MaXiMaFrEaK03

This is probably a retarded question ... but I bought new Hood struts for my hood, because the stocks ones suck. I bought replacements ... took off the old ones ... and can't get the screws out of the end of the struts. I was wondering if they are supposed to stay in there and I need to buy new ones for the replacements I bought?

And the ones i bought did not come with any screws... it says to use the existing hardware. I would use the existing hardware if I could get it out.

Now someone tell me if I am retarded and it's really easy, or where to buy new ones. I tried Kragen and Autozone ... and they supposedly don't carry them.

Thanks In advance.

Neif

I haven't tried this, but is it possible to loosen the screws from the stock struts while they're connected to the hood, still? Maybe you need to break it loose while it still has the resistance from being attached to the hood.

MaXiMaFrEaK03

Bump! ... I still have no idea how to get the existing hardware out of the old hood struts. This is driving me to madness. Sad thing it's probably something really easy.

arrrghhh

iTrader: (2)

i don't remember taking out screws, just popping off the cover on the side by the engine bay, and popping the strut out. i could be wrong, i haven't done it in a long time

dko683

the ones i bought already came with replacement screws. i bought it in autozone "strong arm 4524" i think. you should replace the ones you got for them.

Curt Deiner

iTrader: (1)

There should be a clip on the end of the strut that captures the ball end that's screwed into the hood. You'd have to pry the clip off. Do the new struts have a clip in them?

arrrghhh

iTrader: (2)

yea what he said.

notenufsleep

u should just use vicegrips =D

DR-Max

iTrader: (3)

You do not need to disconnect the ball from the strut! All you do is use an open ended wrench and unscrew the ball from the hood and fender. The new struts should come with its own ball. If yours didn't come with them, return those. Go to Pep Boys and get their replacement struts. They have a lifetime warranty.

IlyaK

iTrader: (47)

I replaced mine with ones from Advanced Auto (probably similiar to AutoZone) and they are already going bad. I'm probably going to go to Nissan and get factory ones...if they aren't to expensive of course.

arrrghhh

iTrader: (2)

i'm sick of replacing them... i just wanna put a hood prop like all other cars... of course this has been mentioned in other threads, i don't mean to beat a dead horse, but damn these struts are ridiculous. i bought some from nissan and they were dead in 6 months. sometimes they work when the motor is warm, but the hood drops if it's open for more than 5 mins. ugh.

DR-Max

iTrader: (3)

Very cold temps tend to do that with any hood struts....watch your head!

MaXiMaFrEaK03

I went into Kragen and asked if they had any hood struts. He continued to ask me what make and model I had, or course I dignified him with a 96 Max GLE for the answer. He goes in the back and grabs some ones that cost 28.99 a piece. These new ones have a clip you can pull out and put the old hardware in. In my case this will not help. I am going to go Kragen tomorrow and get my money back and get ones from Pep Boys or Autozone. Or should I just put my old ones back in and forget about replacing them since they eventually just go bad anyways?

BK1

iTrader: (2)

I got the Strongarm brand. I think it's the only one, just use an open ended wrench and remove it. It should come with new hardware.

Armelius

Mine are dead (strongarm) after about a year. Still under warranty.

BK1

iTrader: (2)

I'll just keep buying them as I need them. It's just a PITA to have to hold the hood with one arm or go run and find a baseball bat or vice grips when all you wanna do is add some windshied washer fluid. I bought a set for my ford probe and they lasted a good 5 years.

Ridge Runner

My OEM pair just started to give up after 8 years. I'll probably replace them with an aftermarket set.

BEJAY1

iTrader: (19)

Just throwing this out here for anybody searcing. Check your packaging carefully for parts. The first #4524 I opened had no hardware, just the strut. I then spent 30min with my Dremel cutting off the ball sockets holding the bolts on. That allowed me to snap the new strut right in.

I then opened the 2nd package to find 2 new ball socket bolts & washers. Rip & replace, no Dremel needed.

Juicey

The hood supports generally cost between $20-$40 for most maximas. I just replaced them on my 98 and on my wives 93. For the 98 I had new screws but for the 93 you use the exsisting hardware. There should be a clip or something to release the ball end of the screw from the old support.

Make sure once you have them installed that your hood closes correctly. Meaning look carefully at how the hood lies when it fully closed. The right support on my wives hood is funky and I just noticed it because it causes a large gap between the fender and the hood.

Strong Arm is definately the best. I bought them from Advanced Auto. I would most definately go with the Pep Boys supports as they sound more like what you need and they cost about what the supports should cost.

v_c@yahoo.com

If you're getting hood struts from the local auto store, keep the receipt. You'll be taking them up on their lifetime warranty almost every year. I do.

Pugsy

The struts from the dealer will run you almost $90/each. The struts that I got from AutoZone were around $20/each. I recently replaced the set that had come from AutoZone and they lasted about 3 years.

chillin014

iTrader: (67)

lets just keep reviving this over 2 month old thread about hood struts.

cbw77

I just use a short broom stick to hold my hood up...now that is reliability.

SRSEN1999

I never change things that I know nothing about, I always went to the dealer. Even thought it's a bit expensive, at least there's no pain.

pking0218

Just have to throw my 2 cents in.

1. I would not use a broom handle, 2x4 or anything like that. I think its too likely that it could slip and the hood fall down. A pair of vice grips on one of the strut rods is fine though.

2. I recently bought a pair of mighty-lift struts from auto-zone for my 95 max. Brand new they couldn't even hold up the hood. If I lifted the hood and held it for a second or two, it would stay (barely), but then if I bumped the car just a little, the hood would slowly start coming down. I took them back. I would not buy the cheap struts.

chillin014

iTrader: (67)

Your like 9 months behind bro, with your..... very original ideas and advice.
Where do you noobs fine these old *** threads...seriously.

pking0218

Does anyone know how good or bad Stabilus hood struts are? I have a 1995 maxima I am interested in using them on. I tried the ones from autozone and they couldn't hold up the hood.

Thanks

pking0218

Yeah I know they are old posts, I found them searching for anything on hood struts. All I saw were the ideas like "use a 2x4", ... buy the cheap ones, etc ... I didn't see any posts about why these might not be such good ideas. That doesn't mean they weren't there somewhere, but I didn't see them. I figured if I found them searching, other people might too, even thought they're old. So like I said, I just figured I'd add my 2 cents.

natty99

iTrader: (6)

or if you're really gung ho and can be extravagant with your money, get tein hood dampers....they don't make them spefically for our cars, but I'm sure they can be modified to fit. But yeah, it's only a tad bit overboard

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

I am going to return my Advanced Auto ones. The won't hold the hood open for more than 10 minutes. They are brand new. Its been about 1-2weeks. I hate them. OEM is the only way to go IMO.

cpt

iTrader: (1)

Bought some off e-bay 2 weeks ago, seem to be working fine. I had to hack saw the old ends off to use reuse the ends that screw in the hood. Just carefully worked around the ball till it poped off.