I need to replace the struts that lift my manual tailgate. I see them at Autozone for around $25 eack - any experience with these replacements and any tips for removing and fitting would be very welcome.
mfahey
02-22-2007, 02:43 PM
If yours is similar to our old 1988 Caravan, the liftgate won't stay up when you disconnect one of the struts and it is very, very heavy. Either figure out a safe way to prop it up while you do the work or better yet, have someone hold it up while you replace the strut.
gsmagnum
02-22-2007, 06:24 PM
I have used Strong Arm brand struts from Napa on my Concorde hood with good results.
The '95 and earlier tailgates are heavy as all get out. Mine on my old '94 Voyager landed on my head when one of it's recalled struts broke off.
RickMN
02-22-2007, 08:29 PM
Autozone strut lifts are fine. I think there's really only two major mfgrs of these struts anyway--Gabriel and Monroe. If you want to do it safely, it's really a two person job. When you put the new strut in, you have to move the hatch up and down a bit to compress the piston. If you're using a 2x4 to hold the hatch, it will fall out. And as everyone has already said, the hatch is heavy.
RickMN
02-22-2007, 08:30 PM
Oh yes, you should replace them in pairs. if you replace only the weak one, it puts too much stress on the new one and you'll get premature failure.
acton mike
02-22-2007, 09:06 PM
get an assistant to help you - many hands make light work
