Lift Support Replacement

From trunks and hatches to hoods and gloveboxes, millions of vehicles use gas-charged lift supports to hold open these vital components. Most lift support failures manifest themselves when the weather starts getting cold. When the supports fail or show weakness, they must be replaced to restore convenience and safety. Monroe® Max-Lift® gas-charged lift supports are a direct replacement for worn original units.

Designed for a wide range of applications, Max-Lift supports are available for components such as hoods, trunks, hatchbacks, liftgates, rear windows and tailgates. Functioning like a spring lift to hold open trunks, hatches, hoods, windows and doors, Max-Lift supports are custom engineered and manufactured to provide smooth operation and exceptional durability.

Steps for installing a Monroe Max-Lift Gas-Charged Lift Support

Max-Lift brand lift supports are direct OE replacement. Designed for easy fitment, in general, no special tools or professional installation are required to install a Max-Lift replacement lift support.

BEFORE YOU START:

Make sure another person holds the lift gate, hatch or hood open when you start replacing. Never use broom stick, stick, or any other device to hold the gate hood hatch open.

• Read these instructions and any instructions printed on the parts package carefully PRIOR to removing the components from the vehicle.


• Before removing the old lift support, inspect the end connections and note the position of the old lift support rod and the cylinder end. The new gas-charged lift support must be attached in the same position.


• For questions or concerns, contact Gurus On-Call at 1-800-325-8886.

WARNING – SAFETY STEPS:

• If the unit is pressurized, or not pressurized do not, puncture, heat or open.


• If the old lift support has electrical terminals connected to it, make sure the ignition switch is off.


• Before removing the old lift support, be sure to have someone hold the hatch or rear window
  open.


• Always wear safety glasses for eye protection.


• Use safety stands whenever a procedure requires you to be under a vehicle.

GENERAL REMOVAL PROCEDURES:

1. Remove old lift support from the vehicle by using the following tools:
   • Open end wrench for ball end connections where the ball stud on the vehicle needs to be removed. Mostly on Asian applications.
   
   
   • Phillips head screwdriver or Torx or Allen head driver for eyelet or bolt-mounted connections.
   
   
   • Long nose pliers for eyelet mounted connection with E-clip retainer.

Caution
Never grip the rod with pliers or in a vice without using protective lead, aluminum or copper jaws. It will damage the rod cause the Lift-Support to fail prematurely.

Note
The removal of the old lift support may require filing, grinding or drilling of the staked end of the mounting.

Caution
Always wear safety glasses and securely retain the mounting bracket while performing specified modifications.

1. Make sure there is someone holding the gate hood hatch for you.


2. If there are plastic caps over the end connections, remove them and set them aside to be reinstalled after the new gas-charged lift support is in place.


3. If the old lift support has electric terminals connected to it, make sure the ignition switch is off. Then carefully remove the terminals.



Caution
Do not puncture or heat tube.



4. Before removing the old lift support, be sure to have someone hold the hatch or rear window open.


5. Remove the old lift support one end at a time following instructions for each type of end connector listed below. Save hardware to reuse on the new gas-charged lift support (if not supplied).

1. Install new gas-charged lift support one end at a time following instructions for each type of end connector listed below. Make sure the new gas-charged lift support is installed the same way as the old support. (If R & L side are not identical and separate part numbers are assigned, before installing the lift supports make sure to install the correct side by making sure the brackets are installed exactly how the old ones are removed.)


2. Make sure all connectors and hardware are in place, tight and secure. Reconnect electrical terminals at both ends of the gas-charged lift support (if applicable to your vehicle). Retain plastic end caps (if applicable to vehicle).

BALL END CONNECTION REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Before starting, make sure someone is holding the gate hood hatch for you.
2. Follow instructions for each type of connection:
   • Type A – Place tip of small flat screwdriver under the spring steel band and pry the clip off
   • Type B – Place a small screwdriver tip in the slot at the back of the slide clip, at the top of the end connector and force clip up off the stud.
   • Type C – With a small screwdriver or pair of pliers, push looped end of the wire safety clipout of the groove under the head of the connector. Slide clip out of the hole in theconnector head.
3. Pull the end connection off the ball stud

BALL END INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS:

1. The new gas-charged lift support end connection is installed by pressing while wiggling the end connector onto the ball stud.

Note: With Type C, insert wire safety clip into the small hole in the connector and snap clip into the groove.

EYELET OR BOLT-MOUNTED CONNECTION REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Before starting, make sure someone is holding the gate hood hatch for you.
2. Follow instructions for each type of connection:
   • Type D – Unscrew mounting bolt using Phillips head screwdriver.
   • Type E – Unscrew mount bolt using star driver.
   • Type F – Remove clip retainer using a pair of long nose pliers, or your fingers.
   • Type G – Place the tip of a small flat screwdriver under the spring clip and pry up until it snaps out of the groove in the vehicle mounting stud.
3. Remove old lift support as follows:
   • Make sure there is someone holding the gate hood hatch for you.
   • Type D – Remove and retain mounting bolt and other hardware.
   • Type E – Remove mounting nut/washer.
   • Type F – Slide old lift support connector off the vehicle mounting stud and retain clip and other hardware.
   • Type G – Pry up other side of the clip and pull end connector off the mounting stud.

EYELET OR BOLT-MOUNTED CONNECTION INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Install the new gas-charged lift support as follows:
   • Type D – Insert mounting bolt in end connector and tighten screw into vehicle mounting hole.
   • Type E – Insert mounting stud in end connector hole, then assemble and tighten nut to bolt. Align lift support, then screw mounting bolt into the vehicle mounting hole.
   • Type F – Slide the end connector over the stud and snap by wiggling the clip into the groove in the vehicle mounting stud.
   • Type G – Follow the above general procedures listed above to complete the installation.

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The content in this article is for informational purposes only. You should consult with a certified technician or mechanic if you have questions relating to any of the topics covered herein. Tenneco will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on any content.