I bought the plastic trim rim that goes around the rear hatch, from the latch around to the center pillars, and hook on just ahead of where the hydraulic strut rods connect on the bottom. Trouble is, I can't seem to figure out how to get those lifter rods off the little studs. There is no clip on mine, just the stud, which has a ball on one end under the end of the rod, and what looks like a 9/16 nut holding the stud to the body. Is there a trick to get the rod off, so that the hole in the trim panel can go around the stud, or is that nut the only way to unscrew the stud and the stud and rod come off together? Chiltons and Factory manuals just say, remove the rods..., but don't tell the trick for how. Just wondering if anyone has had to replace the rods or the trim pieces and had a similar dilemma. As you can tell, I'm no mechanic or body man, so I try, but fly blind. (... but at least I ask for directions!) Much obliged, C4VR amigos.

If I understand what you're asking, this link might help.  It's actually intended as a guide for replacing the rear hatch weather stripping, but not too far into the video, they talk about popping the struts that hold up the rear hatch.

My '84 struts just came off with a small screw driver under the 'clip' at the top and bottom. I purchased a set of recommended struts on one of the forums; guy on ebay, I think; and they included instructions on how to do it. I watched a technician at the body shop I use (was there for other service) and he made the whole thing look very easy. Old off in less than 5 minutes and new on in same time, although one of the electrical contacts was loose, so we uninstalled one side, again in less then a couple of minutes, screwed the bottom up against the contact to make it firm, and then back on again.

Here's an image of the instructions that came with the set:

My 87 don't have the little clip to pry out, but the video that LT4CE mentioned (from MAMotorworks weatherstrip install vid) shows them just prying the ball of the stud with a nail puller. I think that's what mine would do, so I'll try it and let ya know how it comes out (or not...). Thanks guys, you are on this Earth for a reason, and this is as good as any - playing with Corvettes and helping others play with Corvettes. Pretty neat.

One of the 1st things of many I changed on my 93 was the rear struts. Very easy job if I can do it anyone can.