotatably actuated by a hinge lever of the tracker, said method comprising the steps of:

• before installing the apparatus on the body of the vehicle, defining an installation position of the liftgate or door in the vehicle, wherein the installation position is intermediate between the closed position and the open position and corresponds to a position where a maximum counter torque is applied to the liftgate or door when the liftgate or door is subsequently installed on the body of the vehicle;
• temporarily locking the coupling rod of the tracker in a prestressed position corresponding to the installation position;
• holding the liftgate or door in the open position or in an intermediate position above the installation position;
• mounting the apparatus on the body of the vehicle and connecting the hinge lever to a marginal zone of the liftgate or door;
• lowering the liftgate or door from the open position or intermediate position into the installation position;
• connecting the coupling rod to the hinge lever;
• and
• releasing the coupling rod from the locked position.