GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I have a 2004 Vibe which has served me well. However, the rear hatch door no longer stays up when I'm loading stuff into or out of the Vibe, which means that if I need to use both hands I have to keep the door up with my 80 year old head, which is uncomfortable and embarrassing. Can anybody tell me what I have to do to fix this problem?

As an 80 year old you know that isn't the only thing that won't stay up.

jake75 wrote:As an 80 year old you know that isn't the only thing that won't stay up.

Good one Jerome

But seriously, I believe you need to replace one or BOTH of your Hatch Lift cylinders. Here's just one of several vendors who carry this part. This link shows only the LEFT, the right for some reason carries a different part number. Check it out. Oh, these change out rather easy so if you're only 80 years YOUNG, you should have no problem doing this yourself

http://www.gmpartscenter.net/oem-part/p ... t/88975530" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

tpollauf wrote:

jake75 wrote:As an 80 year old you know that isn't the only thing that won't stay up.

Good one Jerome

But seriously, I believe you need to replace one or BOTH of your Hatch Lift cylinders. Here's just one of several vendors who carry this part. This link shows only the LEFT, the right for some reason carries a different part number. Check it out. Oh, these change out rather easy so if you're only 80 years YOUNG, you should have no problem doing this yourself

http://www.gmpartscenter.net/oem-part/p ... t/88975530" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The part you suggested is listed for a 2003 Vibe and when I search for the same part for a 2004 the result is still for a 2003. Can I assume that it would still work? And with the help of Cialis I am able to keep that other part up long enough to get the job done!

Lefty wrote:
The part you suggested is listed for a 2003 Vibe and when I search for the same part for a 2004 the result is still for a 2003. Can I assume that it would still work?

YES .... Same part for 2003 through 2008 models. Don't rely on drugs to give you the energy to "hold up" your hatch . Borrow a younger neighbor kid and/or prop it up with a 2x4, piece of pipe, or anything else to where you can then take your time changing these out.

I recently changed both hatch lift supports on mine. Purchased from rock auto for about 40 bucks shipped. They were the Monroe brand. Super easy to replace

tpollauf wrote:

Lefty wrote:
The part you suggested is listed for a 2003 Vibe and when I search for the same part for a 2004 the result is still for a 2003. Can I assume that it would still work?

YES .... Same part for 2003 through 2008 models. Don't rely on drugs to give you the energy to "hold up" your hatch . Borrow a younger neighbor kid and/or prop it up with a 2x4, piece of pipe, or anything else to where you can then take your time changing these out.

Thanks. I've ordered both the left and right versions, which for some reason have different price tags. And yes, I'll use a 2x4 (rather than drugs!).

cptnsolo77 wrote:I recently changed both hatch lift supports on mine. Purchased from rock auto for about 40 bucks shipped. They were the Monroe brand. Super easy to replace

Surprisingly, ordering both was $1.83 cheaper from GM Parts when I factored in shipping and "handling." But I suspect that Rock Auto is usually better, price-wise.

cptnsolo77 wrote:I recently changed both hatch lift supports on mine. Purchased from rock auto for about 40 bucks shipped. They were the Monroe brand. Super easy to replace

Along with replacing windshield wipers, this is probably something even I could do.

cptnsolo77 wrote:I recently changed both hatch lift supports on mine....Super easy to replace

I ordered the hatch lift supports, which have arrived. However, I'm stumped as to how to remove the old ones. Can anybody give me directions? These are for a 2004 Vibe. Sorry about my ignorance, but I spent too many years in New York City, in apartments, without a car, and am not "handy." However, this seems like something even a doofus like me should be able to do.

Ball joints on each end. According to the manual you pretty much remove the retainer clips then just pry them off. Upper end comes off first.

Lefty wrote:Thanks. I've ordered both the left and right versions, which for some reason have different price tags. And yes, I'll use a 2x4 (rather than drugs!).

Why not two left ones?

kumquat wrote:Ball joints on each end. According to the manual you pretty much remove the retainer clips then just pry them off. Upper end comes off first.

Sounds easy, but I can't figure out how to do it. I don't see anything that looks like retainer clips and the part that fits over the ball is tightly constructed -- there doesn't seem to be any room for anything to get into to pry. Does the manual have an illustration of how to do this?

It does have an illustration, but it's completely useless. I have no further help, sorry lol

Open and support the liftgate
Lift up the retainer clips on the assist rods using a small flat-bladed tool.



Remove the upper end of the assist rods from the ball joint.



Remove the lower end of the assist rods from the ball joint.
Remove the assist rods from the liftgate.

I checked mine out. It looks like there's a semicircular retainer clip over the ball joint. You have to pry that off with a screwdriver (careful, it'll probably fly away when it pops off). Then use something to pry the strut off the ball.

^^^That picture is how you do it, but a smaller tipped screwdriver makes it easier. You don't need to remove the clip, just pull it back ¼" or so, and the strut will pull right off the ball. No need to move the clip on the new one, it will just snap in place. I've bought then from Advanced, AutoZone and NAPA, whoever happened to have them on sale when I needed them.

Mark wrote:^^^That picture is how you do it, but a smaller tipped screwdriver makes it easier. You don't need to remove the clip, just pull it back ¼" or so, and the strut will pull right off the ball. No need to move the clip on the new one, it will just snap in place. I've bought then from Advanced, AutoZone and NAPA, whoever happened to have them on sale when I needed them.

Yeah, I'm sure it does. That was the smallest one I had in my bag, and I wasn't actually removing the clips. Purely for demonstration purposes.