s4for5

Just looking to find any tips on replacing the struts at both ends on a 78 and 86 Targa?
Thanks in advance

rusnak

Buy the lifetime ones. They fit with your original hardware. You may need to leave the clip off of the driver's side pin, unless you have either really small fingers or a really long hemostat.

http://www.automotion.com/product.as...dept%5Fid=4079

RL911

I had to double up on my rear deck lid to keep it open due to the weight of the tail. Think they are stabila...I've had them on almost a year now, no problems.

MUSSBERGER

I remember that.

ked

get a selection of needlenose pliers, bright lights, a magnetic pick-up, tiny hands & band-aids.
I found some form of alcohol is helpful, too.

SCOTITUDE

+1000.

one of the first DIY jobs I did. I dont think I have cursed so much during one job before. When I was done my hands looked like I went 10 rounds with a cat. I wish someone would have suggested the alcohol before I started.

salukijac

I replaced the passenger side one and when I looked at the driver side and saw how tight it was in there, I stopped. The one on the passenger side was good enough to hold the hood up.

BTW, I had a long hemostat and I saw no way I could get it done without losing the pins and the clips. I think I have a link to instructions somewhere. I'll post them later as I'm not on my computer.

Update: Here's the link to an article Hood strut replacement in Pelican. http://http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/911_hood_strut/911_hood_strut.htm

ked

oh yeah... I forgot - spare pins & clips, too.

Driver8

Tie a string around the pins and clips, so if you drop them you can easily retrieve them.

jthwan22

90 degrees needle nose piler

OttawaDave

Do a search, either on here or Pelican before you do the fronts....there's a guy that crafted a little holder for the retaining clip that would have made my life infinitely easier when I was replacing mine. He had posted some pictures about what he did...

Saw his idea 2 days after swearing my way through installing my front struts - the hardest part is positioning the retaining clip steadily enough to apply the pressure to slide it in.

Good luck!

salukijac

^^^^Is it the one I posted above?

bart1

I can't offer any other tips from above, but can point out an alternative solution:

http://www.seinesystems.com/Ult-Strut-Home.htm

sig_a

This is a online source for long hemostat --
http://www.hobbytool.com/browseprodu...tat-Clamp.html
I ended up buying 18" straight and curved bill from Harbour Freight -- made in India.

Some suggest tying pin and clip up with dental floss. Get a small telescopic magnet from sears. Strong light helps too. Not as tough as I thought. A bit tough on the back, though. Do the driver side first.

KOH

I followed the Pelican article listed above - the large female spade connector and dental floss did the trick. I attached the connector to 20-24" of 14 gauge Romex ground wire. The connector held the pin secure enough to get the drivers side in without too much cursing.