Replacing Rear Hatch Plunger

[bob259]

I have a '99 Venture with a TERRIBLE rattle at the rear hatch. Listening from inside the van while riding, it appeared to be coming from along the passenger side edge near the top half of the hatch. I then remembered thinking that the hatch had been "heavier" to open in recent weeks. So I suspected the plunger on the passenger side of the hatch door.

When I arrived home, I opened up the rear hatch and the passenger side plunger definitely had play and a slight rattle while the driver side one is solid as a rock. This looks like a DIY job to me with a part from the "used parts" shop. Couple of questions though.

There are 2 bolts that secure the top of the plunger that look straight forward to remove, save for the fact they appear to have been painted over when the van was originally painted. I removed the passenger rear tail light to reveal the lower plunger connection. Here there is a HEX head that connects to the body of the van but it's not a bolt through a bracket like the top which is the 2 bolts through bracketed holes. Before I put a wrench on this lower HEX head and turn, is there anything I should be aware of on this mount location?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Bob

[dewaynep]

You shouldn't have to unbolt anything. The lift support is held on by 2 clips that you pull off with a small screwdriver and then pull the lift support off of the 2 ball mounts. It is a very simple job that should take all of about 10 minutes. Just be sure to have someone hold the lift gate for you when you remove the support or it may fall on your head. Also, I wouldn't bother with a used support, you never know when it will fail.

[bob259]

I appreciate your response. You confirmed what the fella at Advanced Auto Parts told me this morning. I called the "used parts" shop and they said to go to Advanced (or any other store). I figured this would be one of those "GM Only" parts. If the clip pulls easy enough, your 10 minute estimate should be right.

Thanks Again!

[bob259]

Thanks again dwaynep. Job took less than 10 minutes. An old ladder kept the hatch from dropping on my head. I did have to call my wife out to assist with pushing the hatch a bit higher than normal in order to slip the new cylinder in. Took it for a test drive and the clunk was gone. I would never of thought that one of those cylinders could make such a loud clunking noise.

An inexpensive $30 fix that was right the first time. I wish I'd guess right the first time every time.