Rea Seat Strut/shock replacement help

[wyman]

I found out that one of the seat struts is broken, the struct/shock is used to help slowly lower the back seats.

I am having diffulty install the replacement as the struct is longer (about a finger's length) that the two studs on each end. Do I need to compress the strut?

On the 40% rear seat, there are two shocks, so I took out the one that was still connected and it expands a little immediately after I took it out.

[Q]

I would try to compress the strut and secure the ends with some sort of rigged up loop to keep it compressed.

[Gilly]

I've done it using a large channel-locks pliers as a lever to compress it (put the upper jaw on the seat frame above the ball, and the lower jaw on the head of the strut) then used a second pliers to snap the head onto the ball.

Gilly

[wyman]

Originally Posted by Gilly

I've done it using a large channel-locks pliers as a lever to compress it (put the upper jaw on the seat frame above the ball, and the lower jaw on the head of the strut) then used a second pliers to snap the head onto the ball.

Gilly

I tried that and still not enogh leverage as it keep slipping off the jaw, this #$%@# gas spring is such an PIA to replace.

[Gilly]

There's a special tool to compress and install it. I don't know the tool number off hand. The slip joint pliers is the only other thing that has worked for me, as I recall I used a second person to operate the second set of smaller slip joints to press the end onto the ball. See if your closest dealer has the tool, maybe they'll let you borrow it.
Gilly