Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting trunk lift strut replacement

so my trunk acts funny while opening. it is hard to open in the beginning and then easy toward the top. it stays open just fine, but one has to drop it from about an inch to prevent it from slamming.

anyway, i got new lifts from fordparts.com and i have no idea how to get them in there...

anyone ever do it?

the smaller (shaft) end goes into a small opening above and to the outside of the strut tower and i can't figure how to get the little clip off. once i get that sucker off, how do i get the new one back on?

i've read posts about the dealer doing it. but i accept the stealership as a final ditch effort.

thanks
-eric

use a little screwdriver to pry the clip straight off the end. then pull your shock. the new shocks should have clips installed on them, if not install the old clips onto the new shocks before installing. just snap the end of the shock onto the ball stud and you're done.

thanks for your reply.

i know HOW to do it, in theory.

have you ever looked in your trunk? there is no way to get a screw driver in to that little slot.
after i get it off and try to put the new one on, how, exactly do i just snap on the new fitting?

there is NO room in there.

if this is the only type of response i get, i'll try again. i was hoping for a response along the lines of "here is where the secret panel is that you have to remove" or "here is the special tool which i'll let you borrow."

Ha, ha, ha. You have to join the secret CEG society before we can tell you where the secret panel is!

the only secret panel is a mechanic. there's plenty of room in the trunk,,, while i am 16 and 130lbs, so plenty of room for me,,, i'll do it for you, bring your car on over.

for posterity...

so it actually wasn't as bad as i thought it was gonna be.
finally got in there...

took the side panels to the trunk interior off, got a long flat head screwdriver (big one) put a block of wood for leverage and just popped off the ends that are buried. the unburied ends are easy. now my trunk works better. still not the best ever, but better. :-)