Back hatch will not stay up

[the-pred]

Guys just bought a 96 Limited. Well I am trying to fix the door ajar issue I also noticed that the back tailgate door will not stay up. I open it fully and it just goes right back down. I hope this is not normal because it has whacked me twice already. Is this a simple solution or do I have the replace the "shock" looking mechanisms that hold it open?

 

[corkey]

yes, them shock looking things are what hold it up, , they are available at most parts stores, and junkyards,,

once they get replaced, it will stay up on it's own,




(no unable to keep it up jokes here, ),,

 

[the-pred]

So I don't look like an idiot, what are those called taht hold the door up?

 

[Dennis1188]

They are called "Struts"
I just replaced mine and it is very, very simple. For my 96 Sport it was a matter of having someone hold the door all the way up while I inserted a flat screwdriver inside the clip where the strut is connected to the hinge. You should have two on each strut. Pull out the clip a little and the strut comes right off. The new ones just snap right in... no need for a screwdriver.

I bought two slightly used ones for 30 dollars plus shipping.
You can request a quote from the seller at: ped5stang@aol.com

You can also buy them new from Lmctruck.com and I think they cost 60 dollars plus shipping for a pair... always change them out in pairs.

 

[GRNMACHINE]

They should be made by a company called Stabilus. I replaced mine last year from a seller on ebay-I think I paid about $30 for the pair and they were brand new. I believe Pep Boys carry Stabilus brand as well. Like Dennis said, they couldnt be any easier to replace. I would stay away from cheap made in china brands. Also replaced the struts on the hood at the same time and so far they are excellent.

 

[S1NN3R]

strong-arm also makes a good strut for the rear hatch,hood etc... should run you like 20 bucks a piece or something close to that.

 

[GRNMACHINE]

For The Record. When I said they should be made by Stabilus I was talking about the OEM products not what you should or shouldnt get..... My OEM's were made by Stabilus and that is the brand I replaced them with. There are always other manufacturers out there. I am not a fan of made in China products though which claim to be OEM compatible.... This site is awesome for info though, and real hand knowledge and experience with many products/brands!

 

[the-pred]

Can the piece that the strut connects to be repalaced with out welding. It looks like on one side that the pin that the strut snaps into has broken off

 

[ema]

They should be made by a company called Stabilus. I replaced mine last year from a seller on ebay-I think I paid about $30 for the pair and they were brand new. I believe Pep Boys carry Stabilus brand as well. Like Dennis said, they couldnt be any easier to replace. I would stay away from cheap made in china brands. Also replaced the struts on the hood at the same time and so far they are excellent.

Yeah, stabilus makes good struts. I just saw one posted at $28.71. I hope that helps.

 

[corkey]

i fixed the little ball part that the strut goes on, i drilled it out, and put in a stainless bolt, for a pin, like this,

 

[GRNMACHINE]

Ingenuity!!! Nice Corkey!

 

[the-pred]

How did you get the strut to stay on the bolt?

 

[corkey]

it in not really a bolt, it was a stainless steel machine screw,
what i did was ground the head of the screw enuff that it fit inside the strut first ,than i put the nut on it, put it through the hole, and than the other nut,, tightened it up, and pushed on the strut,
it lasted about 4 years so far