1989cherokee

Today I was closing my rear hatch and one of the hydraulic arms popped off, the door slamed down, slamming the hydraulic arm between the hatch and my brake light, smashing the top of the light in. Has this happened to anybody else?
I guess its time for a new brake light.

gearheadette

yep, but the brake light didnt break

Cherokee

ouch!

this never happened to me, but I did replace both of the arms very recently because they stopped holding the weight of the liftgate as well as they used to.

the ball and socket just came undone? that sounds like a very unusual thing to happen. they seem like theyre on there pretty snug.

gearheadette

happened with me, the clip just wore out in the socket, you cant just buy a new clip gotta buy the whole thing,

winston427

Not like that but I did have some worn out lift supports and used to hold the hatch open with an old broom handle. That is until I accidently knocked the handle loose and the hatch came down on my head and left me unconscious in the driveway. I went straight to the parts store and bought new lift supports.

jiffy

never happened to me with the tail lights. instead the hydraulic arms gave up together and the hatch fell on my noggen. good thing im hard headed! lol

whiteknuckleXJ

I'm waiting for the day when I open my hatch and come walking back around and wack my head on it. My hatch doesn't always stay open all the way. Should replace them before I end up on my azz. I've never had one come off tho.

1989cherokee

I just replaced them about 2 months ago. I guess the clips did not hold up.

gearheadette

If you just replaced them check and make sure the ball part is tight on the frame, if not that would do that too

1989cherokee

I'll look at it again tomorrow but i think it was the clip because when i put it back on the clip had slid up.

GreenClassic

Mine were starting to wear out. In cold weather the hatch would not stay up. I replaced them both, and now the hatch opens itself! Best $50 I ever spent!

patnok

where do you buy new ones?

storm101

cant say ive had it break and crash down. On the other hand i do swear its trying to give me a concussion by coming down by itself right on top of my head.

Thanks for reminding me, im putting some on order.

storm101

my guess is pretty much any parts store, they have them all over online...i just looked at advance and they seem to be 10-20$ a peice.

GreenClassic

I got mine at AutoZone.