Chevy & GMC Vans

Today when we opened the rear hatch of the van is came slamming right back down again. It has been sitting low for the last while, but now it won't prop up at all. Where can I get the parts to fix this? Any hints on doing the job?

Easy as pie. If you look at the strut ends there are little metal bands . you pop em off and then the struts just pop off after they are removed. ( prop the door up of course ) Take a strut to a parts supplier to match it up with a replacement.

Thanks Postski. Sounds really easy.

If you go to the stealership, each strut sets you back $54. But the switch at the top end of the strut unscrews. A generic strut at an auto parts house won't cost near as much.

Since we are on the subject of Rear Hatch Struts. I have a question.

What are the 2 wires used for that enter the end of the struts?

I have checked my Wiring Diagrams, and still haven't figured this one out.

Thanks
LastCat

Squid: So I could just go to Napa or Carquest and get the struts and attach the thing with the two wires. Maybe I should take a strut off and have a look,.

LastCat: My guess, and this is just a guess, is that the wires are for the switches for the interior light.

last cat: one is for the lights and the other is for the power door latch.

i got mine at auto zone there are 2 kinds a screw kind and a pop off kind. my 99 was pop off so check before. they look like they would screw off but i would guess pop off is most common i have done it on a few cars. and i think i paid 30 for each strut but really only needed one, i changed them both anyway.

There are times I wish I lived closer to the border, at least then I would have an autozone to go to.

Crappy Tire sells these struts for cheap.
I know, I know it's Crappy Tire, but they have saved my but with parts more times than I care to mention.

Well, I will have to run out to C-tire then.

See? We saved you some shekels. Now you can replace both struts instead of just one.

So how does the switch come off? It looks press fitted on mine which is the type of strut that you pull the clip off and then it pulls off.

I believe they just unscrewed, been a few years now though. I got the Autozone ones. Not quite as good as OEM i dont think but cheap enough. The back hatch lifts a bit slower, but not a big deal at all.

Scott

I got it done. $33 with tax each. A little fiddling to get the ends off, and get the clips back on in the dark, and it is all finished. It is nice not to have the dutch door trying to knock my brains out every time I open it.