tjsandog

I feel stupid having to ask this, but I recently replaced the struts on my lift gate, the previous owner just propped up the lift gate with a metal rod.
I quickly tired of doing that, and the lift gate was pretty heavy to open as well.
Got two new struts from NAPA, and installed them both in the same direction,
(housing at top of gate, rod at bottom) but it doesn't seem to be opening/closing that easily.
PO had one mounted the opposite direction, which I just assumed was wrong.
Only other lift gate I can look at is on my 2015 Cherokee, which are mounted the same direction, but it is a power lift gate.
Looked in my Haines manual, and all they describe is how to remove the retaining clips on the struts when needing to remove the whole lift gate.
So are the struts supposed to be installed opposite ?

mikesignal

My struts are mounted in the same direction. From a quick look it doesn't seem like you could/should mount one the opposite direction of the other.

freegdr

piston on hatch rod on body

_StationWagon_

If the struts are stiff after recent installation, give them some time. They should get easier.

EEVEE

is it slow? i recently replaced mine and they were slow after the first initial uses but it lifts by itself now and closes pretty easily. Also i bought them online as well and not napa, they wanted 60 bucks for 2 of them like mmm nope.

moparado

Rod at the bottom.
Replaced mine a few years ago, got them from Auto Zone.
They worked great right out of the box and still work great.

Maybe the hinges need some PB Blaster?