Ford Focus Wagon Liftgate Problems
 

2001 Ford Focus Wagon, two problems

When it's cold outside (around freezing temperature) our trunk liftgate won't stay open and instead slowly falls down to close. It's worse the colder it gets.

I'd like to try replacing the supports myself but am unsure how to do it. One end looks easy as there's just a bolt assembly, but the other end is closed in and I don't know how to open or detach it.

Is there a special tool I need? What's the trick?

I can provide a photo if necessary.

The second problem is that the fuse for the rear window wiper keeps blowing. I guess there's some kind of short in the motor. Is that an easy swap or should I get my mechanic to do it?

Post a picture up. Some of the gate shocks on other vehicles were just a ball/spring loaded socket on one side and would just pop off.

grab a copy of the the chiltons or hanes guide for the car, that should have directions for the lift gate support, and probably accessing the wiper motor as well.

Yeah, throw up a photo of both ends of the supports. It's probably what Bear Cub said - one end just pops right off, the other bolts. Very easy to fix.

Fresnelly, I was wondering whether you ever found a fix for the fuse blowing on the rear wiper of your Focus. I seem to have the same problem, so I am interested in what you ended up doing.

I haven't had it looked at it yet. I'm just about to sink a grand into fixing the AC system so I might get the shop to look into it at the same time.