I got close to two years out of the aftermarket arm strong lift supports part #5424 from advance auto parts. Is this about average for everybody? They have a lifetime warranty so its not that big of a deal.

 

It is interesting you mention this because today my hood fell down on top of my head while I was working on the car. I replaced my OEM hood struts around a year ago (actually ~10 months) and am VERY dissapointed that the new ones (strong arm) are starting to get weak. Oh well at least the parts are inexpensive.

 

I guess I was lucky getting 1 yr and 10 months out of them. Good thing they are only $15 each compared to $60-70 for nissan ones. Also at least they are lifetime warranty.

 

My stock ones are dead. Dad was pretty ****ed about how crappy the stock ones are. My family has 90, 93, 97, and 2k Maximas and all but the 2k have dead struts. The good thing is, they're only $30 for aftermarkets...the bad thing is, they're still struts that will eventually die.

So my dad's looking at my hood and probably gonna make a traditional hood rod for me...or he was thinking about rigging up some heavy duty springs. heehee.
Jae

 

Hey, when you make the custom hood rod, could you post details about how it was done? I would love to make a rod to prop up my hood. Sick of replacing the struts.

Oh, I remember how everyone complained that the new Camry and the IS300 have hood rods. They said "it's to cheap." I think its more like Toyota is so smart. Hood rods never fail, hence the hoods will never collapse on peoples heads. I would LOVE it my Maxima had a hood rod.

 

how old were the stock ones when you had to replace them? My car is a 97 and hold up the hood just fine.

 

I have a '96 and my struts are still working, altho they squeak once in a while when the hood comes down. Maybe a sign of much needed replacement?

 

94 Camry OE struts lasted til about 2 years ago,
replaced with advance auto parts ones.
they failed last month replaced under warranty free.