Hood shocks trick

[Aurel]

Has anyone ever purchased new hood shocks only to find out they are still too weak to keep the hood open? I had this issue, and I solved it for $2.10 at Ace hardware. Just replace the pins by slightly longer bolts, and double the shocks on the passenger side, reusing your old shiocks. You don’t have to double both sides, just passenger side works fine, and voila, hood stays open easily now .

[pampadori]

my hood stays open fine with one on each side, however i used this same trick on the decklid when I replaced it with one with a whale tail. Two shocks held up the extra weight just fine there.

[proporsche]

Aurel..your hood shocks are upside down....We used to do this in the 1980`s but what will happen is this...you latch will get worn out from this much pressure on one side.Eventually the corner of the front hood will come up due to the press on it.I recommend to replace also the other side..and put the shock the correct way...if two of then do not hold the hood up your-even new -shocks are not good.
Did you get the name Stabilus shocks??
Basically stay away from double shocks on one side....

Ivan

[RedCoupe]

I agree with Ivan about not doing double shocks on one side. When I bought my 86 it had a turbo tail with two shocks on the drivers side only. The deck lid was noticeably twisted. Took a good body shop to straighten it.

[sky1jord]

Cool trick, Thanks

[aualexa2]

My shocks were shot and I installed the rennline mechanical shocks. Never have to change shocks again!

Rennline Fully Mechanical Hood Strut-Rennline, Inc.

[chrisbalich]

Originally Posted by aualexa2

My shocks were shot and I installed the rennline mechanical shocks. Never have to change shocks again!

Rennline Fully Mechanical Hood Strut-Rennline, Inc.

Those are slick, but my first thought was if the wind rocked the hood back far enough to un-click those shocks, it's coming down in a hurry. I reckon there's not too many reasons to leave the hood open, but that's definitely what I thought of immediately.

[proporsche]

aua...I must say nice stuff..but 100 bucks for 2 shock is a lot

[Quicksilver]

I have hood lights so there is no way that hood shocks will do it.
I have a wooden dowel.

If "new" hood shocks don't hold open a stock hood there is something wrong with them. I wonder how long they sat on a shelf somewhere.

[adias]

Originally Posted by chrisbalich

Those are slick, but my first thought was if the wind rocked the hood back far enough to un-click those shocks, it's coming down in a hurry. I reckon there's not too many reasons to leave the hood open, but that's definitely what I thought of immediately.

Good point!

[Tony V]

If there is any bondo in the hood the hood shocks won't last long. Especially bad if it's in the front where the nose usually gets dinged. I installed the Seine hood prop and being carbon fiber it added a few ounces to the car. Still have the old gas struts in place to control the closing speed.
I'll see if the link will make it through: Seine Systems > Ultimate Strut

[pmax]

Nice work.
I assume you are pairing the new with the old shock, with the old on the extended lever.

But hah, Ace hardware parts ? Someone will ding you for that sin, not me !

[Sebscst]

It’s ok, ace hardware imports their bolts from Germany.

[gptom]

the mechanical shocks are similar to the 356 type. How many 356 hoods were bent by someone assuming they are gas shocks and pushing down. just saying

[blucille]

Originally Posted by gptom

the mechanical shocks are similar to the 356 type. How many 356 hoods were bent by someone assuming they are gas shocks and pushing down. just saying

this is what is keeping me from doing the change as well....every other car I own, hood or trunk is operated by gas struts, certainly I am a creature of habit....aren't we all?....and I've owned plenty of 911's with gas struts, how long before I learn which car has a mechanical strut and how much potential damage will I do?

So, the better question is, I've never replaced gas struts on any car, hood or trunk except 911's.....and EVERY 911 I've ever had has needed new gas struts. If I really cared, they would need to be replaced every year to keep the trunk lid open. I've bought the heaviest duty ones, stabilus usually....brand new, they would last me less than a year before the trunk lid starts to droop again.

I have a massive collection of mostly-worn struts

[Walt Fricke]

I once had a nifty plastic sort of lock on a hood strut. Open the hood, and a finger would slide over to block the bottom of the strut. Press the finger out of the way, and lower the hood. Didn't last long due to vigorous attempts by other to close it.

My broom sticks are usually close to hand. I really should make a rod (not as nice as the commercial carbon fiber one)which is installed and pivots.

[midnight911]

my solution.
i prefer not having the shock working where you no longer need to push the hood down. just drop it few inches and it locks up.

[Hi_Fi_Guy]

In the 80’s you could buy these cheap little plastic lever arms that clipped onto the (failing/failed) strut to manually hold it open. The plastic arm was strong enough to hold any hood or hatch and only required you slightly lift up before shutting the lid. If you forgot and slammed the lid the clip would be pushed by the lever arm and release before any harm could be done.

[Trackrash]

My carbon fiber hood stays up fine with those new wimpy hood shocks.

[Teutonics]

Originally Posted by midnight911

my solution.
i prefer not having the shock working where you no longer need to push the hood down. just drop it few inches and it locks up.

Okay, that's a slick idea!!!