Mechanical Hood Struts

[vesnyder]

Anybody try the mechanical hood struts? I have been through my third set of pneumatic struts and I am going to give them a try. Will I need two of them or could I get away with just one?

Thanks

[Noah930]

You're referring to the $75 Rennline ones? While it's not hard to replace the hood/decklid struts, I do it just infrequently enough that it's always a minor PITA. I'd be interested in the consensus, as well.

[Indescikov]

Rennline works very well. Installed on two cars. Nothing but positive

[7783911]

Rennnline work well, i installed 2 on front but in the end, took one off and put regular on so i have a bit of a lift and a lock model. The rear deck strut from rennline is great

[vesnyder]

Yes, I am looking at the $75 Rennline ones. Last time I installed mine it was a major PIA! If I remember correctly, I never did get the one clip on. Not looking forward to it. Last ones I purchased I got the "lifetime guarantee", but if they are going to fail every 4-5 years it is worth it to me to try something else.

[gamin]

I installed the Rennline struts on the '70 front and rear. They work great and very nice quality.
And yes the left front is a bit of a pita but no more so than many other things on a 911. Worth it.

[Upier]

I got a pair from Rennline for the front of my 86. They are great. Wish I had done it sooner. If you do buy them make sure you get a pair and let other know you have them so they don't try to force it closed.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[donporfi]

I have been using one for over 10 years now, this one was not available for years. The last hood strut you will ever buy and it is not affected by the cold weather.
The rear one is a very good addition for the heavy tails.

Mechanical Hood Strut?

[donporfi]

Vance,
I only use the right one on my hood.

[salayc]

I use them, and I generally like them, but it also makes the hood like the 356 which can cause damage if someone doesn't know it's mechanical and pushes down. I've caught myself a few times trying to push.
They also don't open as much as gas struts because they need room to be lifted to engage / disengage.

[AG81]

just installed a set...... very happy.

[Steve Marshall]

They work great. There is potential to bend the lid by someone unfamiliar with how they operate or don't realize they are installed. Ask any 356 owner.

[sugarwood]

There is one caveat to these. If a shop doesn't remember you have them installed, the lid will appear to be stuck. If they try to slam it closed, the hinge will bend.

[walt]

I have these on my fiberglass deck lid. They eliminate the distortion from a gas shock when the lid is closed, the seams stay flush.

[BDSkelly]

I just installed 2 of them today on my ‘71 Targa. I really like them. A high quality item. The passenger side installs in 10 minutes. The driver side installs after a significant amount of cursing and one skinned, bleeding hand. YMMV

[dannobee]

Maybe I'm just a lot cheaper than you guys. Or maybe we had this trick four decades ago and it got lost or forgotten somewhere along the line.

Cut off a 3.25" piece of 3/4" pvc pipe, then remove one end of the engine cover strut and slide the pvc pipe onto the strut. When you open the engine cover, slide the pvc pipe down onto the shaft and it falls into place, holding the hood up. When you want to lower it, lift the pvc pipe up and pull it back to the strut main body. Easy peasy. Paint it black if you're worried about appearance.

[MichaelSJackson]

Originally Posted by dannobee

Maybe I'm just a lot cheaper than you guys. Or maybe we had this trick four decades ago and it got lost or forgotten somewhere along the line.

Cut off a 3.25" piece of 3/4" pvc pipe, then remove one end of the engine cover strut and slide the pvc pipe onto the strut. When you open the engine cover, slide the pvc pipe down onto the shaft and it falls into place, holding the hood up. When you want to lower it, lift the pvc pipe up and pull it back to the strut main body. Easy peasy. Paint it black if you're worried about appearance.

dannobee,

I assume you only use this on one side? Any torque issues while sitting open?

[dannobee]

Engine covers only have the strut on the LH side.

[MichaelSJackson]

dannobee,

My engine cover has a metal whale tail. Last time I replaced the strut, I added one on the RH side.

But I was asking about your front hood. You don't use this idea up there?

I think I'd paint it orange to get the attention of anybody else trying to close the lids.