The struts that hold up the hood of my '95 SE are no longer strong enough to hold it up and I have to prop it with a big stick (yuck).
My dealer wants close to $100 for replacements. Before I go try a junk yard does anyone else know a cheap fix for this?

Chris

 

autozone, i think they are called strong arm, should be like 25 for a pair.

good luck

 

Try autozone or R&S strauss. i think these go for $20 or so.

 

If you go to a Autozone or pepboys or some place like that you should be able to find the replacements for around 30$ each. Not a huge difference from the dealer cost but a savings nonetheless. I kinda doubt the ones from a junkyard will be in any better condition than those currently attached to your hood.

 

Get StrongArms since it has a lifetime warranty on it. It will go bad again in a year or two so it'll be replaced for free. The ones at AutoZone or PepBoys have like a 1 year warranty or something.

http://www.partsamerica.com/PartDeta...artNumber=4524 I don't have a PartsAmerica store local to me so I'm going to be looking around Chicago for them. Don't want them shipped because when they go bad, I'll have to pay shipping again. If it's local, I can just drive there and pick them up and not wait a week

 

Vise-Grip Locking Pliers will do the trick !

 

They run $17 and change (not 30!) at your local parts store. I am not sure which one does and which one doesn't carry them - autozone or advanced auto.

 

That's what I use right now I keep it in the armrest and use it whenever I'm doing something under the hood. Looks better than using a stick

 

I got the same problem with my '97 SE

 

yes so do i ... 97 SE i have already been popped in the head a few times with sticks and junk holding the hood up .. lol

i saw a picture where some guy is using his babies toy broom !~

 

Funny your Maxima is the same color and trim as mine


97 MAXIMA SE

 

Called Advance Auto Parts.
StrongArms $17 each and you need two.
Lifetime warranty.
Gonna pick them up later this afternoon. Thanks guys.

Chris

 

Look at the top right (hood strut)

 

I like the vise grip idea. I have 115k on my 97 SE and don't really get under the hood as much as I used to

 

I didn't know strongarms go bad so fast mine are going bad too so I don't know which hood struts to get, OEM or strongarms

 

Get the Nissan ones so at least you are good for another 4 years. Mine was not easy to replace and I had to use a Dremel cutting wheel to cut off the head in order to reuse the ball joint.

 

i was gonna get a pair. autozone has em for 20 bux each. but then its a waste cuz i never do anything under the hood anyways!

 

I bought a pair of them at Advance on Saturday and then returned them on Sunday, LOL. With tax it came to almost $40. I still have a lot of work to do on this thing before its even road-safe so I figure it should be vise grips until I get to that point then maybe I'll splurge on new ones. Its definately money well spent on other things for now.

 

mine went out on my 96 and Vise-Grip's work fine for me

 

I use a triangle shapped rock. I keep it under my seat while driving