Hatch Strut replacement tips?

[C4ME]

Any advice as I am diving in to the replacement? Looks simple enough, but do not want to be surprized.

Thanks
Joe

 

[Moonunit 451]

Simple task Joe, do one at a time and use a seprate support in the middle of the hatch, it weighs a TON! If your defroster cables aren't trashed be careful not to wreck em

 

[Tuna]

Ditto.
They are easy to replace. The clips on each end are easy enough to remove and the new ones just pop back on. Use a little care disconnecting the defroster wires so you don't break them and by all means get an extra support to hold that hatch up - broom handle or friend.

 

[C4ME]

Moonunit,
Two things. I like your avatar do-hicky. Also, I did have a question about the defroster and your statement sparked the memory. Both of my wires that attach to the window are broken, but still on the struts. Do you know if you can just solder them back on to the braided wire stuff on the window? I am afraid that this may damage...break the glass as the temp gets up there to solder. Help.

Joe

 

[jnj]

Use vice grip pliers to clamp one side while replacing the other. That glass weigh a ton. As above watch the connectors for the defroster. Chances are if you bought aftermarket struts, the connection will be on the top side.

 

[tlong]

Use a small flat blade screwdriver to pry the little metal clips up just a little. There's a slot for that ...it releases the ball from the socket. If you pry too far it comes flying off usually in your face or the nearest impossible to find region of your work area. Then just push them back on. DEFINITELY get a prop in the middle.

You should be able to solder that braided wire back, just don't overdo the heat. Its soldered onto the copper strip in the first place. Make sure it has the little black rubber doughnuts on it, and yes there is a left and right for stock GM ones. Then show off the new hydraulics for all to gawk at.

 

[C4ME]

Yes, I was wondering where the notion of the left and right came from as I had seen that in some literature. The pair that I bouhgt do not appear to be left or right nor marked as such. I will look again before I start.
The two on the car do not have the clips, but a socket setup which I have not quite figured out yet. The aftermarket johnnies have the clip do-dads.
I did notice the rubber bumps mentioned and noted that I will need those on my new set.
Thanks very much for all the help and advice. It sure helps to build the confidence as one approaches the task.

Joe

 

[tlong]

Make sure you've bought the right year replacements. They may be specific.

Again...fashion a prop that cannot be knocked out accidently while working on this. Secure to the latch in the middle of the window with tape or bungie to the point of absurdity. Personal injury is assured and breakage of the $1200 glass hatch is possible if it torques.

Have fun, this is easy.

 

[Moonunit 451]

Moonunit,
Two things. I like your avatar do-hicky. Also, I did have a question about the defroster and your statement sparked the memory. Both of my wires that attach to the window are broken, but still on the struts. Do you know if you can just solder them back on to the braided wire stuff on the window? I am afraid that this may damage...break the glass as the temp gets up there to solder. Help.

Joe

Thanks Joe! I tried to solder mine without luck, although I know it can be done, may have had the wrong solder or something. But, there is stuff, some kinda glue that you can buy at most auto parts stores that I've been told works very well.

I think my original shocks didn't have the clips either and I pried them off with a screwdriver.

 

[SKIP780]

maybe you dont need to replace those cartridges. mine worked bad-squeeked going up and was hard to go down. was afraid id break the window. well i just put some motor oil on the strut rods and it works like new. try this first and maybe youll save some time and $$$.

 

[oldace84]

IM me!

OK!

 

[C4ME]

maybe you dont need to replace those cartridges. mine worked bad-squeeked going up and was hard to go down. was afraid id break the window. well i just put some motor oil on the strut rods and it works like new. try this first and maybe youll save some time and $$$.

Turns out I got my replacement struts at AdvanceAuto parts for $30 each so $60 + tax for the pair. Well worth the cost as my drivers side strut was worthless. Now, the hatch jumps open; whereas, before I had to pry it up with my fingers.

I still have not soldered the leads for the defroster back, that is for another day. I did find out that the aftermarket set that I bought seem not to be side specific and thought that this would be problematic. Drivers side was find as the terminal blade for the defroster connector at the window was inboard. Problem was that the passenger side was identical making the terminal outboard. Does not seem to touch the side when I close the hatch so all seems well, but I would be more comfortable with it inboard and there does not seem to be a way to swap the terminal inboard.

Anyway, they work and the cost was 1/2 of the popular outlets for vette parts.

Thanks again all for the ditties of advice.

Joe