Taking on the PITA Jobs, Trunk Lid Strut Replacement

[Gordo2]

Decided to take on a couple of little jobs tonight: Replacing worn out trunk lid hydraulic struts and my broken headlight washer/squirters.

Thought I was in for an easy night as I wrapped up the passenger side strut in record time. Then took a look at the lower driver's side. Man what a PITA that turned out to be. The parts falling into "no-see" land, and getting the bottom pin replaced turned out to be painful.

Once again, one of my best tools; a magnet on a bendable piece of wire (from Home Depot) saved me. I used it to fish out the parts that dropped and also get the pin started for re-insertion.

Figured out this trick while replacing my engine lid strut.

Bent the wire to give it a good angle to get at the back side of the strut mount. Stuck the pin on the magnet and managed to get the pin started in the hole. Lined up the strut, kept the magnet holding the pin in place and pressed it in the rest of the way with a finger.

Second strut took about an hour total, but lots of patience and frustration expended in the process.

Looked at the headlight washer/sprayer and noted that it looked equally ugly to get at. Finished off my 40oz and quit ahead of the game.

Gordo

[Targa Dude]

The Driver side Clip and Pin can easy removed and replaced with Long handled Hemostats. Piece of cake..

Jorge (Targa Dude)

[masraum]

My clip is in place also took me some time to do, but several people just leave the clip out. The tension created by the shock holds the pin in place. I think eventually I am going to go to a lightweight prop rod on the front and rear anyway. Not as pretty, but every little bit of weight counts.

[efhughes3]

I've got a new strut for the driver's side that 's been sitting in a cabinet for the day that I want to expose myself to that kind of frustration. After reading the posts here, maybe I'll try it this weekend. Although, compare: 10 minutes max to do the passenger side, 1 hour of cussing, fishing, fumbling to do the driver's side. Sounds like fun.

I don't have long handled hemostats- gave those up with an extracurricular activity in the 80's

[RickM]

I also have an extra new strut hanging around. Did the passenger side and after 30 minutes with the driver side I said F it. I'll try the Hemostat trick..I have them for fishing. :-)

[Wil Ferch]

Masraum has it right...
The driver's side clip is not necessary...the tension on the strut is high both closed and open...save yourself a lot of trouble...just use the pin without the clip in that location..
--Wil Ferch

[VincentVega]

That job can be a real pain. I tried the clip for maybe 30 minutes and my fat hands were useless. Replaced it with nut bolt and washer and all is well.

[ChrisBennet]

The driver's side front hood shock takes about 10 minutes to replace - if you have the right tool. Use a female spade connector fastened to the end of a piece of stiff wire (coathanger) to hold the pin.
-Chris

[efhughes3]

Chris:

Is your tool used for re-installing the clip?

[ChrisBennet]

Originally posted by efhughes3
Chris:

Is your tool used for re-installing the clip?

It holds the pin. I use hymostats to put the clip on.
-Chris

[Dave Ploss]

A question? Where do you get the Hemostats?

Dave

[ChrisBennet]

Originally posted by Dave Ploss
A question? Where do you get the Hemostats?

Dave

Next time you have an operation, wake up and swipe a couple when the surgeon isn't looking.
I think I got the last ones I bought at Radio Shack. You might try gun shows or mail order electronic places.
-Chris

[Don Plumley]

Harbor Fright is a great place to get Hemostats. They are foreign made, but cheap and serviceable.

[Joe Bob]

Head shops....

[911boost]

Oh yeah don't even try to tackle the headlight washer thing...

One of mine is a little cracked so I bought a new one and figured it would be an easy replacement, oh no.

I think I will wait until the bumper is removed at some point and time in the future.

Bill

Unless any of you have any advice on replacing the squirter thingies for the headlights.

[steve911]

I recall asking about replacing the headlight washers a while back and the response was "need to remove the front bumper - its a character-building exercise."

Needless to say, the front squirter still hasn't been repaired...

[Gordo2]

On the hood strut:

Figured I could have just pushed the pin in from the easy side and not use the clip and it would have been good to go and quick. Meanwhile I'm much too anal for that... Hemo's sound like a good tool to have, I could then be Dr Gordo like everyone else.

I'm going to go at the headlight washer tonight.
From the sounds of it the headlight washer may break the 40oz limit and move me into the 6 pack category. Will post how it goes and if I come up with any tricks to ease the pain (besides the old standard... alcohol). Stand by for late night alcohol induced post.

Gordo