Can someone tell me if there is a way to temporarily disengage the hatch struts on my Z? One or both have failed and I am trying to determine which one.

I tried to pull the top ball out of its socket, but it doesn't want to come out and I don't want to pull too hard.

Is there and easy way to remove just the strut with having to unscrewing the housing part from the car?

 

Not that I recall. Best to replace them in pairs...