03 4Runner Rear Tailgate/Hatch Support Struts/Lifts
 

Hi Everyone,
I’m new to this forum (just found it today) and hoping someone can give me some ideas on a problem I’m having with my wife’s 03 4Runner (I did search around first before creating a new thread, but didn’t see anything applicable). The tailgate hatch struts/supports have worn out and need replacing. I found some aftermarket ones and went to swap them out. The issue is the bolt that goes into the ball socket at the bottom of the strut (see attached pic). It seems to be pressed on by the factory and I can’t come up with a way to get it out besides cutting it apart. As you can see in the pics, I’ve tried prying and beating on it without success. Hoping someone here might have a suggestion for separating it from the strut before I break out my Dremel or cutting wheel :pop:

Thanks in advance for any help/ideas you have.

Welcome to Yotatech.
Try using Photobucket or similar site to post pics, those attached pics are too small to see anything. I have not had to replace mine yet. did you try lubing them? Knowing Toyota, they probably are pressed on.

I tried to resize the pics but they keep shrinking when I add them here.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5...ay11201202.jpg

If you buy replacement (non-OEM) struts they will come with standard c-clamp style struts (like on a truck tool box, or the ones you buy at advanced, autozone, etc.). You just unbolt the whole thing from the hatch.

I replaced mine with some strong-arm brand struts and they work well, much stronger than factory. The first time I opened the hatch it almost hit me in the chin it was so fast... Brings new meaning to 'strong arm'

Anyway, they came with a new ball that bolts into the bottom as well as a bracket that bolts to the top, then you put the strut on and insert the c-clips.

Don't break those c-clips! I broke one of mine and went through hell and high water before the original seller finally just sent me a whole new strut. I could not find a clip that would fit!! Tried several struts from previously mentioned stores and all of the clips were much larger.

edit- whoops just read that you already got the struts... I'd either complain to the seller or use the dremel. Those struts aren't supposed to come off of the ball part.