How To Replace Rear Hatch Support Struts 1982-92 Chevy Camaro
Created on: 2011-07-22
Watch this video to learn the steps for replacing the hatch support struts yourself on the 82-92 Chevy Camaro
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step 1 :Removing the Hatch Strut
- Raise the hatch
- Disconnect the wiring harnesses at each end of the hatch strut
- Prop the hatch up or have an assistant hold the hatch up
- Remove the T50 Torx bolt from the bottom of the hatch strut
- Remove the 8mm bolt from the top of the hatch strut
- Pull out the hatch strut
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step 2 :Installing the New Hatch Strut
- Put the new hatch strut into place with the bottom wiring contact facing the car interior
- Start the T50 Torx bolt by hand
- Connect the bottom wiring harness
- Lift the top of the hatch strut to the hatch
- Insert the 8mm bolt into the top of the hatch strut
- Tighten the T50 Torx bolt
- Connect the top wiring harness
- Repeat these steps for the other side
- Remove your prop
- Close the hatch
Tools needed
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Socket Extensions
8mm Socket
Ratchet
Assistant
Block of Wood
T50 Socket
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In this video, we're going to show you how to replace the rear hatch struts, the lift support struts on this '86 Camaro IROC-Z, same as any '82-'92 Camaro or Trans Am. The tools you'll need are a T50 Torx driver and an 8mm socket and ratchet, and also the proper lift struts. Depending on what options you had, a spoiler or rear wiper, the rear lift gate weighs different amounts, so the struts can be different, so just make sure you get the right ones from 1AAuto.com.
At the end of our car there's a little rust. There is one thing that works great on it, which is the rear tailgate. On these rear tailgates the hood/trunk pull-down motor and the hatch struts work together. So I'm going to pop the trunk, or the hatch and we'll see that the struts lift it right up. Then when you put it down, you're not supposed to slam these things down. You're just supposed to put them down and then the motor pulls it down. Even though our part works well we're going to show you how to replace the rear struts.
The first thing you may notice on your strut is there's an electrical connection. The car actually uses this strut to conduct current up into the rear defroster, so you'll want to just carefully pull those connectors off, and then you'll want to remove this bolt and this bolt. We're going to use a T50 Torx driver with a ratchet and if you've had one of these cars and your struts are bad, you probably are familiar with the telescoping broom to hold up the rear hatch. Either have one of these or have a helper that holds the hatch for you. I'm going to speed it up some here and you can see I use the T50 Torx driver to do that lower bolt, and you can also see that I don't even trust that pole, I just want to hold it with my hand, keep it in place, obviously make sure that that hatch doesn't come down on my arm. On this side is an 8 mm bolt. Speed it up here as I remove that 8 mm bolt. The bolt comes off.
We'll put this on. You want this contact facing in toward the car. Start that. We have this in here, the contact facing toward the inside of the car. Plug it in and then lift this up into place. You'll probably have to lift up on the gate some, and clip that into place. We'll speed it up here again as I put that 8mm bolt back into place and tighten it up, and then reach down and tighten up that T50 Torx bolt on the lower side. We'll repeat that for the other side. You should have a tailgate that supports itself. Bring it down nice and easy. We hope this helps you out.
We hope this video helps you out. Brought to you by www.1AAuto.com, your source for quality replacement parts and the best service on the Internet. Please feel free to call us toll-free, 888-844-3393. We're the company that's here for you on the Internet and in person.
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