Lift gate staying ajar?

I replaced the air struts on the lift gate on my vehicle listed above sport, because the original ones would not stay open on cold mornings. It took no effort at all to open the lift gate door and close it with ease. So I decided to buy aftermarket ones online. I installed the new ones and of course since they're new they have so much gas in them and the liftgate was not easy to pull down to close and I've been having the issue of really having to close the door hard to compensate for the pressure in the air struts to get it closed without staying a jar but now I have one side that stays ajar and it doesn't matter how hard I close the door It stays a jar on one side and then I have to push it with two hands to make it click and lock properly. Wasn't an issue before but a while back I couldn't open the liftgate because a little piece of plastic broke so I replaced the little plastic piece that broke and since then when I open the lift gate handle it doesn't retract back and I have to push it forward a bit like it's get stuck and I have to open it on the left side of the handle and not normally like you would in the center because the other side doesn't do anything So if I were to try to open the liftgate on that right side of the handle I pull forward and nothing happens only on the left side is where it clicks and opens and that happens to be the side that stays a jar. So I'm kind of wondering whether I need to replace the handle mechanism since it's not opening properly but I inspected the latches on each side of the liftgate and they're opened as they should. And the other thing I was wondering if I need to replace the liftgate striker bushings. They look like PVC tubing. They're not broken or damaged in any way they're just worn from the latch strikes and I never had a problem before I changed the air struts. I just figure there's more tension with these new air struts and I have to compensate by closing it harder and it shouldn't be that way so I don't know the answer and that's why I'm asking you guys. You've answered questions for me before over the years and I have donated as well for your time and is much appreciated! Thanks, Dan!