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The liftgate on a Nomad, wagon, and sedan delivery are all originally supported with mechanical arms. These support arms hold the liftgate open but do not assist in raising the liftgate. The opening of the liftgate is assisted by a set of torsion bars located under the roof of the car. These torsion bars lose their strength over the years and make raising the liftgate a bit of a chore. In addition, the stock supports get rusty, break, or get lost along the way.
These brand new gas-charged liftgate supports are engineered to bolt right in place of the old supports and raise the liftgate with or without the original torsion bars.
12 hours
Image 1a, 1b, 1c: The stock mechanical arms are attached to the lift gate and body with Philips head machine screws. With the liftgate supported with a broomstick, remove the two screws on the liftgate and the three screws on the body. Now the mechanical arms can be removed.
Image 2a, 2b: The brackets for the gas-charged supports are made of stainless steel and will attach to the liftgate and body using the original mounting holes and hardware.
Image 3a, 3b: The bracket on the liftgate installs with the ball to the inside of the glass frame. The bracket on the body installs with the ball to the bottom.
Image 4: On each end of the gas-charged strut, there is a socket that connects to the balls on the brackets. Before the socket can be installed on the ball, the retaining clips must be removed.
Image 5a, 5b, 5c: With your hand (not a hammer!) snap the ends of the supports onto the balls, with the small rod end of the support attached to the bracket on the body. Once the sockets are connected to the balls, use your hand to put the retaining clip back in place.
Image 6: Repeat the process for the other side and enjoy your trick new liftgate arms!