My engine glass gas struts are weak, made worse by the cold weather (hopefully on the way). I've got some SOS replacements, but I'm having trouble removing the OE struts. I planned on just removing the lower bracket and then upper ball, leaving the OE struts and upper and lower attachments all connected (since SOS comes with new hardware for each end). However, the upper OE ball joints are not coming out of the glass frame easily. I fear continuing to use an open 12 mm box wrench on them will round the shoulders. Can the top ball of the OE strut be popped off the ball joint so that I can get a 6-point socket on it instead of the box wrench?
Glass hatch gas strut removal
- Thread starter Ex36
- Start date
The balls can be popped out by using two 90-degree picks, but it's very, very difficult. Most people either remove the hatch glass completely, or prop it with a wooden stick and replace the entire strut assembly one at a time.
Thanks for the suggestions. I bought a 12 mm flare wrench, but it was too bulky to fit around the ball. In the end leaving it for the day to soak in Aerokroil while I went to work was the magic ticket. The balls came right out and I'm rocking the new struts! Small things coming together for NSXPO 23....
I need to do this and I am now scared... I thought this was going to be simple
