Hatch Door/Liftgate Strut Removal and Replacement

[Hank3]

I'm going to replace the struts to the hatch door/liftgate in the coming week. I took a quick glance at the current ones that I'm assuming are OEM (Showa is the brand name), and it looks like there are two bolts securing a strutr bracket to the chassis. And then the strut's socket goes over a ball that is attached to the hatch door. Anyone that has replaced and install new ones have any pointers on this entire process?

It seems straightforward, but I'm curious as to how to remove the socket from the ball? There doesn't seem to be a u-shaped clip that you remove to release the tension like the aftermarket ones I purchased.

 

[pcb]

I replaced mine when I first got my car..

The ball doesn't need to be removed from the socket. An open end wrench unthreads it from the lift gate and the ball just spins in the socket.

Hopefully your new ones came with the threaded ball.

I may have actually reused the ball (I kinda forget... it was 8 years ago)
In which case I think you just pry it off by lifting it up and sideways once the bottom of the strut is removed.

The new socket just pops on with a bit of force.

 

[Hank3]

Upon closer inspection, I see that you can loosen the ball socket. The set I purchased does come with a new set so hopefully that'll make things easier.

Thanks!