How do you remove the pin on the top of the strut? The part that connects on the hatch side?

 

Are you trying to remove the strut from the ball/stud or are you trying to remove the stud from the door itself? To remove the strut you just take a small screwdrive and slip it under the tension band that wraps around the plastic end of the strut. Pry it out a little and the strut should pop off the stud. As far as the stud I can only assume it simply screws into the hatch or it has a nut on the inside of the door itself. Hope this helps you.

 

what year of cherokee?
the 97+ bolts to the hatch
the 84-96 has a small round pin clip that holds the strut to the hatch.

two totally different designs

 

its a 2000 but its not a bolt, more like a pin with a cap thing on the other side, tried to pry it, turn it, punch it out, nothing..

 

that pin is attached to a bracket that is bolted to your hatch tho, is it not?

 

oh yes, thats the easy part lol. I'm trying to get the strut off said bracket

 

There is a little clip that you have to pry off. Once you pry that little clip off, the strut should slide right off of the ball.

The clip is the thing circled in red:

 

Hey man did you even read my post?
The "tension band" im talking about is what Greenclassic circled in his pic. Slide the screwdriver under it from the end of the strut. Usually the thickness if the driver itself pulls the spring back enough to release it off the stud.
Do you have something supporting the weight of the hatch door? These things come off MUCH easier and safer when there is no weight on them.

 

Wow actually no I didnt see you post! But thanks it was a big help! I got it replaced

 

COOL!