paalos new car has these hatch strut support things that work great. they even take the load of his louvres fine. plus they are way cheaper than new struts hehe
http://www.jcwhitney.com/productnoit...=65926&BQ=jcw2
im gonna get a few just to ensure that my struts dont go out on me

 

At $9 plus shipping, they are not way cheaper then a strut. I have found them on sale or clearance for $10. And you only need one unless you have louvers. I bought two and one will do the job even on my GSL w/wiper.

 

im gonna buy a few cause we happen to have a few fb's around
yeah one does the trick even on his car with the heavy louvres
next time you see em on sale or clearance post it up manm!

 

I am sorry, I do not make myself clear at times.

I meant that I have found the struts themselves. Not that particular type of support, but aftermarket generic hatch struts. I picked up a couple on clearance at a local parts store for $5 per. Thought I would need two but it turns out one will do the job. So i had 2 cars worth.

 

Yeah, i bought generics... why pay $30 a strut?

 

I found some under the "strongarm" brand that has a model to fit the FB... so I ordered some through the aprts supplier, waited 3 weeks, then was told they discontinued that model.

 

I replaced one on my -SE with one from Autozone or wherever and it's worked for a year + so far....

I think it was about $10

 

Can you transfer over the rear wiper switch mechanism? Looks like you can, then shrinkwrap the wire into place, but when I tried spinning off the ends of the struts from my parts car the soft metal just chewed and tore.

 

the best solution for rear wiper controls is to get coiled electrical wire that look like a phone cord. wheres kerry when we need him? he knows where to get it from
i think its for power tools specifically if i find it i'll post it up

also when you replace struts its best to replace em both at the same time so you dont stress the hinges or wear out the struts fast imo

 

I bought the strong arm model about a year or so ago...two of em, GSL-SE with wiper and they fit and work just fine. You need to transfer over the doohickey piece of crap (another weak Mazda design, oil cooler, rear view) switch, but it fits. Though mine was already broken (weak design) so that might have helped.

I hope they didn't discontinue. Mine should be good for a while though, StrongArm seem like the best.

I would always replace in pairs or you risk getting a "racking" effect on the hatch, which could stress the hinges. I had a hinge "explode" on me once...literally. Apparently the previous owner had fixed it with bondo or plaster or something, it busted and a huge cloud of smoke went flying with a good pop...scared the **** out of me and I was "WTF?"

Oh what fun.

Right on.

 

the problem with the 'phone cord' solution, Gamble, is the switch is there to deactivate the rear wiper when the hatch is open.

Brownmound, how did you spin off the ball cups @ each end of the struts? And did you heatshrink the switch wire to the new strut?

 

Do you need to? I can't remember, but don't the new StrongArm struts have the ***** with them? Hmm I will have to look to be certain. I think they did, you just undid the old ones (hex base) and put the new ones on, then the Struts snap on, and a cap locks them on.

I did buy heatshrink for the new ones, but never installed it. I'm sure it would work, but I just used black ZIP ties...maybe three of em...works and looks fine.

I'll take a look to jog my memory and let you know.

Right on.

 

The cord is available from Grainger. I never realized it disabled the wiper when the hatch opened. Shouldn't really be necessary, though. The key has to be on, and it wouldn't really hurt it to run open anyway.

Kerry

 

I took a look and no memory was jogged (I've done a lot of "partying" between then and now). Sorry dude. If it helps the "*****" of the ball joints are brass colored, so maybe different than stock? I dunno. You sure StrongArm discontinued the proper model?

And dude a Smilie on the left is checkin' me out. Freaky.

Right on.

 

My solution:

 

hahaha nice felix

 

Thats what i currently use too. I just ordered a pair of struts from victoria british so once they come, out go the vice grips.