Convertible top Hatch problem
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 306
Likes: 5
From: New Orleans Louisiana
Convertible top Hatch problem
Does anyone else have to hold up the convertible top hatch with your shoulder while raising or lowering the top? It seems the lift struts on either side have lost their lifting power and need to be replaced. Where's a good place to get them and about how much do they cost?
Thanks,
NolaVette
Thanks,
NolaVette
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 4
From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
I'm starting to have this issue with my 2002 vert. I asked my dealer to see if it's covered by my GMPP warranty, then I won't have to worry about it, but yes, the strut is worn and needs to be replaced. 
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I ordered my struts for the tonneau cover from Fichtner Chevrolet, they were about $18 a piece. In fact I just ordered new ones for the trunk and hood. They were a little more, but not much more.
Call Bob @ Fichtner - he'll fix you up and he's a great guy to talk to....real friendly and knowledgeable!
Call Bob @ Fichtner - he'll fix you up and he's a great guy to talk to....real friendly and knowledgeable!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Looks like an easy fit. Here's the procedure for you if you want to do it yourself. At $18 for the part from Bob I think I'd tackle that.
ToplessBlond; My wife's blond so I know not to make blond jokes
Document ID# 656600 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
Folding Top Stowage Compartment Lid Struts Replace
Removal Procedure
1. Open the folding top stowage compartment.
2. Remove the forward end of the strut from the hinge ball stud.
3. Close the folding top stowage compartment lid.
4. Open the rear stowage compartment lid.
5. Remove the strut from the rear ball stud.
Installation Procedure
1. Open the rear stowage compartment lid.
2. Position the rod end of the strut through the access hole between the quarter panel and the support.
3. Install the strut to the rear ball stud.
4. Close the rear stowage compartment.
5. Open the folding top stowage compartment.
6. Install the rod end of the strut to the front of the hinge.
7. Close the folding top stowage compartment.
ToplessBlond; My wife's blond so I know not to make blond jokes
Document ID# 656600 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
Folding Top Stowage Compartment Lid Struts Replace
Removal Procedure
1. Open the folding top stowage compartment.
2. Remove the forward end of the strut from the hinge ball stud.
3. Close the folding top stowage compartment lid.
4. Open the rear stowage compartment lid.
5. Remove the strut from the rear ball stud.
Installation Procedure
1. Open the rear stowage compartment lid.
2. Position the rod end of the strut through the access hole between the quarter panel and the support.
3. Install the strut to the rear ball stud.
4. Close the rear stowage compartment.
5. Open the folding top stowage compartment.
6. Install the rod end of the strut to the front of the hinge.
7. Close the folding top stowage compartment.
Last edited by DeeGee; Mar 22, 2009 at 02:16 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 4
From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
Looks like an easy fit. Here's the procedure for you if you want to do it yourself. At $18 for the part from Bob I think I'd tackle that.
ToplessBlond; My wife's blond so I know not to make blond jokes
Document ID# 656600 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
Folding Top Stowage Compartment Lid Struts Replace
Removal Procedure
1. Open the folding top stowage compartment.
2. Remove the forward end of the strut from the hinge ball stud.
3. Close the folding top stowage compartment lid.
4. Open the rear stowage compartment lid.
5. Remove the strut from the rear ball stud.
Installation Procedure
1. Open the rear stowage compartment lid.
2. Position the rod end of the strut through the access hole between the quarter panel and the support.
3. Install the strut to the rear ball stud.
4. Close the rear stowage compartment.
5. Open the folding top stowage compartment.
6. Install the rod end of the strut to the front of the hinge.
7. Close the folding top stowage compartment.
ToplessBlond; My wife's blond so I know not to make blond jokes
Document ID# 656600 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
Folding Top Stowage Compartment Lid Struts Replace
Removal Procedure
1. Open the folding top stowage compartment.
2. Remove the forward end of the strut from the hinge ball stud.
3. Close the folding top stowage compartment lid.
4. Open the rear stowage compartment lid.
5. Remove the strut from the rear ball stud.
Installation Procedure
1. Open the rear stowage compartment lid.
2. Position the rod end of the strut through the access hole between the quarter panel and the support.
3. Install the strut to the rear ball stud.
4. Close the rear stowage compartment.
5. Open the folding top stowage compartment.
6. Install the rod end of the strut to the front of the hinge.
7. Close the folding top stowage compartment.
1. Is there just one strut that handles this task or are there two? I have a hard time telling from the illustration.
2. What tool, if any, is required to remove the strut(s) from the ball studs? Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Reviving a very old thread here, but I'm about to finally take care of this problem and order some replacement struts. Just two questions:
1. Is there just one strut that handles this task or are there two? I have a hard time telling from the illustration.
2. What tool, if any, is required to remove the strut(s) from the ball studs? Thanks!
1. Is there just one strut that handles this task or are there two? I have a hard time telling from the illustration.
2. What tool, if any, is required to remove the strut(s) from the ball studs? Thanks!
Tools, once you see the new strut, all you'll need is a small flat screwdriver to pull the collar away to allow you to remove the old strut. The whole operation shouldn't take more than about 10 minutes.....easy peasy!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 4
From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
Jeff - there is one strut on either side of the car.
Tools, once you see the new strut, all you'll need is a small flat screwdriver to pull the collar away to allow you to remove the old strut. The whole operation shouldn't take more than about 10 minutes.....easy peasy!
Tools, once you see the new strut, all you'll need is a small flat screwdriver to pull the collar away to allow you to remove the old strut. The whole operation shouldn't take more than about 10 minutes.....easy peasy!
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 228
Likes: 1
From: eustis FL Saved and blessed; what else matter?
My 2000 has TWO struts, one on each side and they're hidden pretty well. I can access the front end of the strut, but not the rear end, even with the cover pulled off.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Montgomery TX
Looks like an easy fit. Here's the procedure for you if you want to do it yourself. At $18 for the part from Bob I think I'd tackle that.
ToplessBlond; My wife's blond so I know not to make blond jokes
Document ID# 656600 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
Folding Top Stowage Compartment Lid Struts Replace
Removal Procedure
1. Open the folding top stowage compartment.
2. Remove the forward end of the strut from the hinge ball stud.
3. Close the folding top stowage compartment lid.
4. Open the rear stowage compartment lid.
5. Remove the strut from the rear ball stud.
Installation Procedure
1. Open the rear stowage compartment lid.
2. Position the rod end of the strut through the access hole between the quarter panel and the support.
3. Install the strut to the rear ball stud.
4. Close the rear stowage compartment.
5. Open the folding top stowage compartment.
6. Install the rod end of the strut to the front of the hinge.
7. Close the folding top stowage compartment.
ToplessBlond; My wife's blond so I know not to make blond jokes
Document ID# 656600 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
Folding Top Stowage Compartment Lid Struts Replace
Removal Procedure
1. Open the folding top stowage compartment.
2. Remove the forward end of the strut from the hinge ball stud.
3. Close the folding top stowage compartment lid.
4. Open the rear stowage compartment lid.
5. Remove the strut from the rear ball stud.
Installation Procedure
1. Open the rear stowage compartment lid.
2. Position the rod end of the strut through the access hole between the quarter panel and the support.
3. Install the strut to the rear ball stud.
4. Close the rear stowage compartment.
5. Open the folding top stowage compartment.
6. Install the rod end of the strut to the front of the hinge.
7. Close the folding top stowage compartment.
I needed to replace my 2 struts. I got some new ones but wasn't sure about how to go about replacing them. I came here, searched and found this thread. Had them pulled and replaced in 5 minutes or less.
To all the informative folks here...
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 705
Likes: 0
From: Queens NY
Agreed. Had the same problem last year, found this thread and problem solved.
I love my Corvette, I love this site and I love the search button.
I needed to replace my 2 struts. I got some new ones but wasn't sure about how to go about replacing them. I came here, searched and found this thread. Had them pulled and replaced in 5 minutes or less.
To all the informative folks here...
I needed to replace my 2 struts. I got some new ones but wasn't sure about how to go about replacing them. I came here, searched and found this thread. Had them pulled and replaced in 5 minutes or less.
To all the informative folks here...
