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Hood Struts Missing???

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Old Oct 9, 2006 | 02:56 PM
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Default Hood Struts Missing???

I have an 88 Coupe (Anniversary - not that it matters here), and it has only one "strut" that holds the hood open (you know, the big long one with the orange thingy you push to the side to let it back down).

I have noticed however that there are 4 "pins" just near the hinge of the clamshell. They appear to accept some type of gas strut. Should they have 2 struts on them? My hood is quite heavy with just the one long strut and it does not "pop up" when I release the hood latch. Are these some type of lift assist struts that are simpy missing off my car?

Thanx,
Jim
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Old Oct 9, 2006 | 03:34 PM
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It's only supposed to have 1. It's not supposed to pop up, you have to lift it.
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Old Oct 9, 2006 | 04:07 PM
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So these mount points serve no purpose?
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Old Oct 9, 2006 | 04:19 PM
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Originally Posted by AnniversaryJim
So these mount points serve no purpose?
As far as I know. Maybe they served a purpose at the factory.
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Old Oct 9, 2006 | 04:28 PM
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I have the two small gas stuts on my 87 hood. In fact I just replaced both of them ($15.00 each) with NAPA parts. They are just inside the headlights on each side. I thought all the clam shell hoods had them, but I could be wrong on that part.

Here's a pic of the one on the drivers side.

Last edited by CREWZIN; Oct 9, 2006 at 04:35 PM.
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Old Oct 9, 2006 | 04:29 PM
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Originally Posted by 90Z51
It's only supposed to have 1. It's not supposed to pop up, you have to lift it.
These exist even on the C4s that didn't get the strut (like my 1985). Seems the General was going cheap here...

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Old Oct 9, 2006 | 04:38 PM
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Originally Posted by CREWZIN
I have the two small gas stuts on my 87 hood. In fact I just replaced both of them ($15.00 each) with NAPA parts. They are just inside the headlights on each side. I thought all the clam shell hoods had them, but I could be wrong on that part.

Here's a pic of the one on the drivers side.
That's them exactly. So would it be a problem to have all three (the two you have, and the one long strut that I already have)?

I'm no weakling, but lifting that hood while I'm still pulling on the release handle is a pain in the butt. I've been told that the hood should "pop up a bit" before you raise it to full extend.

Jim
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Old Oct 9, 2006 | 04:40 PM
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Originally Posted by AnniversaryJim
My hood is quite heavy and it does not "pop up" when I release the hood latch.
While you do have to lift the hood manually, it should "pop" up about 2 inches when you release it. This is accomplished by the springs on the latch catches.

Larry
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Old Oct 9, 2006 | 04:42 PM
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Maybe I just need to lube/adjust the springs.

Jim
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Old Oct 9, 2006 | 04:44 PM
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You might want to lube the latches a little it seems to help it pop up. I just pull the lever and close the door before picking the hood up.
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Old Oct 9, 2006 | 04:49 PM
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I upgraded my long big strut to the gas charged replacement and I couldn't believe the difference. When I pull the lever the hood pops up about an inch, just enough to grap hold. As soon as you start to lift, the gas charged strut takes over and with the help of the two smaller ones, the hood pratically lifts itself...in fact I have to stop it from going all the way up by itself as it slams into the stops when reaching the vertical limits.
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Old Oct 9, 2006 | 05:18 PM
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Originally Posted by CREWZIN
I upgraded my long big strut to the gas charged replacement and I couldn't believe the difference. When I pull the lever the hood pops up about an inch, just enough to grap hold. As soon as you start to lift, the gas charged strut takes over and with the help of the two smaller ones, the hood pratically lifts itself...in fact I have to stop it from going all the way up by itself as it slams into the stops when reaching the vertical limits.
So you do have all three. I saw the short struts on eBay, but if I can get them at my local NAPA counter, I think that's better.

Would you happen to have the NAPA part number or anything?

I'll have to get some clips, as there are only 2 on the 4 pins. The others must have dropped off.

Thanx,
Jim
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Old Oct 9, 2006 | 05:29 PM
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I had my hood open at a local car show, this guy came up to my car and told me I was missing the little hood struts on my 1990 Coupe. He started a big debate with another guy who told me there was nothing missing from my car.
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Old Oct 9, 2006 | 06:48 PM
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Originally Posted by AnniversaryJim

Would you happen to have the NAPA part number or anything?

Thanx,
Jim

NAPA Part number 819-5311.
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Old Oct 9, 2006 | 08:07 PM
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Thanx, I'll order them up in the morning.

Jim
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Old Oct 9, 2006 | 09:13 PM
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Originally Posted by CREWZIN
I have the two small gas stuts on my 87 hood. In fact I just replaced both of them ($15.00 each) with NAPA parts. They are just inside the headlights on each side. I thought all the clam shell hoods had them, but I could be wrong on that part.

What differences did ya notice with the new Napa struts and what are the p/n's?
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Old Oct 9, 2006 | 10:06 PM
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Originally Posted by CREWZIN
I have the two small gas stuts on my 87 hood. In fact I just replaced both of them ($15.00 each) with NAPA parts. They are just inside the headlights on each side. I thought all the clam shell hoods had them, but I could be wrong on that part.

Here's a pic of the one on the drivers side.
I have all three struts on my `87. It does not pop up when I release the hood either
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To Hood Struts Missing???

Old Oct 9, 2006 | 10:33 PM
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Originally Posted by CREWZIN
I upgraded my long big strut to the gas charged replacement and I couldn't believe the difference. When I pull the lever the hood pops up about an inch, just enough to grap hold. As soon as you start to lift, the gas charged strut takes over and with the help of the two smaller ones, the hood pratically lifts itself...in fact I have to stop it from going all the way up by itself as it slams into the stops when reaching the vertical limits.


I just had a look at the Napaonline site and did a search on the Napa p/n 819-5311 and found nothing.

So I tried without the hyphen, 8195311, and found "Hood Lift Support, Attributes:Compressed Length:4.93" Extended length:6.38"

Sounds great so far, so what about the long gas-charged strut that ya are talking about? P/N and from where??
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Old Oct 9, 2006 | 11:07 PM
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I have an 88 also with only one of the "small lift supports". Also, my hood does not "Pop" then the release lever is pulled. Normal?
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Old Oct 10, 2006 | 11:07 AM
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Ordered struts from NAPA this morning. Best price I could get was $18.95. Must be California.

Jim
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