calmloki
01-18-2006, 07:37 PM
BMW calls for a special tool, 'cause those struts are buried in the roof. The big clue is that the tool operates by having the end closest to the mech being moved down. The end that is farthest away is a ball and socket setup - pop on, pop off. But which way does the ball face? Observe:
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e73/calmloki/Glass%20Hatch%20Strut/Strutpin.jpg
See the ball pointing up? It is about 2" inside the circular opening, usually hidden by the grommet. All you need to do is build your own special tool (a ground down cheapy Harbor Freight prybar in my case), push the bar under the strut so that when you pull the handle down it prys against the circular opening and lifts the strut socket off the ball - it's easy peasy - hardly any force required to take it off or put it on. The grommet is key - it locates the strut with the ball. Be sure the socket is at right angles to the piston end hole. Here's my "special tool set", the extendo magnet held the little fly-away clip while I pushed it home. Hope this helps the next guy!
Tom Walrodhttp://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e73/calmloki/Glass%20Hatch%20Strut/Strtools.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e73/calmloki/Glass%20Hatch%20Strut/Strutpin.jpg
See the ball pointing up? It is about 2" inside the circular opening, usually hidden by the grommet. All you need to do is build your own special tool (a ground down cheapy Harbor Freight prybar in my case), push the bar under the strut so that when you pull the handle down it prys against the circular opening and lifts the strut socket off the ball - it's easy peasy - hardly any force required to take it off or put it on. The grommet is key - it locates the strut with the ball. Be sure the socket is at right angles to the piston end hole. Here's my "special tool set", the extendo magnet held the little fly-away clip while I pushed it home. Hope this helps the next guy!
Tom Walrodhttp://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e73/calmloki/Glass%20Hatch%20Strut/Strtools.jpg