1998 V70 Lift Gate Strut

Post by **chexny** » 19 Jan 2015, 11:56

Trying to replace the lift gate struts on my wagon. I bought a cheap set via Ebay and I cannot get them on. After spending 30 minutes trying to pry them on I finally held them up against versus the originals and it appears via eyeball that they are maybe 1/16th too long.

The seller is saying they should fit. I did put the originals back on in like 5 secs max. Am I missing something? Is that difference within a normal tolerance? Do I just need to squeeze them a bit (very difficult obv) to put them on? It seems like it should be easy thing to do but I cannot get them on at all. Any suggestions before I pay for return shipping.

Post by **misha** » 19 Jan 2015, 12:05

Attach one side of the strut and then lift the tailgate as far as it can go to attach the other one.Ask somebody to lift it and to keep it in that position untill you snap on the new strut.

Did you removed security pins from struts?

Forget on compressing the struts....even the old ones cannot be compressed by hand.

Post by **chexny** » 19 Jan 2015, 12:18

The security pin from the new ones? Yes I did remove those prior to attempting installation. The originals didn't have a pin. I had the liftgate as high as it would go and secured with a wood post. I can try to get the neighbor to see if it will push up higher but it really did not go any higher. And the originals went back on easy at same height.

mika · Post by **mika** » 19 Jan 2015, 12:20

Did this the past weekend by myself: would have been easier with helper

Have someone pull it as far as it can go. Experiment with which side you try to attach first.

Also, you might be putting them on backwards? The wider part of strut is closer to the tailgate.

As misha said, forget about compressing it. He also mentioned security pins, but I have never seen them before (probably should have)

Post by **E Showell** » 19 Jan 2015, 12:22

You can loosen the tailgate hinge mounting points to get a little extra play, but I wouldn't take the nuts off completely. Just back 'em off a couple turns and that should give you a little extra room to work. It's a pretty well-known installation trick.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 19 Jan 2015, 12:49

^^+1

I just replaced them on the "new" XC yesterday and loosening the bolts is the trick. Be careful when you open it with the new struts - it will whack you.

...Lee

Post by **chexny** » 19 Jan 2015, 13:10

Thanks. I will take a look at the bolts. In the meantime here is a photo I just took. From my phone hopefully this work .

Post by **cn90** » 19 Jan 2015, 14:03

Stabilus only.

Post by **E Showell** » 19 Jan 2015, 14:05

Yeah -- I only use Stabilus.

Post by **misha** » 19 Jan 2015, 14:11

Few months ago when i replaced mine,Stabilus wasn't available.

I bought Monroe Max Lift instead and the price was around 50eur/pair & 2 years warranty.

Stabilus had the same price but wasn't available.