Keep those hood shocks working!!!!!!!

[Panzer909]

Okay, its tory time:

Last week, I replaced both hood shocks as they were getting a little tired. Last night, the woman and I went grocery shopping and (pay attention here) released the electric rear hatch. Puzzled, the hatch didn't budge. So I just dismissed it, opening with a key and thinking it was time to adjust those damn pins again.......

Fast forward to this morning's commute. Driving along the freeway at speed when I notice the front hood wobbling!!!!!! F#@k!!! It looks like its going to fly open any second. Of course, this happens only when there is a train of cars right behind you and with no shoulder to pull off on for several miles. Then it comes back to me: last night I pulled the HOOD RELEASE. Smooth.
Luckily, because the hood shocks were so new and tight, it stayed put until making it to the first stop. I highly doubt that any of you will make this mistake (ahem) but be sure not to slide when it comes time to replace those hood shocks.

Albert Einstien
'87 944S

[PrerYDoG]

ROTFLMAO


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That's all I can say about that

[1.2gees]

The hood shocks actually push the hood up at all times...

What kept your hood closed was the safety latch, designed to not let it pop up at speed if you forgot to properly close the hood (or accidently popped it). This would've kept your hood closed, even if you had no shocks at all! I've seen a safety hold down fail first hand (not my car), trust me, you don't want that thing openning at speed. This was at about 115mph or so, it smacked the roof of the car (a stripped Nissan 300zx), and flew off. Lucky for everybody on the road, it flew up, and to the side of the road.

Better luck next time...
Ahmet

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It's all the driver...

[kaffine krazed]

Have you found an easy way of replacing the hood shocks? When I replaced mine it was all I could do to get the new ones on.

[Panzer909]

The process looked easy and straight-forward to install, but both old shocks simply DID NOT want to detach from the ball joint on the bottom. I eventually took a screwdriver and wedged them off, then the pin did not properly align with the insertion holes on top. This also took some strongarming but they eventually lined up.

[Lawrence Coppari]

Replaced one last weekend. There is a retaining clip that you can pry off with a screwdriver. Then the shock comes off the ball relatively easily. If you don't remove the clip, it is difficult.

By the way, the hood came down on me when I was adjusting the timing belt last weekend. I was not happy about it and had a lot to say at the time. Hence, the new shocks.

[This message has been edited by Lawrence Coppari (edited 11-20-2000).]