Pretty self explanatory title....

One is leaking its fluid and the hood usually won't stay open. I bought a replacement support, which looks easy enough to install, but it is attaches differently than the OEM lift. I don't see any mounting tools for the original, and I cannot pry the thing off without denting the metal of my hood. Has anyone done this? How?

 

i did mine a year ago. i think it was a 13mm wrench but i forgot. just unbolt the stock one, and separate the whole unit. i don't think the struts can come off the stock ball joints, hence the need for the wrench. then you just screw in the replacement ball joint, and snap the replacement struts in place. easy as pie.

 

Where did you get the supports? I need them too...

 

go to an advance autoparts store and buy them for $21 a piece. They offer a limited one year warranty so go back in 6 months and give them your old ones

 

You may not get new ball mounts with the new ones. You will have to cut the old ones out and reuse them. I did mine with a cutting wheel on a dremil. I got mine from Advance Auto

 

Yes, the struts does not come off the ball joints harmless. And as it has been told already its a 13 or 12mm open end wrench. Just unscrew both bolts.

 

I just replaced mine earlier this week, and the wrench you want to use is a 12 mm by the way. Noticed something odd, though, with the Nissan hood struts, one was marked L and the other R. Now there's no visual difference between the two so anyone have any idea why they would go to the trouble of making a left and right strut?

 

Hmm, interesting. The Advance Auto ones of mine were exactly the same. You don't suppose the hood weighs more on one side than the other?

 

Thats statement, don't you think?

 

I've pulled many of them off from the ball joint... Just turn it to the side until you can see a LOT of the ball, and push hard. Put some gloves on or something so you don't bust your knuckles though However, you can just unbolt them too... but what fun is that?!

 

The hood supports are not symetrical along the front to back centerline of the hood, therefore possibly adjusting weight on each side.

 

I bought a pair of struts and after spendining some time trying to take the old ones off i headed down to a local mechanic and he used a cutting torch. well worth the $.

HoldTight...

 

Thanks everybody! I bought mine at Checker Auto Parts, and it cost either $28 or $38, I forgot, so if you have an Advance Auto Parts ($21), go there instead.

 

i did mine yesterday i used a 12mm wrench to take it off the car then with a fishing hook i exposed the small ring keeping the socket in place and then i just pushed up the ring and the ball came out.. Pretty easy once you get the hang of it

 

i just use vice grips to keep the hood open

 

lol thats what i do.

 

hahaha awesome

saves me $45