Hi,
The car is a Mazda 323 hatch back, year 2001. The problem is the gas struts of the hatch lid are weak.
Can anyone tell me please if the gas struts are meant to be separate from the bracket that holds them on the bodywork or if the bracket is a part of the gas struts. (This is not the ball-joint end of the strut but the one that pivots on a fixed axle).
The fitting that holds the struts onto the bracket appears to be press fitted, no circlips or thread I can see. One end of the pivoting axle is completely flat so not intended to have a spanner put on it.
Also, how is the ball joint end meant to separate? Does the strut come off the ball joint with a bit of persuasion?
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I have done the job on both SAAB 900 and 9000 and can't remember the ball joint end of the assembly (and do I have the cars any more).
TIA for any thoughts.
Charles