Liftgate strut installation help please

[pjm]

Anyone have any tips or tricks for installing replacement struts for the the tailgate?
I got the old ones off ok, but am having a really hard time compressing the new ones to clip onto the nubs - they are harder to compress than the Bilstein shocks I put on!
I couldn't even compress the old ones enough to get them back on. I have the tailgate open as wide as it will go and there still is about 1 inch I need to compress these struts to get them to fit.
thanks

 

[Joe Dirt]

I've never had an issue compressing the struts on any vehicle I've replaced them on, once they are on the top brackets I can push them closed enough to put them on the bottom. They shouldn't be that hard to compress, is there a lockout or something on yours?

 

[gijoecam]

Take three zip ties, two small ones and a large one (or multiple medium sized ones). Make a loop around the ball ends with the two small ones sandwiching the large zip tie to the side of the strut. Then, use the large one to pull the two ends together. (similar to how a shock absorber comes out of the box)

They'll be tough. They have a lot more mass to hold than the window or hood and a lot less leverage with which to do so.

Good luck!

-Joe

 

[pjm]

I'm an idiot.

Gijoecam, thanks for your tip. I will remember it for other installs in the future. As I was working on the car, I realized that I could lift the tailgate high enough to put the strut on. The hinges were creaky before and I mistakenly thought the gate had reached the top of its travel. I lubed the hinges and worked the door and got the struts on no problem.

Thank you.

Anyone run into the hood struts having too small of end on them for the nub attached to the hood? Monroe part.

 

[gijoecam]

Anyone run into the hood struts having too small of end on them for the nub attached to the hood? Monroe part.

Nope. Flip the strut over. The small ball on the body will fit in the large socket end of the strut, but the small socket end of the strut won't fit on the large ball on the hood. Flip the strut over and everything fits nice.

Now, off to the corner for you... and put on that dunce cap!!

 

[pjm]

That's upside down from how they were on, but if it works, I'll do it. Hard to believe I've been working on cars for over 30 years - guess it's Alzheimers time...

thanks again

 

[pjm]

Maybe my brain froze - it's -15F right now...