Tailgate struts

129_Alan · 2022-03-03T03:59:34-0500

Does anybody know how to release the Sportback tailgate struts from their ball joints?

They're different to anything I've seen before.

Hood Motor vehicle Automotive tire Bumper Fixture

nigelbat · 2022-03-03T13:33:59-0500

I would think the insert is a locking mechanism. get that out (flat blade) and it shoukld pop off. I dont have one but my opinion. Someone else will probably know better.

JohnS4 · 2022-03-03T13:42:31-0500

Prize the metal clip out from the centre with a small screwdriver. You will inevitably end up scraping paint off the ball joint it sits on. Don’t forget to support the tailgate as it’s quite heavy.

129_Alan · 2022-03-03T17:35:29-0500

nigelbat said:
I would think the insert is a locking mechanism. get that out (flat blade) and it shoukld pop off. I dont have one but my opinion. Someone else will probably know better.

Yep, it's how to get it out that's the problem though. 👍

129_Alan · 2022-03-03T17:43:01-0500

JohnS4 said:
Prize the metal clip out from the centre with a small screwdriver. You will inevitably end up scraping paint off the ball joint it sits on. Don’t forget to support the tailgate as it’s quite heavy.

Everything's plastic mate. There is no metal clip, at least not on the outside of the part shown in the photo. I'll check it out again tomorrow though. Maybe I've missed something.

JohnS4 · 2022-03-03T17:50:17-0500

I changed the struts on my B8.5 Avant recently. There was a metal clip in the top of the strut. Looking closer on your pic it all appears to be plastic. Is that correct? It may just be a push fit. What’s the other end like? Is that the same?

129_Alan · 2022-03-03T18:04:02-0500

JohnS4 said:
I changed the struts on my B8.5 Avant recently. There was a metal clip in the top of the strut. Looking closer on your pic it all appears to be plastic. Is that correct? It may just be a push fit. What’s the other end like? Is that the same?

Yeah, I've replaced several struts before, and they've all had a metal spring retaining clip that you would prise back to release the strut from the ball joint.
Everything on this one looks to be plastic though. Can't imagine it just being a push fit though. Too easy to dislodge the strut somehow when loading stuff into the boot IMO. I would think a locking mechanism of some description would be required for safety reasons.
Might be worth me contacting Stabilus for advice.

dc10cd · 2022-10-12T06:58:18-0400

Did this get resolved? I have the same issue at the moment. Thanks

Tailgate struts

Top Contributors this Month