Rear Hatch struts
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
Neither, they just snap onto the mounting studs. Ball and socket type connection. There is a little clip thing you slide open to allow the strut to snap over the ball. 
Thread Starter
Race Director
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From: Milpitas ca
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 536
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From: Ocean Park Washington
Real easy and I'm not mechanic.
Have someone hold the back glass - one used strut will not hold it - trust me I know.
Disconnect the rear defrogger pins.
Use a flat heat screwdriver to pull the small metal clip on each end. One end at a time. The strut will but pull away from the mount.
The new struts will just snap into place.
Easy - should take about 20 minutes.
The back glass is really heavy and it really hurts when it lands on your head.
Have someone hold the back glass - one used strut will not hold it - trust me I know.
Disconnect the rear defrogger pins.
Use a flat heat screwdriver to pull the small metal clip on each end. One end at a time. The strut will but pull away from the mount.
The new struts will just snap into place.
Easy - should take about 20 minutes.
The back glass is really heavy and it really hurts when it lands on your head.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
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From: Philadelphia Burbs
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St. Jude Donor '06
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Central New Jersey
Not a bad job at all, the way Bryantbjb replied is how it's done. I did mine in about 30 minutes. I used a paint pole to hold up the glass because there was no one around at the time. After I replaced one strut I took the pole out and the glass came down but not fast so I was able to catch it before it got me. You need to replace them both before letting the glass go.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Melbourne Florida
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Also be aware to go very slowly when you close the hatch for the first time with the new struts...some of the aftermarket ones can be a hair too long...one of our members replaced his and, not thinking about it, just closed the hatch...turned out the struts were like 1/4" too long and kaboom..shattered his hatch glass...he couldn't tell they were too long with the hatch open...
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Magnolia Mississippi
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
FYI: make sure you can move the piston in the cyl before you leave the store.... 1x1 cut to hold the hatch up, screwdriver remove and replace... easy job... replace both to make even when closing... and close slow and gently to get the piston moving...
good luck
good luck
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
What if I just wear a helmet instead?
Where are all of you getting yours? I'd like some quality ones that last even half as long as the 23 yr old originals that still sort of work.
Autozone has some on the shelf, not sure what brand/price.
Rockauto has Monroe $25, Sachs $25, and ACDelco (left) $40
Is the right side discontinued? Why do the non oem brands have only one p/n, not different ones for each side?
Where are all of you getting yours? I'd like some quality ones that last even half as long as the 23 yr old originals that still sort of work.
Autozone has some on the shelf, not sure what brand/price.
Rockauto has Monroe $25, Sachs $25, and ACDelco (left) $40
Is the right side discontinued? Why do the non oem brands have only one p/n, not different ones for each side?
Last edited by CentralCoaster; May 7, 2007 at 02:46 AM.
Melting Slicks
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Le Mans Master
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From: Philadelphia Burbs
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St. Jude Donor '06
Tech Contributor
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From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon
Lastly you will be impressed on the replacements. It will be a night and day change. Dont forget the cold one at the end of the process.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon
I bought my replacements from MADVET. May have paid more than At autozone or Checker but I knew they would fit and work. Which they do
