How I remove & install the Hatch Struts for my Toyota Celica (2000 GT)

The Hatch Struts are well known as failing in a couple years. They cost $300 per pair from the dealer. And I found this matched pair online and paid $82 out the door. The way these struts designed are very difficult to remove. The two bolts at the bottom of the trunk shock are no problem. It's the ballstud-bolt at the top that takes work getting out. The screw is thread-locked in using locktite or some other screw adhesive. This means it is impossible to remove (you will strip the bolt trying so don't bother) unless you first apply some type of heat to the bolt. I read a tutorial and tried replacing it. I found out it isn't hard to do at all. I have very basic garage tools and a lighter. If I do it again (w/the easy way in video), I can probably get both sides done in 10-15 mins... of course with a friend holding the spoiler in case of falling. Anyway, it works and my wife is very happy with the result. Thanks everyone for providing different resources, it saved me lots of money.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• How
• to
• 2000
• Toyota
• Celica
• GT
• GTS
• GT-S
• Hatch
• Struts
• Trunk
• Lifts
• Support
• Install
• Installation

[Elantragt1]

@kwok3d...amazingly it is also a "strongarm" brand hatch support, except I purchased mine from advance auto parts just under 2 weeks ago...idk...I think its because the cold...it also goes up faster & stronger when I take the 2 strings off the trunk cover from the hatch...can't complain though...it does stay open :-) lol

[kwok3d]

@Elantragt1 Well, I'm in AZ, so I'm sure it's warmer than your area :) If you order from Amazon, you should replace another pair, they have great customer service, print you label for return shipping and ship new one ahead. You never know if it's really the bad one 1 out of 99 of them.

[Elantragt1]

My new hatch shocks aren't as strong as yours :-/ lol

[kwok3d]

@Elantragt1 sorry to hear that. did you get it from Amazon? It's the Strongarm brand sold by Lift Supports Depot. I got mine in July 2009 and it's still rising strong!

[mafm]

i'm still having problems trying to remove the nut. I have the 12mm wrench, i heat the nut up but it just wants to strip. I even heated it up longer but it still won't budge, only strip (both sides). any suggestions? the gap between the ball and the washer is also too small for me to get my vice grip in.

[kwok3d]

@mafm Can you cut off the ball like I did in the beginning? Then remove it like 2:01 except you be using the ring-style wrench (the other end) to remove it. Hope it works for you...

[554jmichaels]

@kwok3d Hey man is there any other wway of removing it from the ball besides cutting it with a hack saw?

[CauldronicKeep]

Nice vid dude! wher did you get the new ball ended bolts thou. im looking around my place, canadian tire, princess auto and no one has them.

thanks

[nfarboody]

Thanks man, worked like a charm and saved me a bunch of money. Just an fyi, the hatch struts have a particular left right orientation, usually the groove on the bottom attachment must face up. And the head can be adjusted to face the mount by using pliers and a little elbow grease.

[kungfumaniac96]

@zx6rr1185 i used a blow torch last night for this and it works so much better than a lighter. just make sure to block the flame from ruining certain areas of ur trunk

[zx6rr1185]

Dang with I woulda seen this before I stripped the bolts. No wonder why the wouldn't come loose. I'll throw on a flame torch and try that.

[goodcuz]

thank u just what i needed

[thorridermx27]

sweet man did this today by cutting the old ones off and it worked perfect. thanks!

[williamhudsonlink]

After you make the cut using the saw, use a 6 point 12mm deep socket head to remove the top bolt that is so hard to get loose. It works so much easier than using the 12 point. The 12 point sockets will just strip the head of the bolt. Slide a two foot long ( or so ) half inch piece of EMT pipe ( or any other somewhat strong type of pipe ) over the handle of your socket wrench to get extra leverage on the bolt head.

[crusadermil]

I wish I noticed this video when I was trying to replace my struts. Now my car needs some body work done becuase I tore a hole in it after being so frustrated with this task.

[spiketwome]

@gidenko247 hey im looking for the same thing

were you able to find it?