Need tips on Hood Shocks

[gsjohnson]

I am just about to embark on my first experience at changing out my hood shocks/struts. I'm tired of the prop stick that always gets in the way when performing work under the hood. After performing a search on the subject, I only find threads of everyone complaining about the job. But no real advice, tips or how tos in getting the job done with the least amount of grief. It appears that the fuel fill pipe is limiting the work space on the drivers side. Oh, and I have a 72 T. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

[ossiblue]

Actually, some of the most recent threads offer a great tip--a long hemostat. I'd suggest a bit of practice pulling and replacing the pin and safety with either a thin pair of long needle-nose pliers or get a long hemostat (don't know where but they are available). Everything else in the replacement is obvious and straight forward.

[Zeke]

And don't worry so much about the little clevis pin. The lift pin will stay on it's own due to constant pressure. You have to raise the hood to the point of just starting to bind to get the pins in. 2 people makes this a snap.

[gtc]

Having a second person to hold the hood while I inserted the pin was helpful for me. If they have small hands, even better.

[Jack Olsen]

A hood strut means never having to scrape your knuckles again.

[vash]

hemostats, and a friend.

[scottb]

Some people of said that it's a good idea to tie a thread to the pin before trying to install it. That way, when you inevitably drop it, you'll be able to easily retrieve it and try again.

HTH.

[tchanson]

As noted above, a cheap locking hemostat makes the job on the driver's side in particular a snap.

Available here:

http://www.sciplus.com/search.cfm?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=search&utm_content=cf&utm_campaign=celsearchtest&formfield1234567891=0&formfield1234567892=11&formfield1234567894=&term=hemostat&btnHand.x=0&btnHand.y=0







Tim

[bdisco]

The string / thread + pin idea sounds like a great one. The hood struts are on my "to do list" this spring. Thanks.

[ths911]

Did mine 2 weeks ago. got the hemostat from Harbor freight. I also used dental floss tied to the small peices so when I dropped them - and I did - they were easy to retreive. Then cut off the floss after I was done.

take your time and you'll be OK.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=94952

[widgeon13]

The above is the best advice you can have, just take your time and don't get stressed over the thing. Use the dental floss and not string.

[burgermeister]

I'm with milt - screw the clip on the driver's side. My car didn't have one, so someone before me had the idea too. I haven't had the pin move yet.

[gsjohnson]

Thanks to everyone for their input. If nothing else, I have gained some confidence, although I think I threw away all of my roach clips from the 60s.

[efhughes3]

Save your money and time:

Buy the Seinesystems hood "stick"-looks slick, works slick.

[ClickClickBoom]

Hey,
Just did mine today, 1975 911S, everything above applies. I used a nylon strap around the rafters to hold up the hood(the dog didn't help at all). Took about an hour, using the OEM ones I bought on eBay.
Cake job!
eric

[RSBob]

I did mine today as well. I parked the car into a 63 MPH headwind (constant) which kept the hood up - but had to be quick to duck when it dropped below 45. I then suspended myself with the assistance of a climbing harness upside down from my apple tree. Dressed in full surgical garb, and using a robotic arm, a piece of dental floss (unwaxed) I guided the inverted arm in 23 degree maneuver.... and dropped the cletis pin... until I dressed in my magnetic suit.... and it was just that easy!

[rgrimm]

I can do the '68...the '84 is a nightmare.

So I took the cowards way out on the filler-neck side. I discovered that a replacement interior door hinge pin was the correct diameter and, from the inside (not the fender side) inserted it through the hole as far as it would go.

It's not going to work itself all the way out!

[BRP83SC]

I paid the local porsche expert the fee to install mine while getting some other work done

Hey, we need to jump start the economy.

[Nickatnyt]

Originally Posted by BRP83SC

I paid the local porsche expert the fee to install mine while getting some other work done

I was going to do that until I was quoted $300 just for labor.

Uh.....NO

[BRP83SC]

Originally Posted by Nickatnyt

I was going to do that until I was quoted $300 just for labor.

Uh.....NO

I purchased the shocks from out host and labor was well under $100