Remove/Install Tailgate Gas-Operated Strut - AR72.20-S-2832E

Model 447, 448 

Fig 1: Tailgate Gas-Operated Strut Components Location - Model 447

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

	Risk of injury  from fingers being pinched or jammed when working on gas struts under pressure	Only remove and install pneumatic springs when they are not under tension and when the components are properly secured.	AS00.00-Z-0012-01A
	Risk of injury  caused by fingers being jammed or pinched when removing, installing or aligning hoods, doors, trunk lid/rear-end door or sliding roof.	No parts of the body or limbs should be within the operating area when the components are moving.	AS00.00-Z-0011-01A
	Remove/install
1	Open liftgate and secure against lowering
2	Lift upper retainer (4) with suitable screwdriver (5) as shown and remove left and right gas-filled strut (1) from bracket with ball stud (3)	Do not remove upper retainer (4). Otherwise the tension of the retainer (4) can be lost. Clip left and right gas-filled strut (1) with upper retainer (4) installed into ball head on bracket with ball stud (3).
3	Lift lower retainer (4) with suitable screwdriver (5) as shown and remove left and right gas-filled strut (1) from bracket with ball stud (2)	Do not remove lower retainer (4). Otherwise the tension of the retainer (4) can be lost. Clip left and right gas-filled strut (1) with lower retainer (4) installed into ball head on bracket with ball stud (2).
4	Install in the reverse order