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How To Fit and Remove Tailgate Gas Struts

Click here to download the gas strut fitting guide PDF (382 KB)

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Gas struts are absolutely fundamental to the workings of your car. Whether you’re an expert car enthusiast looking to make improvements to your vehicle, or you’re simply needing to replace your old, tired existing vehicle gas struts with new ones, many people will get to a point where they will need to replace their gas struts.

The problem, of course, is that you might not know how to replace your vehicle’s gas struts if you’re not an expert, and even if you are, it’s always helpful to be reminded of the proper procedure. Additionally, it’s not the most difficult thing to do in the world, and this means that you shouldn’t have too much trouble when it comes to actually carrying it out. In just a few quick, straightforward steps, you’ll be able to fit your own gas struts, removing your old ones and replacing them with the correct, new version. So, without further ado, here’s our straightforward guide to vehicle gas struts and how to fit them.

What Are Vehicle Gas Struts?

You might not realize it, but gas struts are essential to the proper functioning and working of your vehicle. Whether you’re just an ordinary car user who needs to replace the gas struts in your car boot, or you’re a real automotive aficionado looking to enhance your vehicle by adding vertical opening doors to your car requiring new gas struts, the fundamental fact is that gas struts are everywhere. With that being the case, it would be useful if you could learn how to fit them.

  • Fitting Gas Struts

    The good news is that realistically, fitting gas struts isn’t as difficult as it might sound. There are only a small number of steps to follow and if you follow them correctly, you should have no real trouble removing your old gas struts and replacing them.
    Fitting Gas Struts

  • 1. Removing The Old Struts

    The first thing you’ll need to do when it gets to the time where you need to replace your gas struts is remove the old ones (assuming you’ve purchased your new ones, of course; if not, you should do that before progressing). While you’re waiting for them to arrive, you can occupy yourself with the process of removing your existing struts. Removing existing struts isn’t a necessarily difficult task, though it can be a fiddly process. You’ll need to get a screwdriver to lift up the metal clip on the strut, and then you can pull the strut away from the ball stud. Once your new struts have arrived, you can compare them to your old ones to ensure they’re going to fit.
    1. Removing The Old Struts

  • 2. Fitting the New Ones

    Once you’ve removed your old gas struts and ensured that the new ones are going to fit, you can begin the process of installing your new ones. For the new struts that have plastic ball joints, the good news is that you won’t have to learn anything new; you can simply add the new struts in the same way you removed the old ones (though obviously in reverse). Simply lift the metal clip and push the strut onto the stud. As a warning, you should remember to make sure that the metal clip is firmly in place so that the gas strut can’t come free. For struts with metal ball joints, you’ll need to remove the metal safety clip and then push the cup over the stud on the vehicle. Once the cup is in the socket replace the metal safety clip.
    2. Fitting the New Ones

  • 3. Pin Type Fittings

    Some vehicles use a pin type fitting rather than the standard band type but they are just as simple to fit. Unclip the pin from around the base of the fitting and totally remove it from the fitting
    3. Pin Type Fittings

  • Pull the retaining pin out - it must be fully removed from the ball stud

  • Once the pin is removed the gas strut can be pulled off, leaving the ball attached to the vehicle. To fit your new struts remove the pin, push fit them onto the ball stud and replace the pin. And there you have it: you should now be in the possession of working vehicle gas struts.
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