Rear Glass Lift Supports

Discussion in 'General Automotive Tech' started by onthewagon, Mar 1, 2010.

  1. onthewagon

    onthewagon New Member

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    This simple project is becoming laughable!!! I just replaced replaced both struts that support the rear top glass hatch above the tailgate on a 1995 Buick Roadmaster. Now the lifts seem to have it permanently propped open!

    What gives (literally and figuratively?!?) I seem to remember that a slight upward lift released the glass, and that one would then gently lower it into place.

    Thanks in advance for your help with this.
     
  2. 94x2

    94x2 New Member

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    Do you mean they won't let you close the glass at all? Or are just real stiff? Make sure they are for that application and not hood struts. On all 3 of mine they don't like to lift the glass without help but keep it open just fine.
     
  3. tbirdsps

    tbirdsps New Member Charter Member

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    They may be too much for the glass. Typically the "heavy lift" struts are used for the hood or the whole gate will the light lifts are used for glass.

    I have a single strut on my Cougar and it's more than enough. Too much pressure could end up shattering the glass.
     
  4. onthewagon

    onthewagon New Member

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    Okay, mystery solved. I decided to give it just a tad more pressure using both hands in a smooth motion and--voila! It closed just fine. In fact, I opened and closed lthe rear glass hatch several times with no problem. I guess I was so paranoid that I was going to break the glass that I was applying almost no pressure at all. Thanks for your help guys.

    Stand by for another stupid question soon! (And don't tell me that there's no such thing as a stupid question . . . I'm a teacher, and I know there is an entire universe of stupid questions on any given day!)
     
  5. 94x2

    94x2 New Member

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    I'm glad it worked out! One thing I want to share because I learned the hard way - after much troubleshooting and head scratching. Make sure the rear defrost still works. I discovered some aftermarket struts are painted and don't get a good contact since the current runs through the strut. Where in the triad are you? I'm just outside of Raleigh.
     
  6. Stormin' Norman

    Stormin' Norman Well-Known Member

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    The only stupid question, is the one that isn't asked.:rofl2:
     
  7. onthewagon

    onthewagon New Member

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    94x2, thanks for the heads up. I planned on testing the rear defrost this weekend. I'm in the Winston Salem area.
     

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