Liftgate supports

dkad260 · Dec 23, 2024

What liftgate supports are people using without issues? I tried a pair from Amazon, can't think of the name, but when I snapped it on the ball socket, it was a hard push, which made me nervous to install the other side. So I tried to remove it....not happening...I had to cut it off (not the mount) so I let them know and returned them.

Needless to say I'm hesitant to try another aftermarket without asking.

Edit to add:

This is what I bought and had to end up cutting off as I thought the ball socket was going to snap off while trying to remove them.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07CJ96GYL?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Joseph Garcia · Dec 24, 2024

Go to GMPartsDirect.com, enter your VIN, go to the Body section, and look for the exploded diagram of rear tailgate. You should find what you are looking for along with the correct part number. And, the cost will be significantly cheaper than the local dealer.

I changed out my struts about 1 1/2 years ago. The ball socket is supposed to be firm to hold the struts in place, but you should be able to pop them off with a screwdriver applying a little bit of leverage.

Fless · Dec 24, 2024

About a year ago I used Strongarm ones from Rock Auto for my NBS, as well as for a friend's Honda Pilot (both liftgate and glass on both cars). They are still doing the job.

petethepug · Dec 25, 2024

Had to cut / grind them off my VW and Celica. Both are circa 1990. Good work cutting the cap off the ball socket. If you break off that ball socket mount joint you’ll likely be replacing the entire lid.

Stabilis is the OEM brand that’s stamped on the GM parts.

intheburbs · Dec 25, 2024

All 4 stabilus struts were like $75 shipped from Rock Auto when I bought them last year.

The clip holding them on is a tad obnoxious.

Scrappycrow · Dec 26, 2024

intheburbs said:
The clip holding them on is a tad obnoxious.

It is, but if you're replacing the struts, it doesn't matter if they get damaged during removal. A pick and some needle-nose pliers make quick work of the clips. I've never had to cut any lift struts in the numerous times I've changed them on any vehicle.

petethepug · Dec 26, 2024

The first gen struts (70’s) used a a ball and friction cap lined with plastic. No pop top on the strut cap.

They realized owners failed to see that pulling on a ball cap by compressing it with pliers seemed to make the strut not want to come off the ball joint.

A lot of other mfg’s vehicles had no access to pop the top friction joint between the two halves. Amateurs were pulling the steel ball joints out of the sheet metal lids and hoods.

They quietly engineered the solution as the pop top cap on the strut rod. Not sure if GM ever used the struts without the pop top clip on the ball socket end of the strut.

swathdiver · Dec 26, 2024

dkad260 said:
What liftgate supports are people using without issues?

GM OE and Stabilus.

I replaced my original lift struts almost 8 years ago. During the winter they get a little lazy but the door doesn't drop. Stabilus rear window struts have been on for almost two years now without issue. We actually use it! Almost time to replace the secret release button again, it feels corroded. That too was installed almost eight years ago.

petethepug · Dec 26, 2024

Apparently around 03’sh they changed the diameter of some of the ball sockets. That’s gotta make some problems if you get a small and large part mixed up.

https://www.cadillacforums.com/posts/2963005/

“Also the exact size for second design is 11,5", first design has 11,102" length“

dkad260 · Dec 28, 2024

Scrappycrow said:
I've never had to cut any lift struts in the numerous times I've changed them on any vehicle

Same. When I installed the garbage aftermarket, no-name lift struts and they made that hard "click" I figured that was bad...and it was.

Sorry for the late reply, I had the "Watch" selected but must have cleared cache and didn't receive updates.

I went with the "Strong Arm" C6156 and they went in without any issues.

Liftgate supports

dkad260

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Joseph Garcia

Fless

petethepug

Michael

intheburbs

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Scrappycrow

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petethepug

Michael

swathdiver

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petethepug

Michael

dkad260

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