Hood gas supports for 1999 Q45t

[ZMARKUS]

Where can I get the correct size for my vehicle without resorting to dealer. I ordered a pair from ebay for my type of vehicle and they were to long. I ordered a pair from auto zone and they were to long. Who has the correct aftermarket size?

[Q45tech]

Not only does size matter [in this case] but the correct internal spring and shock stiffness since hood weight varies from model to model.

You chose a furrin car so you get to pay the Yen cost which by the way has increased 15-20% from last year very recently. I can't wait until Infiniti reprices parts again.

[maxnix]

Strong Arm #46317

AVM, Inc.P.O. Box 729Highway 76 EastMarion, SC 29571

I am spending every last sinking spare dollar on synthetic lubricants, parts, tires, and old world wines.

[RAP]

Hood support is a sore point with me also. I am reasonably sure that the hood on my 2000 was not opened excessively as the former owner had any work done at shops and I have all the records. Yet those two supports don't hold when cold. They will hold when hot but kinda risky to stick ones head under there without some additional support such as a broom stick or something to hold. That hood is heavy and comes down fast when it does.

The supports in my '95 Acura are original and are still holding well today. The hoods are about the same in size and weight. I compared shock sizes but they are not the same.

Seems like those Nissan hood shocks should do better on a car like the Q45

I found some on the net for 109.00 each. I didn't buy. Don't know what dealer price is but probably at least 200 each.

In this case OEM my azz. I'll just use a stick to hold up the hood. Whenever I feel like tinkering I'll make a fold down device to hold up the hood.

Jack

[maxnix]

Sticks fail. BullitAndy turned me on to these and at less than 1/3 the price of OEM from Joe, they are doing fine the last coiuple of weeks. Even if they should fail after 3 years, I am still ahead.

People have broken wrists and fingers when hoods fall.
Modified by maxnix at 4:59 AM 3/19/2008

[NightRiderQ45]

Strong Arm #46317

AVM, Inc.P.O. Box 729Highway 76 EastMarion, SC 29571

I am spending every last sinking spare dollar on synthetic lubricants, parts, tires, and old world wines.

What's the price, what's the number of contact, what's the website? Thanks.

[NightRiderQ45]

In this case OEM my azz. I'll just use a stick to hold up the hood. Whenever I feel like tinkering I'll make a fold down device to hold up the hood.

Jack

I'm having the same issue with my Q! It barely holds in cold weather and it's ok in warm weather. The last time I changed my oil is when I noticed the problem...after the damn hood fell on my head ! Lucky for me that I'm tall and the hood didn't gather enough velocity to actually hurt me.

So what I've done to fix the problem is that I purchased a set of grip pliers and I use the smaller one to lock right beneath the actual shock so that it doesn't go anywhere!! Cost me $5.00 and works as good as new !

Off subject, but I had my radiator flushed last week with the BG system and man was that a great investment! My original fluid was kinda old and since adding the new fluid, my car is running a lot cooler. I've noticed the temp. gauge needle sits more to the left of the symbol in the middle! Next task.... flushing my AFT with Mobil 1 this weekend. Damn those 16 qts were expensive but should be worth it .

[maxnix]

What's the price, what's the number of contact, what's the website? Thanks.

BA got them off eBAy and kindly sold me an extra set.

[ZMARKUS]

Strong Arm #46317

AVM, Inc.P.O. Box 729Highway 76 EastMarion, SC 29571

I am spending every last sinking spare dollar on synthetic lubricants, parts, tires, and old world wines.

So these strong arm brands are the correct universal lifts for my Q. Are these the type you have on your 2000 Q45, because if so I know these will fit mine. Could you elaborate on the information regarding the store .

[ZMARKUS]

Forgot to mention my hood is now out of line because a Valvoline shop put the last hood struts on and thats when I realized they were the wrong size. The hood was lifted a bit higher than it should and now it slightly catches the fender on each side as it is opened and closed. My body shop is going to order supports from Infiniti dealership whenever I give the green light at a discount bringing them to 100 each. I'm still trying to find a pair of universals that fit before I go there to. They're also going to correct the hood but they don't know if it will be a simple task or more. I think the Valvoline shop should pay for correcting hood. What really got me is when the manager of the shop tried to say the hood came in that way .

[maxnix]

So these strong arm brands are the correct universal lifts for my Q.

No, that number is specific to the the FGY33.

[RAP]

Quote from above: "So what I've done to fix the problem is that I purchased a set of grip pliers and I use the smaller one to lock right beneath the actual shock so that it doesn't go anywhere!! Cost me $5.00 and works as good as new".

That's a good idea. I am not into doing something like that though because it seems destructive and that not what I like to do with my car. Although if the struts fail then they are really not worth much either.

I also wish to re-emphasize that the HOOD WILL FALL FAST AND HARD when if it does. Buyer beware.I almost got caught,, unexpectedly when I first got the car. Got my attention!

Jack

[oldmako]

Hood struts ALL fail eventually. Every old auto I've ever owned had the same problem. I use the "one off custom broom handle" technique. Yes, it's bogus, tacky (like I care) and won't pass muster at a low rider show, but there is ample cash left over to purchase various spirits, ales, and barley pops which make going under the hood more enjoyable. I figure that I'm coming out ahead.

The struts on my 99 are fine, MOST of the time. But when it's cold, or windy, I have seen that mother drop like a guillotine. My noggin certainly does not contain much, but I value it nonetheless.

[maxnix]

"So what I've done to fix the problem is that I purchased a set of grip pliers and I use the smaller one to lock right beneath the actual shock so that it doesn't go anywhere!! Cost me $5.00 and works as good as new".

I am not into doing something like that though because it seems destructive and that not what I like to do with my car.

I also wish to re-emphasize that the HOOD WILL FALL FAST AND HARD when if it does.

Why this is inherently unsafe! One crushed bone will show the victim why.

The teeth on the pliers destroy any gas seal around the rod, so catastrophic failure is assured.

Same for one stick when it moves unexpectedly.
Modified by maxnix at 4:49 PM 3/19/2008

[oldmako]

Why this is inherently unsafe! One crushed bone will show the victim why.

The teeth on the pliers destroy any gas seal around the rod, so catastrophical failure is assured.



Same for one stick when it moves unexpectedly.

The seal is already worthless and the "catastrophical" failure has already occurred. The stick can easily be engineered so that it stays put. Jeez, give the guy some credit. We're not all morons.

[Skibane]

Several years ago, there was a plastic adapter for sale in the aftermarket that attached to your existing gas support - You cut it to length, and it made the support latchable in the open position. Haven't seen it for sale anywhere recently.

If you wanted to get fancy, you could drill a hole in the inner rods immediately below the cylinders (i.e., so that the holes are just barely exposed when the cylinders are fully extended), and insert drawbar pins into the holes to keep the hood open. Use beaded chain or thin wire cable to tether the drawbar pins so you don't lose them when the hood is closed. Shouldn't cost more than 10 bucks and a trip to Tractor Supply...

[maxnix]

The stick can easily be engineered so that it stays put. Jeez, give the guy some credit. We're not all morons.

You have to excuse the fact that I am not so perfect as you. I have knocked such supports out many times, even when metal rods engineered for the car's hood have a slot into which to anchor. Just have a higher regard for my bones than a couple hundred dollars.

Funny those dumb engineers never designed a wood pole fto support the hood. The accountants would love it, the attorneys would tremble for potential liability.

"Member's standards vary." - Q45tech

[oldmako]

Bummer,

I was hoping for a or a or at least a .

[RAP]

The seal is already worthless and the "catastrophical" failure has already occurred. The stick can easily be engineered so that it stays put. Jeez, give the guy some credit. We're not all morons.

Well actually I use a piece of aluminum tent pole about three feet long about 9/16 " diameter. One end is compressed and fits perfectly into a hole in the radiator support frame 3/8",and the top end fits into a 3/4" hole in the hood directly up above. Totally safe and can't slip. Mention of a "stick" is a generic term but is what most folks can find around their property. I have a junk yard and no shortage of temporary strut devices around here.

Then one can always use a sky hook to hold the hood up. They're everywhere and readily available. Just look up. Be careful of hangman nooses as a substitute though since they are in dis-favor at present

Yeah, I guess the "mox nix" guy considers all others as sub-human species without any brain power. Maybe his mommy must have beat his azz up when he was a kidd ? ? ?

Oh well...

Jack

[ARRANGER]

When the hood struts on my 99Q45t weakened, I measured their fully extended length, purchased two struts of equal size and of average pound lift from NAPA, cut the old struts off their brackets, and snapped on the new ones. They have worked great for the last two years. Best of luck to you.

[oldmako]

Good for you! There's almost always a second way to skin the proverbial cat, and if you can save some serious ching then why the hell not? Put the cash saved towards a part that needs to be OEM.

If your NAPA strut, or reverse engineered tent pole securely holds the hood up, then I'd say that you've succeeded.

[NightRiderQ45]

The seal is already worthless and the "catastrophical" failure has already occurred. The stick can easily be engineered so that it stays put. Jeez, give the guy some credit. We're not all morons.

Exactly!! The seal is already gone. Mine hood supports works most of the time but when I change my oil I lock in the pliers. Plus if you lock the pliers on the actual metal below the support, THE HOOD WILL NOT FALL!

If your NAPA strut, or reverse engineered tent pole securely holds the hood up, then I'd say that you've succeeded.

True, true, true, the plier deal cost me $5 and my hood stays up for the length of time needed.

[jbuckel]

Hey Maxnix -

Can you give me a contact name and phone number for the hood shocks?

Thanks,John

[Q45tech]

The things that makes techs so mad is a repeat car with defective hood supports, after they have noted the need for repair previously and the customer refuses.

I often suggest an extra safety insurance fee should be leveed to punish owners for risking the life of technicans.Or that the customer should be made to hold the hood up during the entire repair process.

[maxnix]

Hey Maxnix -

Can you give me a contact name and phone number for the hood shocks?

Thanks,John

Not really as Bullitandy had the extra pair he sold me. He purchased his off eBay.

Try a Froogle search or some other pricesearch engines.

The Stabilus struts are modular so should be configurable for the FGY33 hood. Did not recieve meaningful help form them. If I had wanted a 1,000, it might have been different. Strong Arm still going strong.

[Skibane]

According to their Website, AVM Industries sells to Autozone, Advance Auto Parts, Ozark Oreilly, Carquest, Federated, JC Whitney, CSK Auto, etc.

According to the lookup section on their website, the correct P/N for the StrongArm part on Y33 vehicles is 6317.

[RAP]

This "struttin' thread has assumed a life of it's own hmmm. Kinda like the Sienfeld TV show "all about nothing".Man I miss that show as t'was the highlite of the week.

Well anyway it's Easter Sunday and the rabbit might just bring some struts to aid the strutless? Neve kno bout dem tings huh.

Jack

[bullittandy]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...23594

follow the link.......

[bullittandy]

Well anyway it's Easter Sunday and the rabbit might just bring some struts to aid the strutless? Neve kno bout dem tings huh.

Jack

Since its Easter, I'm planning on my struts to resurrect themselves.

[ZMARKUS]

When the hood struts on my 99Q45t weakened, I measured their fully extended length, purchased two struts of equal size and of average pound lift from NAPA, cut the old struts off their brackets, and snapped on the new ones. They have worked great for the last two years. Best of luck to you.

"GENIUS"