How to remove liftgate strut retainer ring

[krashe]

Replacing the liftgate struts on my '88 FJ62 and need to get the old ones off. There are little retainer clips in the joint. I can NOT figure out what magic trick there is to remove them.

Any ideas?

Buying new mounts is an option I guess, but dam it Jim I own a dremel and I'm not afraid to use it!

 

[Lewy]

I believe that I used a pick and a small screwdriver. It's been a couple of years but I don't remember it being very difficult.

Welcome to Mud.

 

[rusty_tlc]

I believe that I used a pick and a small screwdriver. It's been a couple of years but I don't remember it being very difficult.

Welcome to Mud.

X2 a dental pic and a small flat blade screw driver.
I think I have the NAPA part numbers for the struts I used to replace the OEM if you need them.

 

[Black Op]

https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/26702-60s-hydrolic-arm-rear-hatch.html

This is the link on mud. I recently purchased the McMaster Carr ones and it was very easy. I just unscrewed the OEM struts and then installed the screw in studs and then popped on the struts. Half a

 

[Black Op]

job

 

[BG_TX]

I cut mine out as well... the replacements I purchased came with everything needed, all of the old items were tossed.

 

[Heckraiser]

I just mangled them with a grinder

Side note, I replaced them with some struts from VatoZone that had the same extended and collapsed length, as close as I could measure. But they somehow pushed the lift gate up on it's hinges and it now doesn't latch. The whole lift gate seems to sit about 1/4" too high. I just left it as-is because my friend took a good wallup to the head when the lift gate was propped up with an axe handle. But there is a fair amount of exhaust coming in the cab, so I gotta figure out what's going on soon. Any thoughts?

 

[Black Op]

I did not have to cut mine. They unscrewed fairly easy.

 

[NYNick]

McMaster Carr, like $30 for both...a little short however, like 1"

Reid supply has the correct size...return the other ones.

 

[krashe]

Thanks for your help! The dental pick was the idea I needed.

Fashioned these out of medium size safety pins and was able to get one edge up then get a very small screwdriver tip under it and work my way around while holding the ring up with the hooky doodle tools. Like taking a tire off a bicycle.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Thanks for your help! The dental pick was the idea I needed.

Fashioned these out of medium size safety pins and was able to get one edge up then get a very small screwdriver tip under it and work my way around while holding the ring up with the hooky doodle tools. Like taking a tire off a bicycle.

That could be a picture of how I did it

 

[Moab60]

I had to start an account to say THANK YOU! Another "5-minute" cruiser project that could have frustrated me for hours if not for the expert advice from previously frustrated people. Dental picks and a good pair of needle nose pliers did the trick.