allright just as the threads asks at what bolts do you remove them from. and after how do you reinstall them. im asking because i noticed the strut expands even further so im stumped thanks for the help
With the hatch open ther are 2 bolts.I torx bolt T-50 IIRC on the bottom near the back seat and an 8mm bolt on the hatch itself.You may also have a wire for your rear defrost.Since you have never done this before make sure you have someone to help hold the hatch,it is VERY heavy.
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May 10, 2010
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Like Steve86TA said, it is VERY heavy. You shold get somone to help you.If you cant, it can be done by propping a STRONG broomstick under the hatch, and do ONE STRUT AT A TIME.I have done them myself this way.You may have to over-extend the hatch a little to get the T-50 bolt out since its under load still.DONT CROSSTHREAD / STRIP THE THREADS! If you feel the bolt is difficult to remove,you need to lift the hatch a LITTLE higher.(all the load is on those threads)
Re-install the 8mm bolt first, then the T-50 torx.watch the way that the old strut was originally installed for the defrost terminal.
TAKE YOUR TIME,and do the broomstick method ONLY if you cant get help.
Re-install the 8mm bolt first, then the T-50 torx.watch the way that the old strut was originally installed for the defrost terminal.
TAKE YOUR TIME,and do the broomstick method ONLY if you cant get help.
You can solo it
Its not THAT heavy but you really dont want it slamming down on your head either. You can hold it up with one hand
Tip: The small 8mm bolts do nothing but keep the strut from sliding off, the strut holds on to a big nub of steel thats attached to the decklid
Take the 8mm bolts off, and put something over the latch so teh hatch wont squish the struts when you let the hatch down. A balled up towel or a sturdy cardboard box will do
Now open the hatch and slide the ends off the struts (decklid side) and drape them over the tailights
Lower the hatch onto your towel etc and go inside
Remove the struts from the inside
Install is exact reverse should take you a grand total of 10 minutes since your only messing with 4 bolts and 2 covers
Its not THAT heavy but you really dont want it slamming down on your head either. You can hold it up with one hand
Tip: The small 8mm bolts do nothing but keep the strut from sliding off, the strut holds on to a big nub of steel thats attached to the decklid
Take the 8mm bolts off, and put something over the latch so teh hatch wont squish the struts when you let the hatch down. A balled up towel or a sturdy cardboard box will do
Now open the hatch and slide the ends off the struts (decklid side) and drape them over the tailights
Lower the hatch onto your towel etc and go inside
Remove the struts from the inside
Install is exact reverse should take you a grand total of 10 minutes since your only messing with 4 bolts and 2 covers
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Just to *** my 
, no matter what way you use to prop up the hatch, do remove the 8mm bolts first. this way you can remove the strut where it attaches to the hatch and it will pivot up and down on the torx bolt. This removes all the pressure from the torx bolt, greatly reducing the chance of stripping it out.
, no matter what way you use to prop up the hatch, do remove the 8mm bolts first. this way you can remove the strut where it attaches to the hatch and it will pivot up and down on the torx bolt. This removes all the pressure from the torx bolt, greatly reducing the chance of stripping it out.