Replaced MY Front Hood Struts Today

[mkimber]

I finally got tired of my front hood hitting me in the head or using a broom stick as a prop for the '87 Carrera. Maybe this has been said already, but I highly recommend Bob Tindel's article in the Tech Info Center to anyone thinking about replacing their front hood struts. What could have been a long and frustrating afternoon (particularly installing the pin and retainer on the driver's side) turned into a rather straight forward DIY, at least for someone who is mechanically challenged more often than not.

[felix_browne]

the trick for doing this job is having a pair of needle nose pliers with a bend at the end (90*) for putting the pin in and the retaining clip on likely one of my most used tools. especially usefull on the driver's side.

[mkimber]

Looks like we used the same approach, Felix. I used a very long and slightly curved pair hemostats for the pins, and dental floss to tie to the retainers so I could find them if I dropped them into the "black hole" or they flying across the garage (Bob Tindel's suggestions).

[rs6er]

Wish I'd read that article. lol!

[RDR911]

I didn't read the article, but my wife has small hands, so she finished the drivers side for me, what a gal!

[Driver Ed]

I used hemostats for the pins, too, but didn't tie anything to the retaining clips. I was done in less than twenty minutes... or about an hour if you count the time spent looking for and then fabricating a new clip!

[LakeCleElum]

Agreed, the article was quite useful.....Was my 2nd hood upgrade...The first was from a Yardstick that finally broke to a piece of 1 X 4 lumber.......

[rs6er]

Any advice on doing the rear?

[Driver Ed]

The rear deck is essentially the same job.

[movin]

Couldn't you drill the mounting pins to fit cotter pins instead of using the PIA OEM circlips?

[mkimber]

Cotter pins sounds like a good alternative. Wayne's book also suggests using nuts and bolts.

[Dantilla]

I recently changed the passenger side, and since the hood would stay up on it's own, decided that the other new one is now for next time I change the passenger side only.

[Driver Ed]

I don't know how cold it gets where you are, but those things don't work as well when it's cold out and you may find you need both.

[qlander]

The idea of using dental floss is awesome. Wonder if it would work on nuts. Although the tolerances may be too small. Interesting.

Q.

[rs6er]

Originally posted by mkimber
Cotter pins sounds like a good alternative. Wayne's book also suggests using nuts and bolts.

I figured that one out on my own after one of the clips fell into the abyss.

[buster73]

I'm finally done with hood struts and "lifetime" warranties. Converted engine and trunk lid to Carbon Fiber struts. Not planing to touch them again for the next 30 years.