I think I know the answer, but want to run it by the pros on the site.

I have an 88 GTA notchback that the previous owner put a normal rear hatch on...

I found an original fiberglass notchback hatch to replace, as I want to put the car back to stock.

I am not able to find e correct hatch struts to use.

So my question is, will it be ok to run the hatch without struts? Will I be hurting the body when raising the hatch (I know it won't stay up of course)...and how about the power pull down, that be ok as well?

 

My friend's car has bad struts.....doesn't seem to hurt anything but it does tweak the glass an awful lot...also the hatches are incredibly heavy and very hard to lift without working struts...strut lifting capacity vary for different years depending on spoilers/no spoilers/ etc...so you should be able to find the correct variety for the notch back.

 

I would be very careful closing the hatch. The pulldown motor housing is very brittle plastic and are notorious for breaking when people slam the hatch shut. Just let it down gently and push on it to latch. Struts are 60-80 bux a pair, but the rebuild kit is 100 for the pulldown motor. You really don't want to buy both.

 

I can see the notchback struts are a little longer, have different connectors, and have no connectors for the defroster.

 

I found this if it helps . Seems you will also need the support cylinder bracket. Part #5
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/catalog/frameset.cfm
They have what your looking for.
Sorry there is no direct link. You will have to go through the standard search procedure.
Maybe someone can find you a better price because that's $172.00 for the pair.
SHOPPING CART Description MSRP Price Your Price Qty Total Cost Collision Catalog - 1988 - Pontiac - FIREBIRD
body hardware, lift gate, support cylinder W/NOTCHBACK $86.25 ea. SuBTotal: $86.25

 

Your hatch is livin' on the edge without struts.

I have broken a rear window when I was using a hatch with no struts. They are REALLY heavy, and twist a lot.

I think it's pay me now or pay me later.

:edit: I re-read the post. My experience was with regular hatch. I don't know about the weight or rigidity of notchback. Still, I personally would worry about twisting. Let me know your experiences with it.

 

My notchback didnt have struts when I got it. Smashed the hell out of the power pull down assembly. I got standard Trans Am struts and it works perfectly fine with no issues.

 

I broke a hatch window, after struts went bad. Not a good idea to let that maintenance hang.

 

Ron, this is very helpful...thank you so much! I didn't know those were still available (and until now have not been able to find).

My car actually still as the support cylinder bracket already on the car, so I am good on that front.

I am going to guess that the left and right struts are probably the same since it only shows one strut on the diagram?

 

interesting, how did you install the regular struts on the notchback hatch? just wondering...

 

To the ones breaking the window without struts...how? The only way I can see it happening is if you twist the glass while raising/lowering, which really isn't the struts (or lack of) fault. That's just user error. The struts do put tension on the glass and help keep it straight when opening/closing. But I don't really see much beyond that.

 

I can see how you could easily twist a hatch and break the glass without having lift supports on a hatch. The lifts help hold it square while opening and closing it. I had to replace the lift supports on my convertible trunk lid. It was difficult opening it and I had to be real carelful closing it due to the power pull-down. Let me tell you, that little sucker was heavy!

 

Direct LInk

This is going to be a handy URL to work with

 

We carry new hatch struts on our website.

Pontiac Firebird Rear Hatch Struts

 

Ok so unfortunately heard back from them today and they said that the notchback struts have loon been discontinued/not available, so back to square one.

Anyone have any other ideas?

 

1ATony,

I don't see anything on your site listed for an 88 notchback...?