Hey:

I need to replace my gift gate support on my 92 Cherokee Sport.  At one time someone told me that if I bought 1 that I would be ok, most likely that both would not be bad.  I have now discovered that it would have been better to buy 2 instead of 1, bad thing or not?  The one that I have came with no instructions and it looks pretty simple but I want to make sure that I'm doing it right instead of breaking parts off my Jeep.  Can anyone give me suggestions on how to put on the support?

Thx,

4hobbes

Hey Hobbes - yeah, you're better off buying them in pairs. When one finally goes bad, it puts double the stress on the other one and it wears out pretty quickly.

Changing out those support lifts are pretty easy. Here's an overview:

1. You'll need some way to hold up the lift gate (broom stick, a drunk friend, etc.)
2. On the bottom side of the struts (the pressurized shock thingy that went bad), there is a grey or silver clip that holds it to the ball joint. Pop that off with a small, flat-head screw driver. It might have some corrosion, so you may need a bit of WD40 on it.
3. With the clip removed, pop the strut off of the ball joint
4. Remove the two bolts at the top
5. Repeat for the other side

Installation is done in reverse order. Voila, no more banging heads on the lift gate!

Rick

Rick:

Well I've made MY first repair and it was pretty simple and easy with your instructions Rick. Just one variation, no screws to remove. Both ball joints had the curved pin (easy to remove) and the pins stuck through the ball joint. Removed the pins, popped the ball joints off, replaced the support and put the pins back in. One of the simplest things I've ever done. I marked the new support and will replace the other one in the near future. The cost for the one wasn't bad. Now it's to the next thing. I keep telling myself that if the guys off of Trucks can take a piece of crap from a junk yard and transform it into a nice, running, usable car I can too!

Note my Jeep isn't a piece of crap but my husband thinks it is lol!

Thx,
Sharon
 

Hey Hobbes - good for you!

There's always a bit of satisfaction fixing something yourself, especially when others think that you can't.

By the way - if YOU like the Jeep, that's all that's important. Don't sell it, you'll miss it and regret it. Beside, it makes a great trail rig, perfect for camping trips, exploring, etc.

Rick