How to Remove a Hydraulic Arm in a 2003 Blazer Tailgate

The 2003 Chevrolet Blazer was equipped with a split-tailgate and lift gate system on the rear of the truck. The 2003 Blazer was equipped with four rear lift support struts. Two of the supports are used for the upper back glass or lift gate, which opens upward. The other two supports are used for the lower tailgate, which opens downward. Replacement of all four support struts is relatively simple and should only take about one hour to complete.

Instructions

Raise the rear gate of the truck with one hand. Remove the lift-gate support strut hinge pin retainer, using a pair of pliers in your other hand. Pull the hinge pin out from the other side of the strut. Repeat this step to remove the hinge pin retainer and lift support strut hinge pin from the other side of the glass. Discard both retainers.

Set the longer piece of two-by-four vertically lengthwise into the rear of the Blazer. Set a rag on the top of the wood, then lower the back glass onto the wood. Remove the small tabs from the bottom of both lower strut supports, using a flat-head screwdriver. Pry the lower ends of the support free from the Blazer and remove the supports completely from the truck.

Insert the new strut supports onto the lower ball joints of the truck. The thicker part of the strut should be on top, with the extendable shaft pointing downward. Push them into place until they click and lock onto the ball joints. Push the tabs closed with the tip of your screwdriver.

Raise the rear glass upward with one hand. Insert hinge pins from the outside inward, through the upper support mounts and hinge mounts. Let go of the back glass. Install the retainers on both hinge pins, using pliers.

Test the new lift support struts on the lift gate by raising and lowering the gate. If you have no movement from the bottom strut support mounts, then you have installed your support struts correctly.

Place the shorter plank of two-by-four vertically behind the truck, and place a rag on top of the wood. Lower the tailgate onto the plank of wood for support during this operation. Do not let the tailgate extend until it hits the rear bumper or it may become dislocated from the rear of the Blazer.

Lift the retainer clips on both ends of each support shocks, using a flat-head screwdriver. Pry the ends of both support struts off of the ball joint mounts, with your screwdriver. Be careful with the upper mounts on each side, as they are located near the rear taillamp assemblies. Remove the rear strut supports from the tailgate.

Install both upper half of the tailgate shock supports on their ball joint mounts. Push the supports onto the mounts, with the thicker end of the shock facing upward and the thinner shock shaft pointing downward. Push the ends on until they click and lock into place on the ball joints. Press the locking tabs down with your screwdriver tip.

Install the lower half of the tailgate shocks onto their ball joint mounts. Push them until they lock into place, then depress the tabs with your screwdriver. Raise and lower your tailgate to test the new support struts.