[Untamed]

Picked up two new rear hatch struts for the TA at AutoZone in Hillsborough last night. They're $21 each, and almost identical to the OEM ones. Apparently there is a different model but would work just as well, but has to be ordered. They're $40 each! I took the cheaper ones.

Two differences between the OEM and replacements though: the contact point for the window defroster nearest the back seat is rotated slightly inwards, making it more difficult to hook up the contacts, and the rubber lip on the inside ring of the connecting piece is slightly taller than the original. That might require the use of a dremel to grind it down a tad.

I'm going to install them tonight after work. No more trying to hold that heavy f***** up with my head or shoulders!