%*&#@* Hood Struts

[jtratza]

Someone please tell me there is an easier way to replace the front hood strut drivers side. I replaced the passenger side but can't get my fingers down there to put the pins back into the little bitty holes nor compress the strut enough to put the top pin in once I get the %^&*#$ bottom pin in. Alternative is a hood prop which is looking better all the time. Thanks. And if anyone tells me to do a search for this I will put one of these struts where the sun don't shine.

JT aka Not a Happy Camper!

[JP911]

Sadly there really isn't a better way. The best thing to do is get someone with smaller hands to help out. Perhaps the wife or the neighbor's kid.

[Oh Haha]

I left the pin off mine on the driver's side. There is enough pressure pushing down on it that it's not going anywhere. I spent three hours moving things and trying to get that pin installed. Finally gave up. Checked it during my Fall maintenance look around. Hasn't moved a bit.
EDIT: I installed the top pin, left the bottom out.

[rching]

Gosh, I've replaced several in my 72' and 84' and 85'. I'm about to do my 94' but this looks so much easier with a ball and cup style bottom attachment. For the earlier cars, I used long needle nose pliers to put the clip on, long screwdrivers to hold the pin in...had my body bent in all positions, had to look for the clip each time I didn't get it snapped in. There may be an easier way, this is how I did it! Sorry, not much help! You'll be glad when it's done and you don't have to prop the hood up with your head!!!

[jtratza]

Thanks JP. I think the hood prop in carbon fiber (versus the cut off wooden cane I am currently using) is looking better and better. Its sunny and near 80 outside and I am %$#&* with this.

[2.7S]

jtratza

I had the same problem. After 10 minutes of frustration with the driver-side pin, I pulled out two long-nosed needle nose pliers and was done in 5 minutes. I used one to hold the pin still and the second to remove and reinstall the lock pin.

Regards,

[avalad2]

I understand your frustation I ended up taking the hood off my car to replace it which was not a good idea because there is a Pelican technical article that uses some specific tools that will get the job done:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/911_hood_strut/911_hood_strut.htm

[Howard M]

I replaced mine with a marine style pin with a spring loaded ball on one end (to lock the pin in place) and a wire ring on the other (to make manipulating it easier). McMaster Carr, I think.

[jtratza]

Wayne, Yor suggestion was taken. I got the top pin in and put the bottom pin in from the inside and left the clip off. If it moves I'll replace it with a hood prop. Now off for a drive! Thanks all.

[AvonGil]

This is the way to go. Just put the pin in and leave it without the locking clip. There is so much pressure on it, it wont move. Mine has not. Its a very very easy job if you dont bother to put the locking gadget back in.

[ChrisBennet]

Make a pin holder with a piece of stiff wire (coathanger) with a female spade connecter crimped on the end.
Taking on the PITA Jobs, Trunk Lid Strut Replacement
-Chris

[kqw]

The best way to install the drivers side:

Insert the pin where the locking clip will be towards the inside of the trunk instead of the fender.

[911pcars]

CF hood prop. The factory hood shocks are a regularly scheduled replacement item. YMMV.



Sherwood

[jkarolyi]

I was "blessed" with small hands, so I can accomplish this task pretty easily. Makes me wonder if the hood strut installer at the factory was required to have small hands.

Either that or the ultimate punishment at the factory was to be reassigned as the "hood strut installer".

[rgrimm]

I thought the 68 was bad...let's just say I was lucky the wife wasn't home when I tried the 84!

Lost the pin trying to put in the driver's side (I'm assuming it's still in there...somewhere). Then I had a revelation. I had a pack of replacement pins for interior door hinges. They're the right size. Shoved one in from the inside as far as it would go, so it would have to work a long way out. I reach in and give it a little push every so often, but so far it doesn't seem to be working out at all.

[jtratza]

Thanks Sherwood. Next time I needs struts I'm going with one of those. I did like kqw suggested and put the pin in from the reverse side. I doubt it will come free any time soon.

[kqw]

Originally posted by jtratza
.....put the pin in from the reverse side. I doubt it will come free any time soon.

Once you have the pin inserted, the clip can slip on with the help of needle nose pliers.

[Joe Bob]

hemostats and dental floss......

[Mothy]

I have a hi-tech light weight carbon fibre hood prop which has served well for the last 6 months - used to have a sand wedge on one end but cut it off and put a rubber stopper over the end.

One of these days I'll get the courage to replace the struts....... but threads like this one help me keep putting it off. :-)

Tim

[Joe Bob]

I removed the struts as it warps my F/G hood...