02 Liftgate Support

[hosmer79]

Went to replace my lift gate supports when I was told it was the same for both sides when I realized there's no way it can be the same support. The connection on the end needs to be rotated 180° from one to the other. Autozone and Advanced Auto both only have one part number listed for them though. Anyone know where I can get a RH (passenger side) other than the dealer? Dealer wants $53! when I got the left one from Autozone for $18. Thanks for any help guys as this is my first time posting here. Just got back into an 02 explorer limited after owning a 03 XLT 6 years ago.

 

[Curtis]

Went to replace my lift gate supports when I was told it was the same for both sides when I realized there's no way it can be the same support. The connection on the end needs to be rotated 180° from one to the other. Autozone and Advanced Auto both only have one part number listed for them though. Anyone know where I can get a RH (passenger side) other than the dealer? Dealer wants $53! when I got the left one from Autozone for $18. Thanks for any help guys as this is my first time posting here. Just got back into an 02 explorer limited after owning a 03 XLT 6 years ago.

Just rotate one end of the support until it faces the opposite direction and you should be good to go.

 

[hosmer79]

I tried but neither end was able to be turned or adjusted.

 

[Curtis]

I tried but neither end was able to be turned or adjusted.

New supports can be very stiff, try a little harder. I was able to rotate one on the last set I bought.

 

[Curtis]

Oh.. and welcome to the board...!

just curious... did the dealer show a left and right? 2 part numbers?

 

[hosmer79]

Ford Motorcraft and the dealer sell a LH and RH one. I tried for a little bit to turn one end of the support lift but didn't go as far as putting it in a vise and crank it. Not sure if they're just press fit on to the ends or if there's any kind of physical connection inside the support holding it in place. They really should be able to rotate around 360° seeing it would probably help relieve some of the stress on them. Oh well Replacing one made a big difference at least.

 

[Curtis]

Ford Motorcraft and the dealer sell a LH and RH one. I tried for a little bit to turn one end of the support lift but didn't go as far as putting it in a vise and crank it. Not sure if they're just press fit on to the ends or if there's any kind of physical connection inside the support holding it in place. They really should be able to rotate around 360° seeing it would probably help relieve some of the stress on them. Oh well Replacing one made a big difference at least.

It would not be the first time Autozone was wrong
especially if Ford shows 2 part numbers...
And you right, you should not have to put them in a vice to rotate it.

Sorry I could not help.

 

[hosmer79]

Not a problem! Thanks for the thoughts. It just seems odd that everywhere I look for parts for this list the same one being used on both sides but the dealer lists LH and RH. Oh well. I'll either pay the $53 or live with just one doing most of the work! I thought I'd get away from the confusion of finding parts when I sold my Audi!

 

[mhamric]

Take a look at http://www.rockauto.com, after navigating to your make/model/year in the search type in lift gate or look at the Body Exterior then Lift Support. They have a few different ones in there, but the ones I spotted for the rear range in price from $13 - 20 + shipping. I've ordered from them before a few times and I've been very happy. I hate buying from the stealerships...good luck.

Mark

 

[Roachhouse]

I used to work for a company that makes gas springs/lift supports. You can rotate the shaft in the body of all of them. They can be sticky on new ones but just hold the connector on the shaft in the vise and turn the tube in your hands. Some connectors are threaded on so turn them in a thread tightening direction, or it may unscrew the connector. I don't remember if the ones you are replacing have mounting hardware on them that is handed, like brackets or one sided connectors. That is normally the only reason to have two part numbers, although there have been vehicles with a stronger one on one side than the other. That was done to keep the number of part numbers down on vehicles with many different option combinations that affect the weight of the hatch. The engineers would mix a strong one with a light one on a vehicle with a middle weight option package. In the aftermarket you normally see only the strong ones applied to every option package. Keeps the number of part numbers down for the parts store.

 

[Roachhouse]

Just thought of one more reason there may be two part numbers. In some vehicles the gas springs use an internal grooved tube design to control the extending velocity. This can be seen as a bulged line running the length of the outside of the tube. The groove lets the gas and oil bypass around the piston as the shaft is extending (allowing relatively fast extension). Where the groove stops, the gas and oil can't bypass the piston causing it to slow down quickly with a cushioned effect at the end of the hatch opening. This controls the hatch opening speed and dampens the impact at the end of opening. Some times the vehicle only has this on one side of the hatch. The gas spring on the other side does not have a groove in the tube (it's cheaper to make). In the aftermarket, the manufacturers of the replacement parts do not always use the same method of extending speed control as the OE manufacturer. Most times they create a single part number that is used on both sides of the hatch, to reduce the part numbers stocked by Autozone or whoever. The aftermarket parts are just as good as the originals (sometimes better), but you only have one part number. For best results replace them in pairs with the aftermarket parts.

 

[hosmer79]

Thanks for all the info. I already returned the lift support unfortunately and it was a special order through Autozone since they don't have them in stock at any store around me. I ordered one through the dealer and had a buddy there get me a little discount at least. Thanks again!