Truck lid struts

[fireguyfire]

One of the projects on my 76 targa was to replace both trunk lid struts on my car. The original struts have faded and wont hold the trunk lid up anymore.
My brand new hood struts arrived a few days ago and tonight I decided to change them. The passenger side took about 5 minutes to change out so I moved on to the drivers side. The top pin came out easy but when I started trying to get at the bottom of the driversstrut I realized I was in for a headache. The lower pin is impossible to access as it has a couple of wiring harnesses running by it but worse the filler tube for the fuel tank runs right over the top of the base of the strut. I can barely see the base of the strut let alone get a hand in there to pull the lock pin out and pull the bottom strut pin out.
Has anyone else ran into this problem? If so, how did you go about getting that bottom pin out?

[rokemester]

You need to pick up some long skinny forceps. I think Harbor Freight has a variety of sizes. Alternatively find someone with very small hands! It's a pain with tight quarters.

[DRACO A5OG]

Long needle nose plyers or surgical tool at Harbor Freight Prepare to use a magnet to fish it out.

[twistoffat]

As the guys have said a long nose pliers will work if you donīt have small hands. If you can get a thread around the clip before you remove it because if it falls it will disappear.

[30westrob]

To install the lower left pin I use masking tape to tape the ridge portion of the pin to my middle finger. Then work the pin into the hole with the lower portion of the strut in place. When the pin is in place wiggle your finger and the tape will give up the pin. Then install the clip. Sounds a little kinky, works every time. Rob

[fireguyfire]

Great tip!

[Porboynz]

Finger-tip

[1983 911SC]

Replaced mine last week. Thought the driver side would be a ***** but realized it didn't have a clip on the bottom pin and the pin was inserted from the trunk side. Removed and replaced the pin with no clip.

[CCM911]

Same here. No bottom clip needed, as the pressure from the strut holds the pin in when the trunk is shut, so it really won't go anywhere.

Originally Posted by 1983 911SC

Replaced mine last week. Thought the driver side would be a ***** but realized it didn't have a clip on the bottom pin and the pin was inserted from the trunk side. Removed and replaced the pin with no clip.

[Luccia at Pelican Parts]

Figure #7 in our hood strut tech article has some good info (as individuals have already suggested). Can review it here: Porsche 911 Hood Strut Replacement | Pelican Parts DIY Maintenance Article.

We have a really great assortment of tools that may be useful to you for this as well: Pliers - Vice Grip, Tongue & Groove, Safety Wire and Snap Ring - Pelican Parts.

[Joe Bob]

No clip, this has been discussed ad nauseum in other threads....