Ball joint for rear tailgate struts severely rusted...

[NoVA_KJ]

So, my rear window struts finally kicked it after years of opening up halfway. I went to install new ones, and the ball joints they connect to were shot. All of the original black paint flaked off and the rust was so bad and pitted, some of the ball joints looked like little raisins. I cleaned up the loose paint and rust as best I could and installed the struts, but they wouldn't join properly and don't ride smoothly. One of the struts ended up popping off and getting damaged when I unwittingly opened the tailgate.

I've looked all over the internet for replacement ball joints with no success. Any suggestions on how to address this?

 

[LibertyTC]

May want to ask a dealer bodyshop or get em from a JY IDK.
I am wondering if they could be modded to work.
There are two joints one on the body side and one on the glass side, are they both bad?
L or R side is coming off?
Can you post a photo of what is left of them?

 

[NoVA_KJ]

The L & R glass sides are pretty rusted. The Body side is moderately rusted on the R. Here's a pic of the L glass side. The photo doesn't capture how pitted it is. The strut didn't ride well on it at all.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[GunnerSchenck]

Could try wrapping it in tape, just one tight loop, then pressing the strut onto it and putting the clip in place.
Might not work, but won't take much to find out..

 

[LibertyTC]

If mainly it is the glass sides, oppsie my rear window got broke somehow.. lol..