Hey, anyone know where I can get replacement struts for the rear hatch, and approx how much they cost? need to change mine, completely dead, and the hatch weighs a ton when you have to push it up and hold it up!!( and then try to mess around in the back with one hand while holding up the hatch)! Thought of going to a dealer, but am sure that they will be more expensive. Also, is it a problem to install or is it a simple bolt off for the old one and bolt on for the new one affair?

 

You can get them in almost any auto parts store, or get really lucky and find a good pair in junk yard. As for intallation, simple. Unbolt the old, bolt in the new. I found it simpler when bolting in the new ones to bolt in the end that uses the torx bolt first.

The trox bolt is under the cap on the end of the strut inside the car, and a 7 or 8mm bolt holds the strut to the hatch.

 

Also have someone/something supporting that hatch before taking the struts off. About 200# of glass there.

 

hey 88bird... I just installed all new struts for the hood and hatch. I got all the hardware from Autozone for about $86. Kind of expensive I know, but it was very easy. Jon

 

I've added them to my web site as well. In case you are still having trouble finding them. They are under the "Hatch pull-down repair" section.

Lon Salgren
Top-Down Solutions
www.Top-DownSolutions.com

 

I think I paid about $30-35 each for mine at Murray's

John

 

napa, just replaced mine, $65 for the pair

 

Salvage yard. Or doner car. I got all of them for free.

 

There the largest and most expensive struts at any autopart store. Around here the best price I have seen is $39.99 each. Of course I have a corporate account with a place out here so I don't have to pay sales tax on my stuff. It is still expensive though.

 

mmmm, how I love doner cars!

 

I know this post is pretty old but somebody new might come across it so...... New struts....Kragen 39.99 Lifetime Warranty No questions asked. Install them and don't lift a finger. Turn the key and watch your hatch rise!:rockon:

 

Where can you find these?

 

You can find them at Kragen AutoParts. It's a Auto Parts Chain affiliated with Schuck's and Checker here in Southern California. I ran a search and (don't quote me on this) but it seems like the farthest east they are located is Michigan.

 

Most brands carry 3 different part numbers:

1) no spoiler or rear wiper
2) with spoiler OR rear wiper
3) with spoiler AND rear wiper

I think no matter what, option #3 would be the best choice. They should have the most strength and last the longest.

Years ago when I bought mine, they only had option #2 in stock so I bought those. They eventually died, but now with my fiberglass rear spoiler they work good again.

 

Yeah I never heard of that store, no website either. Damn, I would have gone for hood and hatch from them.

 

the rear wiper just adds electrical hook ups to the strut. I have the #3 ones from advance for over 3 years now and after I put the fiberglass spoiler on removing the factory aerowing, the hatch will go up on its own when I press the button every once in a while.

 

PyRo9862 you can get them from napa and autozone also. I got mine from TDS and was very pleased.

 

Thanks, I figured you could, I just like the lifetime warrenty idea. I'm almost to the point of looking for one of those rare factory hood sticks, so hood struts are in the near future. As far as the hatch goes, I don't go back there that much, so I may just live with it.

 

This past summer I took my shocks back and they gave me a new set for FREE!!! they too have the lifetime

Much better now

John

 

Hanging on the rack at Autozone, 26 bucks each and have the defroster terminals.

 

I believe the electric hookups on the strut are for the rear defroster, not the wiper. The struts in option #3 compensate for the weight of having both a rear spoiler and a rear wiper motor & wiper arm.

If you have a Camaro with the 3-pc spoiler, there's not that much weight there- but on a T/A with the aerowing: those things are heavy. I'd definitely go for option #3.

 

When I bought mine last fall I called every place intown. Kragen, Autozone, Napa, CarQuest and all the mom and pops. Kragen was the only one offering lifetime warranty. Some people say lifetime warranty is only because they wont last as long but mine have been working fine for over a year. Even if they don't last it's only maybe an hour out of my life to change them out again.

You can order from Kragen online. The company is CSK inc. (Checker, Schucks, Kragen) Their website is powered by partsamerica.

P.S. They offered the hood struts also with the same warranty.