Service Procedure

Refer to the Repair Flow Chart shown.

NOTE:
Perform the Repair Flow Chart procedure on ONE strut/bracket at a time.

Rear Door (Hatch) Strut Bracket Removal Procedure





CAUTION:
^ Make sure the rear hatch door is open and fully supported with a suitable device (see Figure 2) before proceeding with the following steps.





^ Perform this procedure on one strut/bracket at a time.





1. Apply vinyl (electrical) tape as shown in Figure 3 to protect the vehicle's paint.

2. Remove the two bolts that secure the strut bracket to the vehicle (see Figure 3).

CAUTION:
Hold the strut/bracket assembly as you remove the bolts to prevent it from falling and damaging the paint.





3. Move the strut/bracket assembly downward to a horizontal (level) position (see Figure 4).

4. Remove the bracket from the strut as follows:

A. Obtain special tool # J38751-304 from the Terminal Repair kit # J-38751. This kit is an essential tool that every dealer should have.





B. Slide the tip of tool # J38751-304 between the plastic socket body and the metal clip (see Figure 5b).

C. Twist the tool to raise the metal clip enough to release the socket from the mating ball stud. The metal clip does NOT need to be removed, but only lifted slightly to relieve the spring pressure of the metal clip.

CAUTION:
Do not pry the metal clip off of the plastic socket as this will damage the strut (see Figure 5a).

Strut Bracket Inspection Procedure





1. Place the bracket on a flat surface and firmly push straight down on the ball stud (see Figure 6).

2. Use Measuring Gauge Tool # J-45804 to check the clearance on each end of the bracket between the bracket and the flat surface. Align the tool with the center-line of the bracket hole when checking the clearance. See Figure 6.

The bracket is OK if:





^ The "foot" portion of the Measuring Gauge Tool can be slid (on both ends of the bracket) between the bracket and the flat surface as shown in Figure 7a

^ The top of the Measuring Gauge Tool stops against the bracket (both ends of the bracket), as shown in Figure 7a

The bracket is not OK if:

^ The "foot" portion of the Measuring Gauge Tool will NOT slide (on one end of the bracket) between the bracket and the flat surface (bracket bend down), as shown in Figure 7b

^ The entire Measuring Gauge Tool will slide (on one end of the bracket) between the bracket and the flat surface (bracket bent up), as shown in Figure 7c





PARTS INFORMATION

CLAIMS INFORMATION





Submit a "Campaign" (CM) line claim using the claims coding information table as shown.