hatch struts

[noslofiveoh]

what's the trick to getting the hatch struts off? i got the end off that hoos to the hatch, but i was wondering how to take off the ones that hook to the sail panel? theres not enuf room to pop it off the stud? do i have to unscrew the mount to remove it?

[4WDUTY]

One side of mine came off no sweat, the other side was a real PITA!

Don't know that there any tricks per say, other than to wiggle it and gently pry without scratching the paint. Good luck!!

[Travis T]

I've had to take the bracket off before too, it will probably keep you from scratching anything if you do.

[noslofiveoh]

that's what i was thinking, but i didn't wanna do that if i didn't have to...thanks

[4WDUTY]

Aren't the brackets rivteted or welded to the sail panel? I'm going from memory (which is getting worse every day.. lol) but I didn't think it was that easy.

[FoxChassis]

The brackets are screwed into the channel. One big-honking phillips screwdriver is needed.

[fredzilla]

Just pry up the little retaining clip on the shock
and wiggle it out..A second person holding the hatch
open is helpful.

[myler]

it seems when i did it the only way to get them off is to twist it one way and it should come off to the side sorta.

[Grimace5.0]

Just pry up the little retaining clip on the shock
and wiggle it out..A second person holding the hatch
open is helpful.
What he said^^^^

[Marz]

I just did this.....


I had a friend help me by holding the hatch (thanks Roge!). I then used a flat head screw driver to move the holding clip just enough to get the shock off the ball on the hatch. I then took out those screws holding the bottom part of the shock to the body and used the flathead screwdriver on that clip.

Your friend is mostlikely goign to get tired of holding that hatch... so... buy him a beer or two... or lunch... or something as a thank you. ;)

Or, you could use a broom stick... though that's a bit risky.

[noslofiveoh]

i havent gone back out to remove them completely yet, i onlyhave the passenger side that hooks to the hatch off so far....i'm not going ot worry about it till i get new struts for it, or get the ones off my 82 that work halfway decently still...but i used 2 2x2" stock cut to length to hold it up. i think i'll just take the screws out and remove it that way..it appears to be the easiest, and that way if the hatch decides it wants down i won't be under it or have my arm in there when it does...thanks for the responses everyone....ooh by the way, this isn't my 82GT, this is my newest edition....a virgin 83 gl, that i'm going to de-virginize the day i get the title swapped over...i can't wait to tear into this new tangerine machine

[Puter]

The secret is the clip.

[noslofiveoh]

yeah i found the clip, but once i get that, theres not enuf room for the strut to come off the stud.....i might just pull it to the side ant twist if off sideways, and pop it off