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Good, concise instruction. I had posted a rather lengthy one a while ago, but can't find it anymore. My comments below.
>1) pop the lens cover of the tailgate light and then unscrew the screws next to >the light bulb. There might be a screw behind the light hosuing, I forgot.
You need a a torx screw driver for this (size T25?). I needed to take off just one screw on the side panel.
> 2) remove the center plastic upper panel trim of the trunk.
I skipped this one, but will make it easier.
> 3) remove the left and right side upper panel trims.
> 4) the 2 tailgate structs are now visible to you.
> 5) have someone or use a long piece of 2x4 to hold the tailgate at it's >highest position to release the tension on the structs until the replacement is >completed!!!!
I didn't have anyone around, and didn't have a long piece of 2x4, but it was doable by myself. Just make sure you catch the tailgate crashing down with your feet. It'll happen as soon as one end of the strut is popped off.
> 6) pop the structs out with a bit of force.
> 7) install the new structs.
> 8) ask the person who hold the tailgate to let go or remove the 2x4.
> 9) reinstall all 3 pieces of the trim panels.
> 10) done.
The only thing I'd add is, after taking off the old strut off, clean off the gunk build-up before putting on the new one.
The hardest part for me was to figure out the minimum number of, and which panels to remove, and how to get the screw off without the right tool. First side took me 45 min (w/ no torx driver), the other side took less than 10 min!
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