How to remove rear hatch struts?

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J

JETTIX2

Joined
Jun 4, 2006
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50
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I ordered a set of replacement rear hatch / gate struts but can't figure out how to get the lower "ball" style joint to release. It doesn't have any visible C-clip or pin to release it. I searched and can't find any concrete answer for a 100 series.

Anybody have any hints?

04 Lx470.
 
Remove the body bolt first, then remove the two on the door. Pretty simple.

Make sure someone is holding the door for you so it doesn't bump you in the head :)

Attached PDF is from 04 LX FSM.
 

Attachments

Thank you for the diagram. Problem is that My replacement strut didn't come with a new "ball", just the socket that is on the strut. The upper one is fine (two screws that go on with the bracket). So how do I separate the ball from the socket on the lower mounting point? Even if I could unthread the ball from the body of the truck I need to separate it from the strut so I can reuse the ball
 
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JETTIX2 said:
Thank you for the diagram. Problem is that My replacement strut didn't come with a new "ball", just the socket that is on the strut. The upper one is fine (two screws that go on with the bracket). So how do I separate the ball from the socket on the lower mounting point? Even if I could unthread the ball from the body of the truck I need to separate it from the strut so I can reuse the ball
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I removed the bolt as suggested and then used a hacksaw to make a groove in the old strut's socket. There is a small clip inside that prevents the ball from pulling out. I was able to grab the clip with some needlenose and pull it out. Then the ball will fall out.
 
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Open-ended wrench to get the struts off the truck.

Depending on where you bought them, the balljoint that mounts to the body/hatch should be included. I ordered from Lift Supports Depot and all hardware was included.

If I recall there's no easy way to separate the OEM balljoint and strut. The new ones I got were separate parts and can be separated again by pulling on the little clip in the cup.
 
Found the "ball" stuck in bottom of box, so removed factory ball with an open ended wrench and replaced. Easy!!
 
landylover21 said:
Open-ended wrench to get the struts off the truck.

Depending on where you bought them, the balljoint that mounts to the body/hatch should be included. I ordered from Lift Supports Depot and all hardware was included.

If I recall there's no easy way to separate the OEM balljoint and strut. The new ones I got were separate parts and can be separated again by pulling on the little clip in the cup.
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Which Strong Arm Model are you running? On the depot site, two model numbers pop up with different compressed lengths. 6781L-R & PM1047. Thanks in advance.
 
Old thread new reply. What size wrench to get the post off the hatch? A 12 mm seems loose. Also they seem to be in there pretty firmly. My next step is to grab my line wrenches and give one of them a try. And an 11mm is too small and I don’t seem to have an English size on hand that fits but I don’t usually keep to many of those around.
 
I just replaced mine with a set off of Amazon recommended by someone on here for ~$21 and 10min of my time. Easy install (12mm worked just fine) and makes a world of difference in popping the hatch up when released. I actually have to pull it down now instead of tapping it.
 
Seth S said:
Old thread new reply. What size wrench to get the post off the hatch? A 12 mm seems loose. Also they seem to be in there pretty firmly. My next step is to grab my line wrenches and give one of them a try. And an 11mm is too small and I don’t seem to have an English size on hand that fits but I don’t usually keep to many of those around.
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12mm is just fine. Take your time and support the hatch as high as you can to relive pressure from the bolts as you remove them.
 
If you got them from our store yes they come with the studs, they will be in the box somewhere. I know some other brands don't come with studs but usually you can reuse the ones already on your rig or buy some that fit, but I prefer knowing everything is compatible out of the box.
 
I replaced the heavy hatch struts on the minivan by myself and had a 6 foot ladder with a rolled up yoga mat on top of the ladder as a cushion to hold up the hatch
 
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