How to Replace Lift Support 1997-2005 Chevy Venture
Created on: 2011-02-03
This video will show how to access, remove, and replace the lift support on the 97-05 Chevy Venture
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step 1 :Accessing the Hatch Lift Strut
- Prop the hatch open with a piece of wood
- Remove two T30 Torx screws from the taillight
- Pull the taillight off by hand
- Lay the taillight aside
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step 2 :Removing the Hatch Lift Strut
- Enlist an assistant to hold the hatch open
- If no assistant is available hold the hatch open with one hand
- Undo the hatch strut clips with a flat blade screwdriver
- Pull the hatch strut off by hand
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step 3 :Installing the New Hatch Lift Strut
- Push the bottom of the hatch strut into place
- Lift the hatch with one hand
- Clip the top of the hatch strut into place
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step 4 :Reinstalling the Taillight
- Attach the taillight wiring clip
- Line up the taillight studs with their holes
- Push the taillight into place
- Insert the two T30 Torx screws
- Repeat this procedure for the other side
Tools needed
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Flat Blade Screwdriver
T30 Driver
Assistant
Block of Wood
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Hi, I'm Mike Green. I'm one of the owners of 1A Auto. I want to help you save time and money repairing or maintaining your vehicle. I'm going to use my 20-plus years experience restoring and repairing cars and trucks like this to show you the correct way to install parts from 1AAuto.com. The right parts installed correctly: that's going to save you time and money. Thank you and enjoy the video.
In this video, we're going to show you how to replace the rear hatch struts on this '99 Venture, same as any '97 to '05 GM minivan: Venture, Montana, Silhouette. This will fix that problem if your rear hatch tends to sag down. Tools you'll need are a T-30 Torx driver and a small flat-blade screwdriver.
If you recognize the piece of wood holding up the tailgate, this is probably the video for you. You don't have to do that anymore. What you want to do is replace these lift supports. After time, they wear out; the gas leaks out a little bit and they don't lift up as well. Pan down here. To do that, you need to use a T-30 Torx bit and go ahead and remove the 2 screws on the inside part of the taillight. We'll speed it up a little bit as I remove those screws.
Once you have those screws loosened up, grab a hold and pull your taillight out. The screws will not fall out. Let your taillight hang down. Now what you want to do is use a small flat-blade screwdriver to pry out these clips that are in this slot. As you pry out, pull the strut off and the same thing up top here. You can actually see the little slot. Pry right out and then pull it off.
I'd suggest having a person help you do this. What I'm doing right now is I'm holding up the tailgate with my hand and prying that clip out. Pull that off and let the tailgate rest down on the piece of wood. Then the same thing over here, pry out and pull that off and there's your strut off.
Here's the new strut from 1A Auto. It's the same length and mounts in the exact same way. You want to put it right on and then you have to twist it and this piece of wood is going to fall down as I lift up. Then it's in. You can see it's already holding the tailgate up better. Obviously, once you replace the other side, then you'll be all set. You want to put the tail lamp back on. When you reinstall the tail lamp, just make sure this clip is in. There are two studs on the taillight that line up with these holes. Then reinstall your two T30 screws and we'll speed it up here and finish it up. Obviously, do the other side. We always recommend replacing them both.
We hope this helps you out. Brought to you by www.1AAuto.com, your source for quality replacement parts and the best service on the Internet. Please feel free to call us toll-free, 888-844-3393. We're the company that's here for you on the Internet and in person.
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