Mar 11, 2015, 01:39 PM
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Convertible top hatch strut installation.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 326
Likes: 23
From: Ohio
Convertible top hatch strut installation.
My vert top hatch struts needed replaced as the hatch would no longer stay up by itself. I did a search on changing them, but wasn't satisfied with the results I got. So, here is how I changed them.
1. Open the trunk. Look under the sides and you will see the struts.
2. Pry off both the spring clips with a screwdriver or scratch awl.
3. Close the trunk.
4. Open the top hatch and prop it up in the fully raised position. The strut is now in the fully extended position and not under pressure.
5. Reach down and pull the strut off the ball joints.
6. Close the top hatch.
7. Open the trunk and snap the new strut on the aftermost ball joint, making sure that the rod end is positioned toward the front of the car.
8. Close the trunk.
9. Open the top hatch and snap the rod end on the forward ball joint.
The hatch will now stand up by itself.
10. Repeat for the other side.
Once I figured this method out, it took less than 5 minutes to complete the job. I didn't take any pictures, but when you look under the sides of the trunk, it is all pretty obvious.
1. Open the trunk. Look under the sides and you will see the struts.
2. Pry off both the spring clips with a screwdriver or scratch awl.
3. Close the trunk.
4. Open the top hatch and prop it up in the fully raised position. The strut is now in the fully extended position and not under pressure.
5. Reach down and pull the strut off the ball joints.
6. Close the top hatch.
7. Open the trunk and snap the new strut on the aftermost ball joint, making sure that the rod end is positioned toward the front of the car.
8. Close the trunk.
9. Open the top hatch and snap the rod end on the forward ball joint.
The hatch will now stand up by itself.
10. Repeat for the other side.
Once I figured this method out, it took less than 5 minutes to complete the job. I didn't take any pictures, but when you look under the sides of the trunk, it is all pretty obvious.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,520
Likes: 5
From: Long Island NY
My vert top hatch struts needed replaced as the hatch would no longer stay up by itself. I did a search on changing them, but wasn't satisfied with the results I got. So, here is how I changed them.
1. Open the trunk. Look under the sides and you will see the struts.
2. Pry off both the spring clips with a screwdriver or scratch awl.
3. Close the trunk.
4. Open the top hatch and prop it up in the fully raised position. The strut is now in the fully extended position and not under pressure.
5. Reach down and pull the strut off the ball joints.
6. Close the top hatch.
7. Open the trunk and snap the new strut on the aftermost ball joint, making sure that the rod end is positioned toward the front of the car.
8. Close the trunk.
9. Open the top hatch and snap the rod end on the forward ball joint.
The hatch will now stand up by itself.
10. Repeat for the other side.
Once I figured this method out, it took less than 5 minutes to complete the job. I didn't take any pictures, but when you look under the sides of the trunk, it is all pretty obvious.
1. Open the trunk. Look under the sides and you will see the struts.
2. Pry off both the spring clips with a screwdriver or scratch awl.
3. Close the trunk.
4. Open the top hatch and prop it up in the fully raised position. The strut is now in the fully extended position and not under pressure.
5. Reach down and pull the strut off the ball joints.
6. Close the top hatch.
7. Open the trunk and snap the new strut on the aftermost ball joint, making sure that the rod end is positioned toward the front of the car.
8. Close the trunk.
9. Open the top hatch and snap the rod end on the forward ball joint.
The hatch will now stand up by itself.
10. Repeat for the other side.
Once I figured this method out, it took less than 5 minutes to complete the job. I didn't take any pictures, but when you look under the sides of the trunk, it is all pretty obvious.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 311
From: Bristol, VT
Seeing this thread the other day reminded me I need to change mine, thanks for the write up Ultimate, and thanks for the part number, Kevin! Just bought them from Gene at GM Parts House, $23.18 each.
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 6
From: Pittsburgh PA
I need these also. Yesterday I decide to have a look see since I have an extra set off a Grand Prix trunk lid. I ended up crawling into the trunk with my legs hanging out. For a while I tought I was stuck in there.
BTW, the GP ones are too long.
Thanks for listing the procedure.
BTW, the GP ones are too long.Thanks for listing the procedure.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,346
Likes: 41
From: Toronto
I am getting ready to do this job on my 2003
One question....on the sides of the trunk there are black plastic covers that cover the struts...do they just pull straight off or is there any trick to removing them?
Just want to be sure before I break anything.
One question....on the sides of the trunk there are black plastic covers that cover the struts...do they just pull straight off or is there any trick to removing them?
Just want to be sure before I break anything.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 262
Likes: 2
From: Shawnee Kansas
On my 98 I did as described below and there were no covers in the way!
1. Open the trunk. Look under the sides and you will see the struts.
2. Pry off both the spring clips with a screwdriver or scratch awl.
3. Close the trunk.
4. Open the top hatch and prop it up in the fully raised position. The strut is now in the fully extended position and not under pressure.
5. Reach down and pull the strut off the ball joints.
6. Close the top hatch.
7. Open the trunk and snap the new strut on the aftermost ball joint, making sure that the rod end is positioned toward the front of the car.
8. Close the trunk.
9. Open the top hatch and snap the rod end on the forward ball joint.
The hatch will now stand up by itself.
10. Repeat for the other side.
1. Open the trunk. Look under the sides and you will see the struts.
2. Pry off both the spring clips with a screwdriver or scratch awl.
3. Close the trunk.
4. Open the top hatch and prop it up in the fully raised position. The strut is now in the fully extended position and not under pressure.
5. Reach down and pull the strut off the ball joints.
6. Close the top hatch.
7. Open the trunk and snap the new strut on the aftermost ball joint, making sure that the rod end is positioned toward the front of the car.
8. Close the trunk.
9. Open the top hatch and snap the rod end on the forward ball joint.
The hatch will now stand up by itself.
10. Repeat for the other side.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 444
Likes: 56
From: DeBary Florida
Did mine a few months back on my '04 vert, used the same procedure as outlilned above and didn't have a problem. Ordered the struts from this link ( http://stores.ebay.com/Lift-Supports...id=p4340.l2563 ). I ordered the ones manufactured by STABILUS (when you remove yours you'll notice STABILUS is the manufacturer that supplied them to GM (at least on my '04, their name is right on the strut) the only difference between the two is that the stabilus has a black cylinder and black plunger, same as OEM, the Strong Arm ones have a black cylinder and a chrome plunger. I received my order in a few days...no problems at all....and the best part is they have a
Lifetime Warranty and I got 2 for $25.00. 
They fit perfectly. Hope this helps
