Wow! Good for you! The first time I called after they had sent me the wrong item, the customer service lady put me on hold to check with "management" and when she returned she claimed "I tried, but they want those back." Yesterday, she agreed to send me the correct ends but never offered to do anything else.

 

I did all of mine via their support email. I think the fellows name was Shane.

 

Should have ordered them from the link I previously provided. No problems, perfect fit, lifetime warranty and not re-pops.

 

I'm going through the exact same thing with Sixity now myself. They are sending me two larger ends as they are too small. If I had seen your post earlier, I would have avoided this company.

 

Thanks for the write up. I just replaced mine. I got them from Amazon, Sachs (Stabilus) SG430019. $25 shipped. Exact fit.

 

I wish I had read these posts before I started to replace my deck cover struts. Let me add two items that are critical. First, you need to use a flat blade screwdriver with about a 3/8 inch blade. Anything else will frustrate you and make the job nearly impossible. I know. Bought the right tool at Advance Auto Parts for $5. Second, you must install the new struts in the trunk first. Then when you close the trunk and open the deck the struts will fit correctly. This allows the correct distance between the trunk and deck mounting studs. Once I had the correct size screwdriver and installed trunk first and deck last it was a breeze. The struts I bought allowed the deck end to be lengthened about 1/8 inch to perfectly mate with the deck studs.

 

Just completed my installation of the vert hatch struts. I used a mirror to look up to the strut and see it. About 10 minutes for both. The instructions were great, thanks.

 

Glad it helped.

 

04 convertible here as well. I'm not seeing the back end of the struts from the trunk, suggestions?

 

They are difficult to see. You have to look under the top back fender.

 

Thanks so much!

 

Just replaced mine. Took about 30 minutes and needed someone to hold roof and cowl up. The struts are located further back than I initially thought. Not a hard job. I did stick the awl into my thumb. Superglue to the rescue.

 

I originally u-tubed and watched a guy use a belt to compress them and tried that unsuccessfully for 10 minutes. Then I independently found out if I put the back on first and lift the lid the struts are not compressed! I was about to post how smart I am, but then found this post! I should of googled this site first.

 

I replaced my struts today- they are difficult to see and the photos really helped! My suggestions:

Open the trunk lid- feel underneath the top of the fender (I found feeling for them was the best way for me to find them- reach up underneath the rear quarter panel and feel around and eventually you will feel them).

Prying the spring steel clip off of the strut socket to release from the ball was the most difficult part of the job for me--- and it wasn't all that hard- it just required a flashlight and a bit of bending. I removed both of the struts where they connected to the bracket in the trunk, then closed the trunk lid.

Next I opened the deck lid, propped it with a broom stick, and again feeling for the struts found them and simply pulled them off of the ball of the deck lid (this can be done by hand).

The new struts are very easy to get back on (no need to go into the trunk)- with the deck lid propped open, take the cylinder (thick end) in your hand (left hand for driver side, right hand for passenger side) and reach back through to the rear most ball, feeling for the ball, once you feel it, simply snap the new strut on (no need to fiddle with the clips to snap struts on), then move your hand up to the socket of the smaller rod end and snap that onto the deck lid ball.

The only things I add, to the above suggestions by others is that you might want to feel for the struts first- and that you can snap on the new struts via the propped open deck lid by feeling for the rear most ball with the strut in your hand. No need to go back into the trunk.

Once you have new struts on, you will be rewarded with a deck lid that will automatically pop all the way open and stay up!

 

Just did mine yesterday. You can skip steps 6 through 9. While you have the top hatch open simply connect the strut on the forward ball joint and slide your hand down on the strut and attach the rear end. Easy Peasy.

 

 

I ordered mine from Rock Auto , should be in tomorrow.

 

When I open the trunk on my C5 , there are two plastic pieces(cowling),I can remove to replace the strut's. Whats the secret? Is there a video that goes through the steps to change the Tonneau cover struts?

 

I'm trying to see some instructions mainly pistes of the exact location inside the trunk. The only thing I see are two plastic covers, one on the right and left inside of the trunk, but can't remove them. Don't want to break them trying to remove them. Is that were the strut hooks up to the Tonneau cover..

 

The first step should be to put on eye protection, a neighbor lost an eye trying to change a gas strut on their car.