Nothing too thrilling but one of those jobs I aint done before so thought I would pop up a very simple run through for anyone like me who aint done this. The struts I had fitted were on their last legs and had lost their "power". Very hit and miss whether they would hold up the tailgate...not very good, and not very safe
Time to replace with ones that actually open and hold it there ! I got some aftermarket brand new struts from Martin at Capri Gear. He said these will fit fine but you just have to swap the end fixings.new ones on bottom, old ones on top
20170106_153648 by nicholas bowler, on Flickrto remove the old ones you have to prise out a locking tab then a gentle tap to release the strut from the tailgate "ball joint" fixing. Make sure the heated rear window connections are all removed first !
20170106_153730 by nicholas bowler, on Flickrthe struts I got from Martin had these end fittings held in place with a metal circlip...
20170106_154000 by nicholas bowler, on Flickrcirclip removed so can now unscrew the fitting
20170106_154024 by nicholas bowler, on Flickr
20170106_154045 by nicholas bowler, on Flickrcould now fit the old fitting onto the new strut. the threads were a bit fiddly and very tight, but with a bit of "fiddling" got them on nice and secure!
20170106_154419 by nicholas bowler, on Flickrother end now
20170106_161130 by nicholas bowler, on Flickrthen fitted them back onto the tailgate. gentle tap to get them on the ball joint then tap the fixing tab back in, then reconnect the wiring connectors for the heated window
20170106_165407 by nicholas bowler, on FlickrThey work an absolute treat ! The ones I had before were terrible compared to these. With these new ones fitted I now only have to open the tailgate about a third/halfway for the struts to take over and lift it "automatically" ! Very happy how its turned out.
I shot a short video link to show how well they work, but it was getting late and don't think I fitted the parcel shelf support pole properly as its "creaking loudly" when it opens
but you can see how the struts work well. I will pop down tomorrow to sort out the "sound effects" but most important is its so much better now and I can walk away from the Capri with the knowledge that a gust of wind wont blow it closed as happened previously ! Might need to grease the pole where it slots into the parcel shelf mounts. Apologies for the "off putting" sound...maybe turn to mute to play it please but now I mentioned the creaking I am sure you will all want to hear it now Click on the picture to bring up the video link...
20170106_165529 by nicholas bowler, on FlickrAnyhow chaps, as said not a major project but one of those jobs if you aint done before might be quite useful to know how to do it.
All the best
Nick
PS With the struts removed I did not realise how heavy the tailgate actually is !!
These struts really do a great job of lifting and holding the tailgate when you realise the weight of it !
So I had the originals regassed and they were great afterwards.
It went back up quicker than ever before after that 
and just as you said mate its great to know Martin can supply these brand new aftermarket ones and they only need changing the end fittings to make them fit. I did have plenty of headroom in the garage John...honest ! I can see in the video it looks very close from that angle indeed 
