I am ready to move on to the less essential parts of my daughters car. First on the list is the trunk lid lifts. Anyone with any tips or hints to make this tricky looking job go smoothly? The car has no spoiler and it is my understanding that the lifts for a car with or without one will work. Is that correct? Thank you, Keith
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Replacing trunk lid lifts (need a Geenie)
- Thread starter annacon
- Start date
CSVT1214
Addicted CEG'er
Go with the spoiler struts if you haven't bought them already. If you go with OEM Ford, they are actually cheaper for the stronger strut.
To change them, you have to pop the clips off with a flathead screwdriver. Once the clips are off, the strut with slide right off. If you feel any resistance at all, then the clip is still locked on.
Don't pry away at them. You can damage the ball that they lock onto and then have problems when you go to put the new one in.
To change them, you have to pop the clips off with a flathead screwdriver. Once the clips are off, the strut with slide right off. If you feel any resistance at all, then the clip is still locked on.
Don't pry away at them. You can damage the ball that they lock onto and then have problems when you go to put the new one in.
blu_fuz
New Member Classroom vulture
The best tip I can give you is find a small flat blade screwdriver with a really long shaft, like 8"-1' you'll see why 
.
.shaggist
CEG'er
Trunk strut removal and installation
Trunk strut removal and installation
Removal and installation of the trunk lift struts can be difficult, but here are a few tips to ease the process.
First, make sure the trunk is well supported in the open position, otherwise it will close on you as soon as you take the first strut off and you'll be trapped in the trunk. Not good.
To remove the old struts, use a long-shanked, slot-tipped screwdriver to pry the spring clips up enough to remove them from the metal balls at each end. This can be difficult to do from inside the trunk, but it is possible. The easier way is to remove the rear seat side bolsters and the trim on the edge of the parcel shelf, exposing a hole that is designed to make reaching the inner end of the strut very simple. Insert the screwdriver under the clip and pry up until the strut comes off the ball. The outer end is easy to reach and much simpler.
Pry the new clips up to where they clamp onto the end part that fits over the ball. Do this before you try to put them on. Then, when the struts are in place, push the clips back down, and they will snap when they are seated.
Trunk strut removal and installation
Removal and installation of the trunk lift struts can be difficult, but here are a few tips to ease the process.
First, make sure the trunk is well supported in the open position, otherwise it will close on you as soon as you take the first strut off and you'll be trapped in the trunk. Not good.
To remove the old struts, use a long-shanked, slot-tipped screwdriver to pry the spring clips up enough to remove them from the metal balls at each end. This can be difficult to do from inside the trunk, but it is possible. The easier way is to remove the rear seat side bolsters and the trim on the edge of the parcel shelf, exposing a hole that is designed to make reaching the inner end of the strut very simple. Insert the screwdriver under the clip and pry up until the strut comes off the ball. The outer end is easy to reach and much simpler.
Pry the new clips up to where they clamp onto the end part that fits over the ball. Do this before you try to put them on. Then, when the struts are in place, push the clips back down, and they will snap when they are seated.
blu_fuz
New Member Classroom vulture
Please don't take the rear deck carpet off, the clips are easily accessable from the trunk with a long small flat blade screwdriver, but good tips though.
Big Jim
Hard-core CEG'er
I had more success going in from the back seat. If you don't succeed from going after it from the trunk, go in from the back seat.
I don't have a rear spoiler and used the non spoiler struts. Unfortunately, I should have used the spoiler struts. The trunk does not stay open if I'm parked on a slight incline.
I don't have a rear spoiler and used the non spoiler struts. Unfortunately, I should have used the spoiler struts. The trunk does not stay open if I'm parked on a slight incline.
SVTJON87
Hard-core CEG'er
also make sure you have a helper or something to hold the trunk lid up if you have your legs hanging out the trunk. once you remove one lift strut the trunk will slam shut. and it hurts.:blackeye:
blu_fuz
New Member Classroom vulture
I just removed another set 2 days ago..... Undo the trunk arm side first, push the strut over towards the side of the car, and undo the rear clip. All done with a 6" small flat blade screwdriver. It only took like 2 minutes :shrug:..... It took longer to wipe off the struts than to remove them....
Silver Bullet
CEG'er
+1
although it did take me a couple extra minutes to remove the trunk side panels to gain easy access to the back strut clip.