Touring Q: Changing out the rear hatch struts

[genphreak]

You have a Touring as well?!

Uh, yea. Had to add to 'the collection' one more... LOL

And now another neighbour bought one (an old 525/5-speed) too. Farout! 90's Bimmers everywhere here now. We've started a craze... not a trend.

[genphreak]

What I did when I changed mine: I used a 20 inch long pipe in slightly larger diameter than the new glass hatch struts, made sure that the struts were sticking out like 2-3 inches, slightly compressed the metal with the strut inside the pipe to make sure that the strut wasn´t able to slide inside or turn when attaching it inside the body.. Worked really well, took me 10 mins to change both hatch struts with this instrument!
And I used the same pipe to get the old ones out!

Thanks for taking the time to contribute that terrific tip. I'll be sure to find the right size pipe and try it... Nick

[Elekta]

actually if you go to a hardward store that sells garden supplies, buy one of those screwdriver forks that is normally used for pulling weeds...it really is the perfect tool for removing the back part of the shock that's up in the roof and it also levers the new socket end back on the post perfectly.

be really careful about the little c clamps as they will fall off and disappear down the side channel by the rubber tailgate gasket and be gone forever.

good luck

[Bo525i]

Buy 10, they´re really cheap and you´ll loose some for sure! I added some blue locktite to mine to keep them from coming loose!