Checking Gas struts

Popping the tailgate on the combi last week. I noticed it was a bit clunky.  It wasn't any better next time I used it.  Closer examination  revealed the offside gas strut was loose at the body end. 

A quick furtle with fingers achieved nothing.   The whole ball end which screws into the body work was flopping about, so much so my initial concern was somehow the captive nut had made a break for freedom, leading to a bit of mayhem when the thing cocked over and did damage of professional proportions.

Fortunately a more in depth investigation showed the ball end was re tightenable without the extreme dismantling this sort of thing too often requires.

A quick flourish with a 13mm OE, a flash with WD40 and an overlay of copperslip spray and hopefully another 6 years will pass before  I need to do it again.

Another of those things that needs a few minutes of attention, without which the entropic destruction of all things gets a bit of a boost.

Have a merry xmas everyone, and the sort of new year I'm sure you deserve.