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If so, how do you do it? Do you have to take the spoiler off to get at the bolts? Thats what it looks like to me. I want to paint mine to match my hood struts.. but I cant find a way to get them off of the car. They seem to have clips that hold them on too, but im afraid to break those. The front ones just unbolted. TIA.
-------------------- Mike 2001 Z-28 A4 Triple Black Convertible Performance: 160* T-Stat | Adjustable Fan Switch | Direct-Flo Lid | DYNOMOUTH :devil: | FRA | Hotchkis STB | K&N Filter | SLP Air Temp. Modual Smooth Bellow | TB Bypass & Bumpstop 1st dyno Results: 3/2/02 Stock RWHP: 287.5@5100rpm RWTQ: 306.8@4500rpm Apperance: 3rd brake light Z-28 cover | 4 Headlight mod and Foglight mod Both w/ override switches | Chrome CAMARO lettering in grille and rear facia | Head light, Tail light, Turn signal & Side marker blackouts | Limo tint 5% | LS1 FRC's | MacEwan Silver gauge/shifter overlays w/ red bulbs | Passenger window Express-down | Polished Calipers with Red Brackets & Decals | !A.I.R. | !AutoHeadlights | !DRL's w/ override switch | !PassengerWires | !Side Mouldings | Scott Settlemier Shock Tower Sig. Good for at least 5HP!
1980 Corvette See web page if interested, I'll spare you the details because it's not an LS1 Posts: 30 | From: DeLand FL | Registered: Feb 2002
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Service Manual says to remove the bolt first then use a flat bladed tool to remove the strut from the mounts. This is a ball and socket arrangement so prying it at the strut end as close to the socket as possible is what they want you to do. Support the window panel so it doesn't shut upon removal.
To install simply push the socket over the ball you will hear a snap when you get it.
Posts: 298 | From: Mason, OH | Registered: Feb 2003
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Be VERY careful. We had a friend take off their hatch struts on an IROC, not realizing that's what holds the back glass in. It came down hard, shattering in a million pieces, and nearly taking his hand off in the process. It's very heavy and as he found out later, very expensive.
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I'm guessing it'd be a lot easier and no worries to the glass in a vert, right?! I know the hood is one heavy beast without the struts on it, but I think the rear deck and spoiler should be easy compaired to that or is my logic flawed? Thanks for the tip on removing them though, looks like those clips need to come off after all.
Posts: 30 | From: DeLand FL | Registered: Feb 2002
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I didn't notice it was a convertible (I click on the daily topic link rather than search each individual forum). When the post referred to rear hatch struts, I assumed a coupe since convertibles don't have hatches. If it has said "rear trunk lid struts", I would have thought convertible. Sorry about that.....(nevermind...I'll climb back under my rock now).
[ 07. April 2003, 01:55 PM: Message edited by: HTWLSS ]
Posts: 7198 | From: Near Portland, Oregon, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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hehe Not a problem at all... its a good warning for Coupe owners as well. Sorry for not being more specific.. I only use the 'vert forum on this board, so I didnt think about it either. Posts: 30 | From: DeLand FL | Registered: Feb 2002
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So you need a flat bladed screwdriver to carefully remove the strut from the mounts did you get it off yet?
Posts: 298 | From: Mason, OH | Registered: Feb 2003
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I've been lazy. I'll attempt it tomorrow though and take some pics while Im at it. Seems like a few people are curious as well.
Posts: 30 | From: DeLand FL | Registered: Feb 2002
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The Flat Blade screw driver did the trick. You'll also need something to prop the trunk lid up with, its VERY heavy without the struts holding it up. You need a really small one for the bottom clip. Here are a few pics of the removal process. It was very easy except the bottom clip (which is wedged in by the weatherstripping and the worst part was tracking down one of the clips that shot off of the strut like a bullet Lastly, a picture of my temporary truck 'strut' untill I get my old ones reinstalled. Please pardon my dust
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Here's the result after taking them off. Really trivial... but now it matches my hood struts The paint is 'chrome' and red. The chrome is a very, very reflective silver as you can see with the flash reflecting from it making it look white.
This is the underhood stuff that it now matches: Posts: 30 | From: DeLand FL | Registered: Feb 2002
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That looks pretty sharp there Kid. Did you notice, or perhaps someone else has, that the metal frame piece with the bolt that mounts the struts to the deck lid is rusted? I took a look at mine yesterday out of curiosity from your post and saw that the metal and bolts on both sides have the paint flaking off of them and are rusting. I'm probably going to get some POR15, mask everything off and try to get in there as best as I can with a small brush, but didn't know if anyone else has this problem.
-------------------- Brian '02 Camaro SS Convertible: The Details... Posts: 198 | From: Orlando, Florida | Registered: Oct 2002
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I'm guessing it'd be a lot easier and no worries to the glass in a vert, right?! I know the hood is one heavy beast without the struts on it, but I think the rear deck and spoiler should be easy compaired to that or is my logic flawed? Thanks for the tip on removing them though, looks like those clips need to come off after all.
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