Hatch Struts
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 559
Likes: 6
From: OKC OK
Hatch Struts
Since I've owned the car every time I push the button to open the hatch it only popped up a couple of inches. I would have to lift it to the fully open position where it would stay. I thought that this was normal since my 98 T/A does the same thing (though a much bigger hatch to be sure).
Then last weekend I opened the hatch to put my gym bag in the car and the hatch almost scalped me! I didn't see stars but the little yellow birdies flying around my head were kinda cute...
So this weekend I replaced the struts. I bought them at Autozone for about $70 for both. Installation was all of 15 minutes and ...
WOW...when I press the button the hatch goes all the way to the top!
I love it when a plan comes together better than expected!
Then last weekend I opened the hatch to put my gym bag in the car and the hatch almost scalped me! I didn't see stars but the little yellow birdies flying around my head were kinda cute...
So this weekend I replaced the struts. I bought them at Autozone for about $70 for both. Installation was all of 15 minutes and ...
WOW...when I press the button the hatch goes all the way to the top!
I love it when a plan comes together better than expected!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 14,116
Likes: 932
From: Fremont Ca
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
What brand and were they left-right specific or one for both sides.I bought a set and the electrical connectors hit the trim on one side.The struts are left-right specific on defroster cars.I went on AC DELCOs web site but couldnt find the struts.When I replaced these years ago I didnt have a problem,no I can only find a set that wont work.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 559
Likes: 6
From: OKC OK
Mighty Lift is the brand, part # 95199. My son works at Autozone and he just brought them home from work with him. I didn't notice that there was a left and right part number but I did notice that they would fit only one way...that being the heavy end to the halo and the light/piston end to the glass. Other than that I had no installation issues at all. They snapped right in.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 447
Likes: 0
From: Titletown WI
I'm actually surprised the vette ones wear out, its a small hatch compared to most hatchbacks.
Some brands are more durable than others, but I lost track of which ones worked best for me, so now I gotta start over.
Anyway, I just wanted to say that most are lifetime warantee, and, if you live in a colder climate especially, save the receipt. You might need it.
Also, mine bound up pretty bad, so I rubbed some silcone grease on the rams(and weatherstripping too), works nice now.
»keith
Some brands are more durable than others, but I lost track of which ones worked best for me, so now I gotta start over.
Anyway, I just wanted to say that most are lifetime warantee, and, if you live in a colder climate especially, save the receipt. You might need it.
Also, mine bound up pretty bad, so I rubbed some silcone grease on the rams(and weatherstripping too), works nice now.
»keith
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,175
Likes: 237
From: Philadelphia Burbs
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by 96_LT4_FE1
Also, mine bound up pretty bad, so I rubbed some silcone grease on the rams(and weatherstripping too), works nice now.
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Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 48
From: Lakeport CA
I bought the Napa ones a year or so ago. The defroster lugs didn't rub or anything. I also bought the little struts for the hood but they won't hold it up by themselves, do help though with opening.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 44,772
Likes: 1
From: 63.8% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
St. Jude Donor '08-'10
when I bought mine if I pushed the button it would unlock but not go up at all, I would open it by hand. I thought that was how it was supposed to be. I replaced the struts when the old ones would no longer support the hatch in the open position. I was shocked the next time I pushed the button it it opened.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 447
Likes: 0
From: Titletown WI
Originally Posted by j3studio
Just checking...silicon grease on the long metal rams? Definitely worth a try.
Mine work great, but won't quite go that last 1-2", but its close enough for gov't work.
»keith
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 27
From: Athens Ohio
I replaced mine about a year ago. I checked the price at the Chevy dealer and they were not that much more then after market. When I went to install them, I noticed I had two right sides. Returned One to the dealer and they order the correct left side. The hatch does work great now.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,175
Likes: 237
From: Philadelphia Burbs
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by 96_LT4_FE1
I probably should've clarified. If they don't go up, the gas charge could be gone. In my case, it'd go up(and try to take the weatherstripping with it), but I had a real hard time pushing it back down, it would even "wedge"/"bind" and stick halfway down if I stopped pushing it and not go back up. I figured I'd tear the seals out of it if I kept forcing it, so I threw some lube on the rams as well as the weatherstripping. I was thinking of it as making functional ones last longer.