The boot hatch on my 2004 MINI has takon on the nasty habit of falling on my head because of the gas rams or supporting struts becoming a bit weak in their pressure department.
I bought a couple of aftermarket new ones from ebay for £18.50 the pair.
They arrived 2 days later & I set about fitting them.
They are held in place on each end by a spring clip, which is readily released from its ball mount by gently prising a small flat bladed screwdriver between the clip & the strut.
The end will now pull free.
The same is done to the other end & the Ram is released.
IMPORTANT - Only replace one side at a time or else the hatch becomes a tad heavy.
Its an idea to either have someone hold the weight of the hatch whilst doing this or to maybe prop it up with a clothes pole or similar.
When reattaching the new ram, you dont have to prise back the spring clip as it will simply push over the ball & click in place.
I bought a couple of aftermarket new ones from ebay for £18.50 the pair.
They arrived 2 days later & I set about fitting them.
They are held in place on each end by a spring clip, which is readily released from its ball mount by gently prising a small flat bladed screwdriver between the clip & the strut.
The end will now pull free.
The same is done to the other end & the Ram is released.
IMPORTANT - Only replace one side at a time or else the hatch becomes a tad heavy.
Its an idea to either have someone hold the weight of the hatch whilst doing this or to maybe prop it up with a clothes pole or similar.
When reattaching the new ram, you dont have to prise back the spring clip as it will simply push over the ball & click in place.