I think we've all been there....broom stick, 2x4, your head, your head again. Damn lift glass cylinders!! Hmmm Victoria British lists "Except with rear wiper".
Ahhh I know...I'll use the handy little search feature we have.
Ok...so after some reading and very good posts, all I needed was #4709 Strong Arm brand lift prop. I didn't want to molest the right side with the wiring for the wiper and try to keep that part looking original. I ordered only one for the left side and it stays up great. $15.95 + shipping from Parts America.
Does not appear to have any glass twisting or pressure points on hinges etc....but suggest when closing is to apply the pressure on the center and side replaced.

 

So let me get this straight...

You searched.

You found your answer.

And then you created a thread to tell us about it?

Do you see anything wrong with this picture?

 

Yeah well...I would have got flamed for bringing a old thread back to life again. Thats why I added (hatch props) to the title so anyone that was not having that problem wouldn't read it.

 

I think you found my thread : P
I've had the Strong Arm struts for a good while now and they're working great with my wipered hatch..

 

I don't see anything wrong with this picture. More info is good.

 

Replacing only the left prop while still using the worn-out right one with the wiper wiring works just fine--- unless you live in the colder climes. I tried just that with my '85 GSL. Ordered the single hatch prop from Mazdatrix only to find that it only held the hatch up (for more than about one minute) on days where the ambient temp was above 70F. Any cooler and it would begin to drop (picking up speed on the way down), and below freezing it came down like a ******* anvil.

I ultimately went back to the original worn-out shock with the hand-made metal prop that is attached to it and slips between the upper and lower halves when extended. The new (barely used) Strong Arm unit I purchased (for $42 U.S. + shipping + $30 ***-raping from UPS "brokerage fee") is now for sale. $30 U.S. including shipping.

 

I replaced both hatch struts with the afformentioned struts, and they work fantastically.

Best $30 I have spent in a long time. They were quick to replace, too!

 

Replacing both rather than just one would (should) work, even in colder climes. BTW, where did you get two of these for $30 (Mazdatrix charges $42 each), and were they new or used?

 

I picked up a pair of the Strong Arms for $35 with tax from my local Advanced Auto Parts and swapped both of the struts in 5 minutes. I mean, it wasn't difficult to swap them; so, why not take the extra 2 minutes and swap both of them? I don't have the hatch wiper, btw.

 

Sounds like Mazdatrix is using Mazda's pricing system because the one I have is definitely the Strong Arm brand. I do have the wiper on mine so buying two wasn't an option, although I'm sure I could rig up the wiring in such a way that it would work with the regular shock. The installation process is a breeze, especially considering I'm used to working on both cars and aircraft.

 

are the 4709s a pair? I couldn't figure out where you guys find the struts for 35 bux. I punched it in on the partsamerica website and they are listed as 37.99, and I'm assuming i need two?

Thanks,

Alvin

 

the $42 I paid Mazdatrix was for a single shock.

 

A local O'reilly store quoted me $21 each, while the Autozone 1 block away quoted me $32 each. Any guess which one will get my money?

 

i don't know if anyone has thought about this or not .. but i think that i'll be a great idea ... why don't we use the same idea as on wind doors (having a little piece of metal to hold it open) wouldn't that work and prob be the cheapest way to go ... heck if we do a custom group buy i'll prob not even cost a buck a piece and we'll prob last for ever. Or am i just totally out of line?

 

I bought a set on PartsAmerica.com for $39.69 last September.

 

If you would have REALLY searched, you would have found THIS thread.



You can remove the ends on the Strong Arm struts. Cut the end of the stock strut off and you can remove the electrical part. Then attach it to the new strut adn replace the end. Install as normal.

 

um... you talking to me? I knew the struts would work, i'm just wondering where people were buying them for 15 bux each?

Alvin

 

Nah... Local parts store has em for $25-$30 a pop... I was talking to these people who are replacing one shock because they want to retain their rear wiper.