icemanhg3

Okay, just got new hood struts from internetautomar (thanx man), but the part of the hood where the bolt is inserted into the brace is not the same size as what's supposed to go in....

Lemme try to explain better. There's a bracket screwed on to the hood where the hood strut is attached. (ON the hood, so not the one on the bottom with the ball). This bracket has a hole that is small (about as big around as a spaghetti noodle). The pin that is supposed to go through the hood strut and the bracket in question is much bigger.

For those who have gotten new hood struts, how did you get the new one installed into the bracket??? Do I need new brackets with bigger holes or am I just overlooking something in my rush to get things done???

HELP!

icemanhg3

BTW, to add insult to injury, even if I can use the current brace, I CAN'T GET THE STUPID FACTORY STRUT OUT!!!! (sorry, had to vent)

-shock211-

iTrader: (1)

just drill the hole out to fit the size of the new bolt...
but don't get drill happy and start making speed holes in the hood .

icemanhg3

I thought about doing that, but two things stopped me...#1, no drill...#2, still can't get the old one off...Did nobody else have this problem???

sublunary

iTrader: (2)

i just use a 11/16 wrench to prop up the hood you know, if all else fails...

icemanhg3

max723

iTrader: (7)

i replaced mine. removing the factory ones was easy- just unbolting/removing. the new brackets had to be drilled and there was a few washers/spacers that went on. i dont remember exactly but i had to drill out the brackets.

Seyath

When I removed my hood I had no problem. Just unbolt the strut and it shoudl slide right off. Try using wd40 and a power drill if all else fails. Or maybe there's another problem and I just misunderstood?

-shock211-

iTrader: (1)

man i wish i could find some hood struts locally. wherever i go they say that they don't carry them or that they're discontinued. WTF!??! it's not like i need hood struts for a ford model t! there's 3rd gen maximas everywhere.
anyways,
i need these struts because i'm tired of getting hit in the head by the god damn hood!

icemanhg3

Ok, I was able to unbolt the bottom part no problem (the one with the ball joint). For the top, it is attached through the brace that's bolted twice on the hood. I totally removed that bracket so that I could try to remove the old strut. The way it is attached right now is kinda like the metal circle on the pocket of your jeans. I can't get it off of there. I can twist it, turn it, whatever. I tried to pry it off with pliers, but I ended up just tearing the plastic washer they had on there.

I was thinking that I just needed new brackets to attach to the hood, but internetautomar doesn't even sell them. I would REALLY like to get this over with, because I have some more important under-the-hood work to do, and it's killing my back to have to hold the hood while i'm working...

max723

iTrader: (7)

i just went to a local pep boys and picked them up for about 20 dollars each. i dont know if they have pepboys by you but any local parts store should carry them. the company that made them had all types or struts but i dont know the name of it. they were sold individually and came with the hardware.

Seyath

http://catalog.autopartsgo.com/?make...1992&x=26&y=24
Hope this helps!
Look under :Body Mechanical and Trim

icemanhg3

I already have the struts, just wondering about the place they attach...Thanks anyway

internetautomar

iTrader: (30)

I sell them just incase you get tired of
But hey , you already knew that

-shock211-

iTrader: (1)

NO!
i'll be spending enough money on your parts soon.
besides my hood struts work perfectly when i clamp vise grips on the piston
(for the record they were already blown before i started clamping the pistons)