hatch strut removal
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio TX
hatch strut removal
I am going to take these off yet do not see how to accomplish this. I know its easy and I could figure it out with just tinkering with it but thought it would be easier for someone to take 10 seconds and tell me the best way. TIA
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
A 16 oz. ball peen should make quick work of it...... 
Look on the ends and you'll see the retaining clips. Nothing to it. 
Look on the ends and you'll see the retaining clips. Nothing to it.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,278
Likes: 12
From: New York
Use a small flat blade screw driver, and slip it under the clip in the center. Make sure the clip doesn't take off on you. When you get the strut off, push the clip back in. As a piece of advice, use a 2x4 to hold the glass up when doing these. It is extremely heavy when you remove both of them, and one strut won't hold it, or have someone hold the glass while you are doing the swap.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles, MO Route 66 Corvette Club
Originally Posted by KODAVETTE
Use a small flat blade screw driver, and slip it under the clip in the center. Make sure the clip doesn't take off on you. When you get the strut off, push the clip back in. As a piece of advice, use a 2x4 to hold the glass up when doing these. It is extremely heavy when you remove both of them, and one strut won't hold it, or have someone hold the glass while you are doing the swap.Right on! The comment on the 2 X 4 is sound advice.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,884
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia Mississippi
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Yea, just replaced mine from Napa, and after install could not lower the hatch glass, called napa and they said that it was the right part number, so had to remove them, call Chris @ Superior and he's sending a set of GM, sometimes you just have to bite it and get GM/Delco
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio TX
$0 Didn't get new ones I polished the old ones with 180 grit then 600 grit followed by a non-chrome metal polish. Looks great compared to the boring faded black paint that they had before. My glass does lift kind of slow and not all the way up but doesn't bother me enough to pay $50+ bucks on ebay.
Didn't get new ones I polished the old ones with 180 grit then 600 grit followed by a non-chrome metal polish. Looks great compared to the boring faded black paint that they had before. My glass does lift kind of slow and not all the way up but doesn't bother me enough to pay $50+ bucks on ebay.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio TX
It simply takes a small flatheaded screwdriver which you will need to pry under the 1cm or so wide band of black metal that is at the very end of each side. When you get the clip pried up far enough the end will be released from the glass. Also, disconnect the wire for the rear defrost.
