9-5 Estate Wagon Liftgate Strut Replacement?

[AT ONE SIR]

The rear lift gate on my 2001 9-5 wagon has stopped staying open without a spare hand (bonked on my head a few times and the gate is HEAVY) and I'm hoping it's an easy fix to replace the two small struts. I searched here and didn't find anything so I'm hoping the fix is a simple one for this driveway saab mechanic.

Any links to the proper parts or procedure is very much appreciated.

Happy Holidays to everyone here.

[Digger]

Driveway mechanic simple and I'm sure there is a detailed written procedure somewhere, but pretty simple to do. Get the headliner flopping loose back at the hatch, doesn't have to come out, does need to be loose above rear side windows so you can pull it down far enough to get your hands in to pop the end clips free and snap the new one in.

Saab part number from the EPC is 46 99 260, rockauto has these https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...t+support,1404 you should replace both at same time. For lift struts I check the strut rack at the implement and supply store before special ordering. Strut rod ends can be moved and piston mounts can be changed, and this is a money saver.

[AT ONE SIR]

thanks Digger! I appreciate it. With all the Christmas shopping, I've almost snapped my neck a few times on the hatch.

Not clear on the second part of your post. Are you saying I can just buy new struts from another source and just slide the old rods back in there?

Here's the only guide I found with decent pics: http://www.twinsaabs.com/9-5_repair/...ocks/step1.asp

[nordwulf]

Here are the instructions from the WIS: Tailgate gas springs replacement Saab 9-5.pdf

[Digger]

Not clear on the second part of your post. Are you saying I can just buy new struts from another source and just slide the old rods back in there?

No, only the screw on ends are moved, not the rods. These things come in strength and lengths for compressed and extended and they are used on all sorts of things so they are sold with different or interchangeable ends on the gas cartridge and always with screw thread on the extending rod. When you look at the multi use pistons you can always fit one with a slightly shorter compressed length or a longer extended, don't try fitting the other way around. The common size multi use pistons always cost less than the application specific with ends already fitted.

[AT ONE SIR]

thanks for this Wulf. Happy Christmas!

[AT ONE SIR]

I think I understand what you mean, but if I take the old one out to check for a compatible replacement locally, I would have to go through all the trouble with taking it out and I should have the replacements ready. no? Wondering if there is a resource for such things so I can call around locally to check. Christmas shopping with the bad liftgate pistons has been a pain in the neck. Literally.

[Digger]

I think I understand what you mean, but if I take the old one out to check for a compatible replacement locally, I would have to go through all the trouble with taking it out and I should have the replacements ready. no? Wondering if there is a resource for such things so I can call around locally to check. Christmas shopping with the bad liftgate pistons has been a pain in the neck. Literally.

The description in the Saab parts book says that these things have a compressed length of 12" and extended length of 16", but the book doesn't give diameter or lift weight and if I needed these today for my sportcombi I would need to pull down the headliner and look in the car.
Google is the best place to shop if you don't need them today and for $20 you can get a pair from maxumhardware or you can get them today for about $20 a piece from a Home Depot if the stock the size you need. Or you can avoid all the hassle of taking things apart and for around $100 a pair order them as a Saab part to make sure that what you get will fit.

[GeoffR]

The part number for the gas strut is 12768264 and you need two of them. If you enter the part number into Amazon.com you will see prices from $17 a pair to about $70, take your pick.

[AT ONE SIR]

cheers, Geoff! I looked on amazon then looked on StrongArm's website as they have a part finder feature (it says mine is #6383)

http://www.strongarm-struts.com.au/PartFinder/