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Replacing rear hatch gas springs/struts

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Old Apr 10, 2014 | 01:58 PM
  #1  
Maurelius's Avatar
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Replacing rear hatch gas springs/struts

Hey,

I'm sorry for coming with such a simple question, but I just don't want to do anything stupid and hurt my car... I'm just wondering about how to replace the rear gas springs. I did it on the front/hood already and that was simple enough, but the rear ones are screwed in place and at the inner side there's a large torx bolt. Now the problem is that I tried turning this bolt (counter clockwise) but it's giving me a lot of resistance and the resistance doesn't seem to ease up as I go, and I can't really say if it's rising either. So am I doing this wrong? Is there some special trick to this, or should I just keep forcing it?
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Old Apr 10, 2014 | 07:16 PM
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From: MICHIGAN
Car: 1988 Trans Am
Engine: L03
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 2.73 Open
Re: Replacing rear hatch gas springs/struts

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Old Apr 10, 2014 | 07:19 PM
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From: Ontario, Canada
Car: 1985 Pontiac Trans Am
Transmission: BW T5, Hurst Short Throw Shifter
Axle/Gears: 3.70 Posi
Re: Replacing rear hatch gas springs/struts

Give it a good soak of penetrating oil, PB Blaster or the like...let it sit and try it again...should come out.
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Old Apr 10, 2014 | 07:21 PM
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From: Short Summer, VT
Car: 1985 Trans Am T-Top
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T-5 5 Speed
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi 1LE 10 bolt
Re: Replacing rear hatch gas springs/struts

Disconnect the rear first, lift as high as you can to disconnect, have a helper or good support, the hatch weighs a ton. After both are off at the rear, then do the front. The bolt is pretty heavy duty and may have some rust. Check after you get it out that previous monkey didn't cross thread it.
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Old Apr 11, 2014 | 11:02 AM
  #5  
Maurelius's Avatar
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Re: Replacing rear hatch gas springs/struts

I'll try these things, good to know that it's supposed to come out like a regular screw so at least I don't have to worry about turning it despite the resistance. Thanks a lot guys!
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Old Apr 17, 2014 | 01:10 PM
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Re: Replacing rear hatch gas springs/struts

Yup just push hatch all the way up full stretch, have a helper like they said earlier and that will take the tension off. I did the same thing minus the helper lets just say I had a goose egg that wasn't pretty.
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