Ok, my tailgate struts are done, finally. Took it to my trusty mechanic, who removed the bolts with the proper 12-point hex tool, not a 6-point allen that the manuals suggest- this is why Eric and I stripped the one on his wagon. New struts are in, the tailgate flies open now- instead of getting it in the back of the head, I think I'll probably take a whack on the chin...

Also, kinda funny- my mechanic actually thinks I am crazy- said in all his years, I am the 1st person to actually want the struts changed- he said everyone else just uses the broomstick method. Thing is- it's such a clever, fully-concealed design, that I hate to not have it working.

Now it does.

-Justin