Which hood shock for an '88?

[KFC911]

After 20 years, my front hood shock has gotten "tired". I see three options here on Pelican for replacement options: Stabilus (OEM supplier), Meyle (higher pressure, heavy duty) both at around $14, and a Weltmeister HD for around $30. I don't think I need a heavy duty version since my original lasted for 20 years, but just wanted some feedback. Are all three essentially a PITA to install or am I thinking about the rear deck lid shock .

[felix_browne]

i don't have the shocks anymore so i can't comment on the quality of one over the other but the installation is made much much easier if you have a pair of needle-nose pliers with an angle in the end. these will help in dealing with the clip around the brake assy. on the driver's side.

[M491driver]

I went with the Meyle (higher pressure, heavy duty) and was very happy with them. When I released the hood latch the hood raised without any help which was quite a bit different than what I was used to.

[rfloz]

Originally Posted by KC911

After 20 years, my front hood shock has gotten "tired". I see three options . . .

1. Good - old broom or mop handle, cheap, sturdy.
2. Better - 1" OD PVC cut to length. Added benefit - near match to GP White.
3. Best - 1" OD thin wall aluminum tube. Dip ends in liquid rubber to preserve paint. Old pool skimmer handles will work nicely.

Or, for overkill, there is the CF prop that Wayne sells.

Can you tell I replaced one bad hood shock with another bad hood shock.

[911pcars]

This option should be lurking in one of Pelican's hood support pages. Lightweight, iinstalls into existing chassis holes. Guaranteed to never leak gas.



Sherwood
SeineSystems.com

[rusnak]

I think the super heavy duty one is a Smart Racing part but I could be wrong. I really like the heavy duty one because it's made shorter than the stock strut. You'll find out how important this is at installation time. It makes it much easier because you don't have to try to compress the strut with one hand while threading the bolt with the other.

[williecoyote]

I just replaced all of mine with the Meyle ones. The previous Stabilus struts lasted 12 years. I read somewhere that the $30. ones weren't that special.
On the front one on the driver's side, I used an extra long pair of needle nose pliers as mentioned above. The other front one, and the back one were easy enough with my hands.

[84porsche9113.2]

i had my car for 10 years, not sure when i replaced the shocks but it coud've been within the 1st year of owning it. if so, they were gone in less than 10 years because i replaced them last year and I'm not sure how many years they were bad before i replaced them.

i haven't even used the hood much and it just fails. after that I went with the "lifetime warranty" ones. they are very stiff.

just my .02 cents. the brace solutions look good too, but a little more of a "slight" hassle because everytime you open the hood you have to move the rod. most of the higher end cars always have hood shocks, compared to the lower end ones which do not and have a brace. again, just my .02 cents.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by rfloz

1. Good - old broom or mop handle, cheap, sturdy...

That's what I'm using for now...works fine in the garage, but I don't carry it with me in order to save weight . Thanks everyone!

[Rot 911]

I use a wood paddle. This after trying all the struts and having them fail.

[KFC911]

Hmm...I rarely open my hood when not in my garage, maybe I already have "the upgrade".