Help with hatch struts install...

[enkrypt3d]

Ok I got my hatch struts from SoS the other day and I was trying to do the install by myself... the instructions don't do much in the way of telling you *everything* so I had a few questions...

Since my hatch struts are shot, you can't just take them off without propping up the hatch somehow since only one strut will not hold the hatch up by itself.

Whats the best way to do this?

As soon as I got the bottom part unbolted the whole thing came down on my head... so I decided to put it back until I have more time to mess with it.

Any insight as to what I'm missing?

I realized that a socket set isn't enough for the job so I'm going to have to grab a set of wrenches to unbolt the tops of the struts.

Also, SoS's website says that it comes w/ all needed hardware but I didn't receive any hardware. Just 2 struts and 2 zip ties... So I'm guessing I can use the screws that are on the car now?

I'll be replacing the trunk struts soon too so any input on that would be very helpful as well.

Thanks!

 

[Daedalus]

EDIT: Sorry, I just realized you're asking about the hatch. The below may help later when you do the trunk.

The instructions tell you to prop the hatch up. Use a prop or a friend. Make very sure that if the prop falls over (like when you push up on the lid) that it not fall onto a body panel. A friend is best. This is important because you want to do the bolting/unbolting with the struts in the unloaded state. Much easier and less risk that way.
The struts should have a threaded screw on one end an a monoball joint on the other. The threaded portion threads into the bottom, the monoball goes to the lid. A 12mm wrench is required for the bottom end. Make sure to place a towel over the body to minimize the risk of scratching the paint. No wrench is needed for the lid side. There is a C-clip that must be removed using a pick and/or small screwdriver. Also, there should have been 2 spacers in the box, which go on the monoball end because the SOS monoballs are smaller than the stock ones.

 

[enkrypt3d]

Well this is the product I got for the hatch. The bracket goes on the bottom w/ the 2 screws (using a 10mm socket wrench) and the other end is where I'd need the manual wrench to get to the lid attachments which I do not have yet.

I noticed that the brackets are facing the other way than what's in the pictures ....... and I can't turn it or compress/extend the struts w/ my hands.. not sure if this is going to be a problem when I mount them?

Also I have to get some WD40 to loosen one of the screws that holds the plastic garnish around the rear glass defroster wires. You have to loosen these wires to let the hatch open wider.

My trunk struts should be in by monday so I hope to have all this done by then as I have monday off ......... wish me luck!

 

[Daedalus]

What if you install the threaded end first and then twist the bracket end clockwise until it's oriented the way you need it? The rod should be able to spin in the body. I had to do the same with the trunk struts.

 

[Acura NsX Pilot]

Make sure that you install the right strut on the right side as they are not interchangeable . I installed one side on the hatch first then you will have to have someone either disconnect and hold up the other side high enough so you can align the side you are working on and put the screws back in or if you can find someone what I did was lower the hatch till the new strut was compressed part of the way and use wire to tie the strut so it stayed compresed slightly then raise the hatch again and it should have enough play to install it.

 

[enkrypt3d]

Make sure that you install the right strut on the right side as they are not interchangeable . I installed one side on the hatch first then you will have to have someone either disconnect and hold up the other side high enough so you can align the side you are working on and put the screws back in or if you can find someone what I did was lower the hatch till the new strut was compressed part of the way and use wire to tie the strut so it stayed compresed slightly then raise the hatch again and it should have enough play to install it.

How can I tell which one is which? Both look identical....

 

[Acura NsX Pilot]

I maybe wrong that they are side specific as I am looking at the pics I took....but after screwing the top portion on the lower portion the ball side is towards the outisde.

 

[Larry Bastanza]

The right and left are the same. Just rotate them into proper position.

HTH,
LarryB

 

[drewdeezee]

AH SUCKS!!! My clumsy @$$ stripped the right-most screw and now I cannot take the plastic wire panel off to extend the wires.

Just venting! Thanks. :redface:

 

[enkrypt3d]

AH SUCKS!!! My clumsy @$$ stripped the right-most screw and now I cannot take the plastic wire panel off to extend the wires.

Just venting! Thanks. :redface:

Yea I stopped before that happened..... the same exact screw it locked in there... I have to get something in there to remove it.... liquid wrench maybe?

You might have to drill it out man ..... but be careful!

-e

 

[DocL]

I think we need to ban you guys from Prime. This specific repair is one of easiest DIY's. :tongue:

 

[drewdeezee]

I think we need to ban you guys from Prime. This specific repair is one of easiest DIY's. :tongue:

As it should! The trunk struts were easy! It's that one seized (and now stripped) philips screw that's givin me a hurdle on this install.

 

[jimbonuttz]

As it should! The trunk struts were easy! It's that one seized (and now stripped) philips screw that's givin me a hurdle on this install.

dont feel bad mine stripped to, trunk struts went in with out a problem though...

sos even states in their instructions that the screws would probably strip due to old age.

 

[LJSB]

The same thing happened to me. One of the three screws was frozen and I could not get it out. I had to cut the cover off and use a Vise-Grip plier to get the center screw out.
Two out of three screws came out using a quality Snap-On driver tip.
The last was locked tight.
Have fun.

 

[nsxpowered]

drewdeezee: At Sears or Home Depot you can purchase a screw remover bit or tool. Hope this helps.

 

[drewdeezee]

drewdeezee: At Sears or Home Depot you can purchase a screw remover bit or tool. Hope this helps.

Ah nice! I've been procrastinating and putting off the install but will run to Sears today. Thanks so much! :biggrin:

 

[squid2004]

Got my new struts in and hope to get them installed this weekend

 

[03 raw nsx]

I think we need to ban you guys from Prime. This specific repair is one of easiest DIY's. :tongue:

:smile:

 

[squid2004]

Finally got around to doing this... went on with no problems (hatch & trunk). The SOS hatch instructions just talked about the wiring extension and not so much the struts install but if you have the trunk instructions all the same basically applies. Without the trunk instructions I might have been a little lost on the hatch but it wasn't too bad once you looked at everything.

Some things to note:
- as far as extended the OEM hatch wires: give the orange tabs a bit of a squeeze (on the sides) with pliers to easily remove them and then cut the OEM brown ties

- the hatch struts may need to be "turned" at the bottom so the bracket lines up properly

- you have to loosen/remove both OEM struts so you can lift the hatch high enough to get these new struts on

- removing the OEM cable holder on the driver's side trunk strut took a little bit of playing... I basically had to cut it apart in order to get the wires out from running through it.


All in all took about 40 minutes for both hatch and trunk... probably quicker but I couldn't find my 12mm wrench