Removing Lift Supports

[Have_Wings]

Hey everyone,

My 2002 Protege5's hatch lifts died on me and I bought new Strongman Lift Supports. I am clearing out a room and need to install these sooner than later. Anyway, I go to remove the old lift supports and there is no clip to pop the ball joint out. I called the dealership that was close by and they would charge me $40 to install them and I would have to wait next week. The only advice they gave me was to use a good pair of pliers. I do not want to break anything and do not want to spend money on something I can certainly do myself. Does anyone have any advice on how to remove these things?

 

[meGrimlock]

are these screw in? the service manual lists a torque rating of 12-16 ft lb on the ball joint.

this may or may not help:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGM3xU8NVDE
the struts holding the door up may have clips in place, you might have to slide them out of the way to expose a place for your screw driver to insert

 

[Have_Wings]

Thanks for the reply. I have watched the video before and it is a good one. The bottoms are screw in but the top that attaches to the hatch are not. There are literally no clips or anything for me to pop. I may be able to get a picture later on.

 

[Have_Wings]

Pictures

I am sorry if they are big.

 

[esnave09]

When I replaced one of mine (still have to do the other one, but one is enough for now) I took out the whole assembly and ended up taking it to Ace Hardware (not sure what they have near you) and they were nice enough to cut out the ball from the socket after trying to pry it loose. It took a while, but that's probably your best bet honestly. Good luck with it!

 

[Tamn]

oh those were easy, take a long large screwdriver or some type of lever, and pop them right out

 

[Have_Wings]

When I replaced one of mine (still have to do the other one, but one is enough for now) I took out the whole assembly and ended up taking it to Ace Hardware (not sure what they have near you) and they were nice enough to cut out the ball from the socket after trying to pry it loose. It took a while, but that's probably your best bet honestly. Good luck with it!

I would like to avoid doing that. I did think about disassembling it but it seems like a lot of trouble.

oh those were easy, take a long large screwdriver or some type of lever, and pop them right out

Could you explain this to me. Like, do you put the screw driver in the socket and use it as a lever to pop them out? Will they pop out easy?

 

[mp5la]

I think he's saying to wedge a screwdriver between the strut and the hatch and pop it that way. I'd wrap the screwdriver in a towel or something to avoid scratching the hatch metal. You might also spray some pb blaster around where the ball and the stud fit together. And watch out for the back glass!

 

[mp5la]

Also, to put the new ones on, I put a little grease in the cup of the strut. Then use a soft mallet to tap them back on and make sure they're fully seated.

 

[Tamn]

I think he's saying to wedge a screwdriver between the strut and the hatch and pop it that way. I'd wrap the screwdriver in a towel or something to avoid scratching the hatch metal. You might also spray some pb blaster around where the ball and the stud fit together. And watch out for the back glass!

Yup that's how I did mine it came out very easily. Good luck

 

[Have_Wings]

I think he's saying to wedge a screwdriver between the strut and the hatch and pop it that way. I'd wrap the screwdriver in a towel or something to avoid scratching the hatch metal. You might also spray some pb blaster around where the ball and the stud fit together. And watch out for the back glass!

Sounds like I will have to remove the ball joint also which means it will have to be grinded out correct?

 

[mp5la]

No, he's saying don't remove the ball joint. Put the screwdriver between the metal of the hatch and the strut with everything still on the car. Then you can pop the joint out that way.

 

[Have_Wings]

No, he's saying don't remove the ball joint. Put the screwdriver between the metal of the hatch and the strut with everything still on the car. Then you can pop the joint out that way.

Oh, ok. I am gonna try that when I get a chance. Hopefully it works.

 

[meGrimlock]

looks like a hex bolt on the door, try a flare nut wrench? or does that need to stay on the car for the new strut?

 

[mp5la]

The ball stays on the hatch.