Liftgate struts

[MountainBiker]

I am trying to install a pair of these currently. For the last step, the ends of the struts with the ball socket just won't go on the stud. I measured stud...it's 10mm diameter, and I measured inside of ball socket...also 10.? mm. I've pushed on them, pushed harder, taped with a wooden mallet, and then with a small hammer...they just won't go on.

I see a wire (as opposed to a clip as strong-arm shows in an installation video) that is clearly a retainer. Does this need to be removed to install? I am hesitant to do it unless it's normal to do so as it then would need to be replaced which could be a challenge.

Yes, you need to pull the wire out. Do one at a time so you can see how it goes back in.

 

[aa040371]

Yes, you need to pull the wire out.

Thanks! Incredibly frustrating since their video shows a push-n-snap-in installation and when I called their (obviously useless) tech support, they said it was that easy and never mentioned the wire. I hope in trying to get these on incorrectly (i.e. by finally hitting them with a wooden mallet) I did not do anything to deform the wire.