I was able to purchase the 2 struts/pitons that hold the engine's cover. These seem easy to install as they have metal rings that snap and then hold the metal ***** that are mounted to the engine frame.

The FUN part has been trying to get the old struts out. The do not have these metal rings. I have hit them with a rubber mallet and are not going anywhere.
How are these 2 struts removed? Do they unscrew from the frame?

Any help is much appreciated as the old struts have no gas and the cover will not stay open.

Thanks.

 

i unscrewed them with a pair of locking needle nose pliers. they came out slowly but surely.

 

The ball is permanently attached to the strut and can not be removed. just unscrew it from the frame.

 

If you need the ***** like I did I hacksawed them off and reused them.