Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

3

Time Required

                          45 minutes

Sections

1

  • Hatch Lift Supports
  • 3 steps

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0

  • Back2008-2010 Audi A3 Sportback

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Introduction

Make sure you have an assistant who can easily hold the door open and will not grow faint or tired to ensure both peoples safety.

If you have an electrical connection (meaning if you can open your hatch with a click of a button) to the hatch door, be sure to disconnect it before starting the replacement process.

You must replace both struts, even if only one has failed. Replacing only one strut will cause an imbalance on the hatch door while opening and closing and could wear-down the new strut more quickly.

Do not scratch the metal part of the strut, it can affect it’s functionality.

Have all of your tools and parts ready to go before you start the replacement process!

The hatch lift support parts can be purchased here.

What you need

Step 1

              Hatch Lift Supports
  • The lift supports of the rear hatch assist in the opening and closing of the hatch as well as hold the hatch open. They are thin, black suspension modules connecting the hatch to the main body on either side of the trunk opening.
  • The second photo shows an example of a busted strut due to rust. If your strut looks like so, replacing it is a good idea.

The lift supports of the rear hatch assist in the opening and closing of the hatch as well as hold the hatch open. They are thin, black suspension modules connecting the hatch to the main body on either side of the trunk opening.

The second photo shows an example of a busted strut due to rust. If your strut looks like so, replacing it is a good idea.

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Step 2

  • Before starting, be sure to disconnect any electrical connections. (see the introduction for full details and precautions)
  • Open the hatch and ask your helper to keep it open.
  • Start with the bottom connection of the strut. Slide the flat-head screwdriver into the slit and you should be able to easily slide it between the metal belt and the joint. Then remove the lower connection away from the ball joint.
  • Ensure that your partner is holding the hatch door securely up, as disconnecting the strut will increase the weight bearing down from the door.

Before starting, be sure to disconnect any electrical connections. (see the introduction for full details and precautions)

Open the hatch and ask your helper to keep it open.

Start with the bottom connection of the strut. Slide the flat-head screwdriver into the slit and you should be able to easily slide it between the metal belt and the joint. Then remove the lower connection away from the ball joint.

Ensure that your partner is holding the hatch door securely up, as disconnecting the strut will increase the weight bearing down from the door.

Step 3

  • These steps are the exact same for the bottom joint
  • Slide the flat-head screwdriver between the metal belt and the joint piece and gently push back the metal belt.
  • Once the belt is pulled back, pull the strut away from the ball joint connecting it to the car.
  • Pull the strut away from the lower ball joint and remove the strut, ensuring that your partner is holding the hatch door steady.
  • During reassembly, be sure to pry back the metal belts on each end of the strut before affixing them to the ball joints. The metal belts have a spring action, so you may need to pry them as you place them on to the ball joints, but be sure that the metal bar is pressed back into place so that the struts are firmly connected.

These steps are the exact same for the bottom joint

Slide the flat-head screwdriver between the metal belt and the joint piece and gently push back the metal belt.

Once the belt is pulled back, pull the strut away from the ball joint connecting it to the car.

Pull the strut away from the lower ball joint and remove the strut, ensuring that your partner is holding the hatch door steady.

During reassembly, be sure to pry back the metal belts on each end of the strut before affixing them to the ball joints. The metal belts have a spring action, so you may need to pry them as you place them on to the ball joints, but be sure that the metal bar is pressed back into place so that the struts are firmly connected.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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                    Paige Sandwell

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                       University of Memphis, Team S4-G4, Kim Fall 2019                        

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