I replaced one of the rear hatch struts and ever since, the hatch has been acting oddly. Obviously the new strut is much stronger than the older one on the other side of the hatch, but opening and closing the hatch is very difficult. Also, when unlatching the hatch, it makes this bizarre sound while it's unlatching. Anyone else seen this (see video for issue in question)?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgeydcnCnQQ

 

That is the latch solenoid. It is the thing that the hatch loop buckles into, and that the button on the door activates. Mine went bad and it buzzed like that then worse until it wouldn't hold the hatch closed. I had to use a bungee cord for a while. Changing it out was easy, and I don't think the part was all that expensive.

 

I would suggest you change the other strut. My hatch was a little misaligned because one of the strut was going bad, and was difficult to close, after a while the hatch hinge broke and that was a messy fix (had to drop the headliner to change the hinge.)

 

Thanks for the warning. I was afraid that changing both would make it even harder to close.