The Monroe struts are quite sturdy and I require some effort to bring the tailgate back down.
BHPian BLACNWYTE recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
Rear Wiper and Tailgate Struts Replacement.
So as Panda completed 7 years with us, I thought of addressing some minor yet significant replacements in parts. The rear wiper has become less efficient, as it was smearing the water instead of removing it. However, during long spells it cleans well enough but I thought to get it replaced. Along with it I was thinking about getting the tailgate struts/ lifts replaced. They had lost the power to lift up the tailgate fully and I had to manually lift it after unlocking. Thankfully they was holding the structure in position but it is just a matter of time they failed and dropped the door on my or anybody’s head. I didn’t want that to happen.
The tailgate was staying at whatever position I was leaving it above the minimum lift position for the gravity to close the lid.
So I started browsing boodmo and also asked local stores for the replacement parts both original Hyundai Mobis and aftermarket. the local stores we selling them to me at MRP with no discounts and they didn’t have the rear wiper in stock. Then boodmo offered free shipping for Monroe tailgate struts and found original Hyundai-Kia rear wiper there itself. Took them together and it cost me Rs 1212/- (including shipping for wiper).
First I replaced the rear wiper witch was a straight forward affair. Pull up the stalk, rotate the blade, push it down and slip it out and put the new wiper in reverse order. Checked the working and it was giving clean wipes.
Old wiper
New Wiper.
If you ask me, visually both looks the same but the efficacy is worlds apart.
For the tailgate strut replacement, I watched a YouTube video of how to replace them and since only a flathead screwdriver was required I decided to do it myself.
Got the flat head screwdriver from Blu’s tool kit and popped the tabs on the upper and lower ends of one strut. The tabs are quite sturdy and you need to apply a bit of force to pop them. The struts can be easily removed once you pop the tabs. (Tip – Have something to hold the weight of tailgate (like wooden or metal pole) while you remove and put back the struts because the tailgate is quite heavy and one strut cannot hold it in place. I used my head to prop it up since I don’t use it much anyway). I did one side at a time and was finished in 5 minutes.
Old Lifts. (Hyundai has different part number for LH and RH side, which is irrelevant in my opinion)
New lifts in action.
The Monroe struts are quite sturdy and I require some effort to bring the tailgate back down. I was so used to pulling up the tailgate for some time now that it almost got my chin while testing out the new struts.
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