How are Hood Support Strut issues diagnosed?
Anyone can diagnose these struts without any prior knowledge of how the part functions. All that is needed to know is that they hold the hood up securely. When they fail to keep the hood up unless it is pulled down to the closed position, it is time to replace them. Also, if the hood support struts are able to rattle against their mounting points, they will likely need replacement due to this condition. This will prevent wear from allowing the strut to separate from the mounting point.
How are Hood Support Struts replaced?
For nearly all hood support struts the replacement procedure is the same, and takes less than one minute. Some will require the removal of a fastener of some type, but most require the removal of a flat spring which is curved around the assembly. The flat spring will be located on the ball at the end of the strut, and using a screwdriver or pick, the spring can be gently pulled back, which causes it to release the circular mounting point inside the ball. Once done, the strut pulls off, so ensure the hood has secondary support already in place. A broom handle does a very nice job of this at home. The new strut will pop right on without pulling the spring back, and the other end must be replaced in the same way. Ensure they are replaced as a set.
RepairPal Recommendations for Hood Support Strut issues
Never replace only one support strut, unless it was physically damaged by an external force. When one fails, the other must do every bit of the work for both, so replacing one will cause undue stress on the new one. The old, worn out strut will fail more quickly, and the new strut will wear twice as fast. This will lead to early replacement of three struts instead of two.
What to look out for when dealing with Hood Support Strut issues
When the hood support struts are worn out, no one should work under the hood without a secondary support. Especially if the existing hood support struts can be made to stay in the opened position after a few tries, as this can lead to the belief that the hood will not crash down. The slightest wind or jarring of the vehicle can cause the hood to swing down violently. The use of a prop rod, like a strong piece of wood or a broom handle, is necessary if there is servicing being conducted. Also, there should be someone there to hold the hood just in case. The weight of the hood is very much heavier than it seems with working support rods.