Where to buy rear hatch struts?
 

I am having a problem locating a vendor that sells the hatch struts for my '85 SE equipped with the rear window wiper? Does anybody know where I can purchase these two struts from? Company name, link, phone number, anything?

Thanks,

Mike

I'm willing to bet www.victoriabritish.com has them... I don't have a catalog handy, but it's probably the best place to start.

Most everyone has these struts for the non-wiper model, but the ones for "with wiper" are practically extint. I have seen many people post about using the non-wiper strut, and getting "creative" about the wiper wiring. That's really all that differs between them.

On my SE, I ordered StrongArm brand #4709 from PartsAmerica....15.95 IIRC and only replaced the left side. Works fine...no problems.

shocks
 

Victoria British does not have the ones for the window with wiper motor.

On a side note, what's the easiest way to get the shocks off? Seems like a tight fit for a wrench.

What do you guys think is the best solution?

Buy the non-wiper versions and twist the wiring around the strut?

Buy the left side only (like the strongarm product)?

What a pain in the neck.

Mike

i cant help you there... SA for me... but i do know that i am getting them from advanced auto
my old ones are so bad that thright one is spewing fluid ont my new carpet so i have to get rid of them soon!

Yes, buy the non-wiper supports. If you have absolutley no assist at all from the right side, then buy 2.

A little stiffer one for the left side should be just fine. I did the same with the glass canopy hatch on my old truck because I couldn't find 2 of the right strength.

Luckily mine stays up on its own with the stock struts

I did the same thing. I only replaced the left side and it stays open on its own. No more broomstick flying around the cargo area!

Andy

RXRox is on the right path. The StrongArm brand #4709 are great AND they come with a lifetime warranty! I'm on my second set that were a free exchange. The instructions that came with my set included how to attach the harness connections off the wiper assy! It would mean probably cutting off the bottom (rear) end of the original strut to remove the harness hardware. (I have an SA so I haven't actually done this). As far As removal goes, I believe its a 10mm on the front (body) ball/pivot attachment. I had to give mine a firm tap with a rubber mallet (referring to the wrench!) to loosen it. A nice thing about the Strong Arm unit is the attaching point to the front ball pivot is a nifty clip-on-style fitting, making furture removals a snap because you don't need to wrench out the bal socket again.
Stu Aull
80GS

I just replaced both struts on my '84 SE (which has the rear wiper.) Strong Arm from Advance Auto works great. It was relatively easy to follow their instructions are re-use the old wiring and connectors. But you don't have to cut any of the old strut apart to remove the wiring.....the top of the strut unscrews. You just have to get a good grip on both the stainless steel plunger and the U-shaped bracket on top. Just give it a good twist. The Strong Arm's unscrew the same way. Just be careful you don't scratch the plunger on the new strut.

Here is where I got mine. They are $15.94 + S&H! Not to bad.

Thanks guys for the help, I need it! :D

Looks like they might of gone up in price?

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...artnumber=4709

Now, do I purchase the left and right, or just the left? It sounds like they are not a direct fit, are they a universal strut? I take it from the responses above that the installation is not too difficult?

Mike

Would anybody know if the two Strong-arm struts will hold up louvers in the non-wiper unit?
im still debating wheather to put my louvers on or not...

^ ^ ^

I don't know why they wouldn't. I assume you have the louvers, so, put them on and tell us if they hold up! :bigthumb:

louvers.... whered you get them From?
U Wrench It- well now Pick n pull?

I used a 10 or 11 mm wrench.

I also got the StrongArm 4709 from NAPA. AutoValue and Canadian Tire also had them or could get them in day.

I Got the louvers from my dad. He got them from Mazda back in '78. (He has the 79 model but got it in 78 so yes I do know what I'm talking about). I just don't want to buy the struts if it won't support those extremely heavy louvers. They are pretty cheap right now so I'll probably try it out anyway, and let you guys know.