Rear hatch supports

[JetPilot]

I recently bought new rear hatch supports but the old ones have these metal clips on them that look like they connect to the rear windshield defrost. The new ones don't have these. Did I buy the wrong kind or is there a way to put those clips onto the new supports- It doesnt look like there is but then again I have never done this before - thanks for the help!

[Cocacolakidd]

Yep you need those clips to attach the power for the rear window defrost - there is a difference in the two supports also - one left and one right...Send those back and get the correct ones - those will not fit a Porsche 944 correctly...

[rmcdonnell]

Hi,

I think the point of these is to provide the supply on one side (you will need to check this) and a ground on the other for the heated rear window, and the strut is used as a neat way of getting the electrical connections between the car chassis, and a bit of glass that goes up and down.

Obviously the supply side must not connect to the chassis, just the window, and the ground side must make a good connection to ground. You will need to either remove and see if you can use the clips you have, or fabricate some yourself, possibly using wire spade housings soldered to washers or something similar that can be fastened to the new strut.

One snag to look for is that the housing of the new strut may not conduct very well to the operating arm, even if it appears to make contact, and any duff connections will tend to stop the rear window heater work, as it draws a fair bit of current.

A bit of fairly thick wire that's long enough (with a bit of slack for strut operation) can be used instead if the new struts don't conduct well or are difficult to make a decent connection to. The wire could be held at each end of the strut with tie wraps.

Best of luck
cheers

Rissole

Or get the right ones!!

[racer]

x3, specific mounts for left and right. Our host sells them. One part # for each side (and iirc, a small price difference between left and right. (I bought mine just a few months ago... and never realized the hatch should actually open up by itself once unlatched!)

[944 Ecology]

Originally Posted by racer

and never realized the hatch should actually open up by itself once unlatched!)

Actually, if the hatch rises by itself, the struts are too strong, and, over time, will deform the hatch frame, causing the separation of the glass from the frame. (The frame can stretch, but the glass cannot.)

[Cocacolakidd]

Some people have never owned a new one - where the hatch used to rise every time when the switch is applied.

I have never installed new supports in the back unless the hatch once again would rise up when opened.....How does one find the weaker supports???

[racer]

Weak supports? keep the ones you already have. If the hatch isn't opening, then they are weak enough