Tips on Replacing Engine Cover Strut

[WyattEarp]

I just bought a set of the mechanical hood struts for my SC. Put the one on in the left side of the frunk in about 5 minutes. Took a look at the one in the rear engine cover and decided to tackle it another day. Looks like getting to the pin where it attaches to the car in the back of the engine compartment is going to be near impossible. Anyone offer any tips or tricks to getting it done?

[porscheboy1]

Throw it away and brace the engine hood open wit a fiberglass arrow shaft. Put it in your trunk when not in use.

[porche]

Although it relates to the front compartment struts, Pelican has a decent article stored under the Tech Info tab. Most of the information for the front can help you do the rear.
Pelican Technical Article: 911 Hood Strut Replacement
By using the search engine you'll find more tips under the 911/930 Tech Forums.
If you don't have a hemostat, you can purchase a more than adequate 12" one for about $4 or $5 at HF.
Put a cloth below the area you are working on to catch any pins or clips that might fall.
Not that hard a job Good Luck!
Bud

[DaveMcKenz]

It's a little stretch, but I can reach it. You probably can too. Put some padding over the engine and sheet metal. Prop the lid up with a stick to take pressure off the pin. Pull the cotter pin and switch the main pin. It's a typical nuisance on these cars, but you get used to it. Someday I will work on cars where everything is right out in the open.
Good luck,
Dave

[porche]

Originally Posted by DaveMcKenz

...Put some padding over the engine and sheet metal. Prop the lid up with a stick to take pressure off the pin. Pull the cotter pin and switch the main pin. It's a typical nuisance on these cars, but you get used to it...

+1

I forgot to mention in my post that another pair of hands can be useful too.
.

[Wayne 962]

It's a pain. Try replacing them on a 959 - very, very difficult. I had to fabricate a tool that would hold the clip. It basically was a wooden dowel. Be prepared to drop it in the engine - you need a magnetic tool to retrieve it if you don't lay down some plastic there. Removing the air box helps. This procedure is very easy on the early carb cars - not so much on the 3.2 or the Turbo cars for sure!

-Wayne

[manbridge 74]

Easy. After about the 5th one you finally use a long magnet in one hand and a long flat blade screwdriver in the other. Prying and catching clip with one movement.