Hood strut replacement question...

[mgokool]

Hi all, after several days of searching and coming up empty, does anyone know if there are aftermarket struts that hold up the hood available?

I know the OEM are made by "Stabilus" and the OEM part# is: 65470EG000but it's like $130 each!!!

Anyone replaced theirs yet? Any other options?

[diym45]

do you have a napa auto parts store near your? they have quite a few sizes, you could just take yours in and match it.

[Moose54]

I just ordered the StrongArm 4041 from Amazon for $15 each and it seems to be a good fit. Not perfect, but it does the job on my '06 M35 Sport and saved me a couple hundred dollars vs. OEM.

[szh]

I just bought trunk struts from SPD Hardware (at www.spdhardware.com) for $15 each. They probably sell similar parts for the hood strut too, but you would need to figure out the exact compression and stroke and strength numbers ... probably in the Service Manual somewhere (see link in my sig).

Z

[TDot]

exactly which strut did you get from spd? Do they have enough pressure to lift the trunk all the way, half way, or just pop like the oem?

[szh]

exactly which strut did you get from spd? Do they have enough pressure to lift the trunk all the way, half way, or just pop like the oem?

From this page: http://www.spdhardware.com/catalog/GSNI ... s%20Spring, I got the GSNI-5150-80 ... price is $15.84 each (I was wrong in my first post above), but this is way less than even the OEM ones, with discounted prices, of over $100 each from http://www.everythinginfiniti.com.

This should be the right dimension (15" extended, 9" compressed, 6" stroke, 80 lbs) for the trunk struts for a Y34 (2003 and 2004 M45).

I have not received them yet, so don't yet know how well they will fit or perform for my 2003 M45 (Y34). According to previous posts in this forum, this should be correct though, but I gotta wait and see.

My guesstimate is that the 80lb pressure will do more than unlatch and pop the trunk - these should open the trunk quite a ways and maybe even all the way in warm weather, but this is a guess so far. According to the previous poster who used them, they fit well but did not open all the way in cold weather (which is the bane of hood and trunk struts).

Z

[atlM35]

Wow, old post.
I'm glad to see chapter alternatives to rip off dealership prices m45-hood-support-where-to-buy-t567460.html

[gms]

Just replaced mine with these "universal" struts from NAPA. Cost $28 ea. with after a AAA discount.

http://napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogIt ... 0361212792

Part Number: BK 8195586
Product Line: Balkamp
Attributes:
End Fitting Type : 10 mm Plastic Square Head (Type A)
Lbs of Force : 90 lbs
Lift Support Compressed Length : 8.5"
Lift Support extended Length : 12"
Stroke : 3.5"

[TDot]

How do yours open?

[gms]

As I said, I tried the NAPA 40lb stuts but they weren't strong enough. They had a 60lb & a 90lb in my size so I went with the 90's. Once I unlatch the hood and give in a slight lift, it pretty much opens itself. Not fast though. A nice controlled motion. Very solid when fully open. No worries about the hood crashing down.

[TDot]

OK, so 90lbs you still have to touch is for it to open. I wish it just opened by itself. How easy is it to replace, can you provide a quick tutorial?
I wish it would come in 100-105lbs.

[gms]

Took 5 minutes.
- Prop open the hood.
- Remove old strut. Each end has a clip that holds the socket onto the ball that's bolted to the hood/frame. The clips have a slot. Pry them open slightly with a small screw driver to release the strut from the ball at each end.
- Install new strut. Pry open the clip until the ball slips into the socket. Make sure the clip is snapped back in to secure the strut to the car.
Here's a video I watched before trying it myself...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW0s4pn0DxM

[thomasm35]

I replaced both dampers the other day and found it a 10 minute job. The challenge is finding the right dampers. The OEM are made by Stabilus and are rated at 340 Newtons which is about 76 lbs. I found Pep Boys,a auto chain store in the LA area,carried Stabilus dampers but had nothing listed for a 2007 M35. I asked if I could look at their inventory and see if I could find one that would do the job on the M35. Well, I found one that would fit, it is rated at 355 Newtons (79.6 lbs)and fits perfectly. It is smaller in diameter than the OE, but works and fits perfectly.

The product # is SG414051 at Pep Boys and sells for $26.

[SdotSdotS]

I replaced both dampers the other day and found it a 10 minute job. The challenge is finding the right dampers. The OEM are made by Stabilus and are rated at 340 Newtons which is about 76 lbs. I found Pep Boys,a auto chain store in the LA area,carried Stabilus dampers but had nothing listed for a 2007 M35. I asked if I could look at their inventory and see if I could find one that would do the job on the M35. Well, I found one that would fit, it is rated at 355 Newtons (79.6 lbs)and fits perfectly. It is smaller in diameter than the OE, but works and fits perfectly.

The product # is SG414051 at Pep Boys and sells for $26.

FYI this is the hood strut set for the 06-10 Dodge Charger and 05-08 Chrysler 300

[thomasm35]

Thanks! Hopefully this helps others find the part.

[SdotSdotS]

100 lb hood struts (StrongArm 4042)
http://www.amazon.com/StrongArm-4042-Un ... ngarm+4042
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKYse6-JtcA[/youtube]


110lb hood struts (StrongArm 4513)
http://www.amazon.com/StrongArm-4513-Un ... ngarm+4513
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUE71XgBFmo[/youtube]

... You're Welcome TDot

[JoshTex]

Just as added info Advance Discount Auto carries the Strongarm units as well. Their part number is E4513 for the 110lb struts or E4042 for the 100lb struts.