Though the Ford Aerostar was named Motor Trend's Truck of the Year in 1990, by 1996 it was almost phased out of production. Having never really resolved its "is it a car or is it a truck" identity, the Aerostar minivan was available in both passenger- and cargo-van versions, and with two-or four-wheel drive. The cargo van had double rear doors, but the passenger van had a liftgate.
Open the rear hatch and prop it up, or have a helper hold it up, in the full-open position.
Locate the little slot on the outboard side of the ball-end retainers on both ends of the gas cylinder strut. Insert a flat screwdriver into the slot and gently lever the retainer clip outward away from center. Disengage the strut from the post with a sharp tug while holding the retainer clip out.
Place the new strut in position with the shock up, and the rod down. Position the ball-end retainer on the rod over the post, and snap it into position with a sharp blow of your hand.
Adjust the door height to align the shock ball-end receiver with the post, and snap it into position. Test the liftgate for proper operation through its entire range of motion.
