THats it, i've had it.

I need new gas struts for the rear hatch.

I just can't take it any more, working on the rear compartment, and having to hold the hatch up w/ my back or my head.

Where can i get struts that work WITH a rear windshield wiper? VB only sells one for Non-rear wiper hatches....

Thanks guys!!

Geoff

 

I'm not sure that you can...

Some people have reported being able to just replace the driver's side and have it work. Others have found ways to remove the electricla components from the existing strut...

Finally, you can run long dangling wires or make some kinda retract mechanism and a reel for the wire...

 

nah... just go to o'riley's and get a single one for the passenger side. It was like $10 and has worked great for 2 years so far on my GSLSE. PITA to install though.

 

I had same problem, got knots on my noggin to prove it.

Go to advanced auto, I forget the exact number, but they have it or can get it overnight, about $15. Replaces only the drivers side one, its all you need.
Works great!

 

StrongArm Part #4709 (IIRC)
Just replace the driver side, that's what I did last year and it still holds great!

If you want to check the exact part# then do a search for Strongarm...

 

got a strongarm myself... replaced both sides. easy to do and they work great! i don't have a wiper, but i do have louvres and not a prob holding them up. once i lift the hatch about 6 inches, the supports do the rest.

 

Try Auto Zone buy the one that is for non-wiper and just put it on the drivers side that is what I did works great no probs with install just is a little bit longer than OEM. I've got an 85 GSL with the wiper

 

sweet thanks guys! Too bad there isnt an auto zone anywhere near my place!

 

You could just get rid of the rear wiper. It looks dumb anyway.

 

Try a stick Happens at work all the time, ever had a camaro hood bang you in the head, i was SO PISSED!

 

This is sort of related: who here has gotton the VB shocks? I did, and they seem to be way to stiff. Its actually pretty difficult to get the damn thing shut, I'm kinda afraid that it will cause stress on the hatch and eventually break it. Anyone else have ultra stiff shocks?

 

Mine are stiff as hell, i got them from advance auto about 2 years ago... Hasnt hurt a damn thing.. You ought to see how much 3 JL Audio 12w's flex the glass.. I doubt shocks will ever hurt it.

 

Ok cool, just seems like its too stiff, which is still better than it falling all the time

 

Strong Arm at advance all the way...replaced mine a while ago and are strong as hell, so strong they once "exploded" one of the hinges, but it looked as if it had once been repaired with plaster or something. Big white cloud of dust, real odd.

I would replace both to prevent any sort of racking or stress. I have an SE with wiper and the strong arm works fine. Just use heat shrink tubing or zip ties to hold the wire to the strut.

Right on.

 

Piece of electrical conduit, cut to length. Still holds up the hatch

 

i use a 1.5 inch peice of wooden dowel about 2.5-3 ft long to hold mine up. Works like a charm untill you bump it with your arm and wake up a couple minutes later.

 

I had that same dowel in my hatch painted black to blen in... A buck ninety-nine at wal mart and your in business

 

yep you know exactly what im talking about, BTW it serves another purpose as well, beating stick, (when you cant get your bat)

 

I still go with my trusty multi-car hatch support.

 

LMAO

 

Ok, i have bought some from advanced auto parts. i thought that they wouldn't work with the rear wiper but the fork part just screws off and you can install the wires. they only cost me 15 bucks a piece. oh yeah i had to cut the old one to get the wires off and don't go with just one because it is super easy to get both on there.

 

Also work great for bad hood struts too...

I've had too many fall on my head at the shop... And to think people spend extra cash on the little **** clamp dudes that go on there.

 

Felix you beat me to it! I use a pocket leatherman that has a locking plyer.

But I just picked up a set of used struts from a boneyard today that still have great pressure.

Maybe these would work for you? $25 per at JC Whitney:

JC Whitney RX-7 gas struts

Strider

 

Strongarm was discontinued for our cars months ago. I tried to order it through a store and the manufacturer came back with a big "uh-uh".

 

Try Carquest, they had alot in stock when I bought mine.