Installing damn clip on bottom pin - left hood shock

[ajmarton]

Okay, I have scratched enough skin off my knuckles - so it's time for help. The new Weltmeister Heavy-Duty Front Hood Shock (passenger side) went in with no problem - plenty of room to put the clip back on the bottom pin. Not quite so easy on the left side - I can insert the pin one way (end to take the clip facing outside of the car) but have no room to insert it the other way which would make putting on the clip so much "easier". Any tricks on how to accomplish this? Unfortunately, I have big hands.... I'm embarrased to actually ask my mechanic to finish the job. Andrew

[JoeyD911]

A long pair of needle nose pliers worked for me. Tough deal but doable.

[ossiblue]

Or you could use a long hemostat as some use. However, the tension on the pin from the shock will keep it secure without the clip--lots of Pelicans don't put in the clip. The pin will be under tension until you manually lift the hood a bit beyond the full open position.

[sailchef]

There was a discussion about this same topic just a few weeks ago. several guys had a few different solutions.

[Joe Bob]

I left the clip off.....the pressure keeps the pin from backing out.

[Tsunamiboy]

Clip? Don't need no stinkin clip!

[burgermeister]

I'm with the "no clip" crowd as well ... pin hasn't come out yet.

[bassjack]

I did mine a month ago, and yes the passenger side is a piece of cake as you mention...that's why I did it first. On the driver's side I discovered a PO had packed a wad of black pliable gummy stuff on the end of the pin in place of the clip.

Recognizing a good idea when I see one I just reused the black gummy stuff! And no one knows it's there except me! Oh, wait...

Jack

[kerthunk]

I had the exact same problem. This is how I did it.

I simply cut an 18" piece of 14ga wire, stripped an end and made a little hook on the other end, like this:



I then slipped the clip onto the stripped part of the wire like this:



With one hand, I fed the wire down and put the clip in the right position. You can use the hook end to rotate it as need be. I then just slid the other hand down and simply pushed the clip on and yanked the wire out.

[NY65912]

I used a real long needle nose pliers. Next time....no clip.

[jh225]

Surprised no one has mentioned the super easy way.

Take a collapsible magnet wand (the kind used to pick up dropped nuts, bolts, etc). Stick the closed end of the clip to the magnet, slide the setup right up to the pin slot and hold there.

With your other hand take a long, thick flat bladed screwdriver and press the clip on. Takes 5 seconds.

[ssrodder]

I did the magnet deal about a month ago. Works like a charm.

[dshepp806]

Hemostats for me,..what a pain!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lost it twice,..took forever to find it...both times,..laughing all the way....


Best,


Doyle

[scottb]

Originally Posted by dshepp806

Lost it twice,..took forever to find it...both times,..

I've heard of some people tying dental floss to the clip before trying to install it so when the inevitable happens (it pops off during installation) it can be easily retrieved. Then, once the clip is installed, an Exacto knife is used to cut the dental floss.

I haven't tried this trick, so YMMV.

Scott

[RSTarga]

hemostat is the easiest

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by kerthunk

I had the exact same problem. This is how I did it.

I simply cut an 18" piece of 14ga wire, stripped an end and made a little hook on the other end, like this:



I then slipped the clip onto the stripped part of the wire like this:



With one hand, I fed the wire down and put the clip in the right position. You can use the hook end to rotate it as need be. I then just slid the other hand down and simply pushed the clip on and yanked the wire out.

Just learned something from this thread. I always thought the clips were more like a cotter pin (mine are) but the one shown clearly is different. Has there been a redesign of the pin/clip in later cars?

[dfink]

Remove the air duct that passes from the heater through the firewall and behold the clip is right there with a nice hand hole to put it in with.

[Wil Ferch]

Easiest of all is not using a clip on the lower-drivers side at all. The enormous pressure on the pin won't allow it to move out !!!

[ajmarton]

Thanks everyone - I finally got it in. I used a magnetic "pen" (caftsman pickup tool) that grabbed the shaft of the pin right by the head. My 15 year old son came up with the magnet idea and was able to get the pin slightly inserted but the maget was not strong enough hold the pin while we tried to push it in. So we came up with the tape idea which held it enough to push it through. We taped it into a 90 degree position but using the tape still gave it some "give" to adjust and get into the hole. For some reason it is a lot easier to align the pin with the hole if you do it this way as you have to angle it to fit into the hole. The trick for someone trying to do this job is (1) have someone hold and move the hood up and down for you to line up the holes (this helps alot) and (2) angle whatever device you use to hold the pin so your hand is closer to the firewall while the end with the pin is facing toward the nose of the car as you go down toward the U bracket. Also rest the bottom of the shock toward the fire wall right behind the U bracket. It is stable and will rest there bearing the weight of the lid. (I already had the passenger side all buttoned up and the top of the driver side shock installed.) This gives you a better view of the bracket and the hole that you are aiming for. I also used a flashlight that can sit up on top of the brake booster and be pointed down to throw some light down there for you. Coming straight down with the pin didn't work for me. Once we figured this out the whole process took 5 minutes. Hopes this helps someone else.