Hey Everyone!

Have a 96 Cherokee 4.0 and the rear tailgate shocks won't stay attached to the frame of the car. No matter how I attach them (they're brand new) they will pop off randomly. Is there any chance that the fitting attached to the Jeep is causing the problem?

I've had a few different mechanic friends verify that they are being installed correctly but they are never around when the shocks come off.

Anyone experience something similar? Anything will help!

 

There are retaining pins that lock the strut socket to ball mount. Look closely at the strut sockets, there should be a small hole on both sides, this is where the pin installs.

 

If the problem is that they are pressing against the plastic trim, just install them upside down. That puts the fat end at the bottom where there is more clearance.

 

I had the same problem with just one side, so I installed it upside down as Nick suggests and have not had another problem. It kind of looks stupid that one is upside down and the other not, but I doubt anyone else would even notice it.

 

Here is a picture of retainer clip, one on each end of strut.

 

Make sure u fix it soon. I lost a retaining pin on mine the other day and procrastinated in fixing it. Next thing you know, the strut popped off and punched a hole in my taillight. That stupid little pin cost me $25 for a new taillight at the junkyard. While I was there I grabbed some extra pins to for my struts as well.

 

I stole your photo......

 

Some replacement struts don't have the retainer clips or even a slot so you could reuse the old ones. Mine didn't so the inverted installation was the fix.