How do you remove the struts that hold the glass hatch up?
Too old to act my age
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Tulsa, Ok.
Some factory struts had the thread-in end on the top, not sure if they all came that way. If they are original, look for a clip that can be removed on the backside of the ball joint, if that is not present, you will need to use a wrench to unscrew the ball joint from the car body.
The hatch end just has an E-clip holding the pin in place.
The hatch end just has an E-clip holding the pin in place.
Last edited by Rogue_Wulff; Oct 19, 2005 at 01:31 PM. Reason: spullimg
Certified Old Fart
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Inkerman, On, South of Ottawa, the 2nd coldest Capital in the World
Easy - at least on an -se
I just changed one of mine a week ago. Circlip on the glass end, and unscrew (i think 10mm) the little post on the end in the car. Less than 5 minutes.
Just brace up the hatch well and carefully. If it drops, your head will find out real quick (don't ask).
You want Strongarm 2709. It comes with all the necessary attachments. If you're in Canada, they just changed the part number to 4709.
Just brace up the hatch well and carefully. If it drops, your head will find out real quick (don't ask).
You want Strongarm 2709. It comes with all the necessary attachments. If you're in Canada, they just changed the part number to 4709.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,932
Likes: 6
From: Surrounded by Sebey parts, Rhode Island
Originally Posted by Whanrow
I just changed one of mine a week ago. Circlip on the glass end, and unscrew (i think 10mm) the little post on the end in the car. Less than 5 minutes.
Just brace up the hatch well and carefully. If it drops, your head will find out real quick (don't ask).
You want Strongarm 2709. It comes with all the necessary attachments. If you're in Canada, they just changed the part number to 4709.
Just brace up the hatch well and carefully. If it drops, your head will find out real quick (don't ask).
You want Strongarm 2709. It comes with all the necessary attachments. If you're in Canada, they just changed the part number to 4709.
So this circlip thing... What do I do? Pop it with a screwdriver or something?
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Inkerman, On, South of Ottawa, the 2nd coldest Capital in the World
Originally Posted by $100T2
I don't need to replace 'em, they are basically brand new from the previous owner... I need to get to the plastic piece behind 'em.
So this circlip thing... What do I do? Pop it with a screwdriver or something?
So this circlip thing... What do I do? Pop it with a screwdriver or something?
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,932
Likes: 6
From: Surrounded by Sebey parts, Rhode Island
Is there a way to only undo the end that's not on the glass? I can't get a wrench into that spot at all. Does the glass end have to come off?
Joined: May 2002
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From: Ottawa, Soviet Canuckistan
Get a thinner wrench.. that's what I did. The wrenches from my super-cheap tool set were thin like that. You can push the plastic and pull the strut a little bit for that extra iota of clearance.
Check pawn shops, they usually charge pennies for one wrench.
Jon
Check pawn shops, they usually charge pennies for one wrench.
Jon
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Inkerman, On, South of Ottawa, the 2nd coldest Capital in the World
To answer your question, no you don't HAVE to take the glas end off. However it leaves the strut swinging around and for the sake of pulling off a little clip, just isn't worth the agravation to leave it on.
I had no trouble with and open end wrench getting to mine. If the struts have already been replaced, you may be able to take the end off without loosening the bolt on the body. I couldn't do that on the original strut, but could on the aftermarket one.
I had no trouble with and open end wrench getting to mine. If the struts have already been replaced, you may be able to take the end off without loosening the bolt on the body. I couldn't do that on the original strut, but could on the aftermarket one.
