300 TD Hatch Strut Success Story and Pointers
 

I just replaced my hatch struts yesterday and it went great, thanks in part to the posts I read here. Couple notes/pointers:

Read a post here suggesting holding hatch up with bungee cording secured to something sturdy. Tried it - it held hatch up and allowed for some play which is important for wiggling stuff in and out. Great pointer!

Couldn't get my hands on a hex driver so used a regular hex key in the slot plus a vise grip which I squeezed around the bolt head itself and pulled on both at same time. Worked to loosen the bolt holding front of strut. Screwed up the exterior of the bolt head a little but worked and that is the deal, isn't it?

Once you have front strut free and pull the clip on the rear, you will have to pull the strut out past the hatch "arm". Make sure you pull the strut out on the inside side (towards middle of car) of the arm, not the outside side of arm. I tried on the outside first and the strut simply would not fit past the arm. Took a few minutes to work it back around to the inside then, slid right past. Same for second strut.

Total job took two hours but was oddly fun. I guess that's the way it is with this stuff. And the hatch works fantastic! Before I would have to lift it up and support it with a broom handle, now I push the hatch release and it flies up, threatening to uppercut me out cold! Cool! My wife was even impressed though she says the job took longer than I said. That's another story

That's my input. Best of luck!

Paul Morgan

Thanks for the pointers. I'm about ready to tackle that one myself.

Later,

Don