Hood strut replacement
04-26-10, 12:56 PM
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
Hood strut replacement
99 GS400, 97Kmi. I finally got tired of having the engine hood hit me on the head when I hang a trouble light to work on the car. So I've ordered new hood struts from Lexus, and I'm hoping someone can describe how to replace them. Any tricks or gotchas? Thanks.
04-28-10, 06:07 AM
#3
Driver
Thread Starter
Replaced the hood struts last night. Easiest replacement I've done on my GS400. And what a difference. Hood goes up on its own again.
A couple tips if you're doing this replacement.
1) Put a 2x4 or broomstick, or something to hold the hood up when you take out the old ones or you'll get bopped on the head and end up working one handed.
2)Don't try to get the old struts off the ball pivots. It's very interesting.. the new mounts snap in to the struts with almost no effort. But I tried as hard as I could to get them back out and couldnt do it. Make sure you order the version of the struts that comes with the mounts.
3)Its a little faster if you screw the mounts in to the car first and then snap the strut onto the mounts, but it will work either way.
4)10mm wrench is all you need for the job.
A couple tips if you're doing this replacement.
1) Put a 2x4 or broomstick, or something to hold the hood up when you take out the old ones or you'll get bopped on the head and end up working one handed.
2)Don't try to get the old struts off the ball pivots. It's very interesting.. the new mounts snap in to the struts with almost no effort. But I tried as hard as I could to get them back out and couldnt do it. Make sure you order the version of the struts that comes with the mounts.
3)Its a little faster if you screw the mounts in to the car first and then snap the strut onto the mounts, but it will work either way.
4)10mm wrench is all you need for the job.
05-28-11, 09:06 AM
#4
Lexus Test Driver
Did mine this morning, very easy but did have to send one of the struts back because it did not come with the mounting hardware (ball screw) This is a common issue I guess as stated in Amazon review
StrongArm 4536 Lexus GS300 Hood Lift Support 1998-04, Pack of 2
I also called the number on the Company web site and they promised to send out the mounting hardware as well. I got my replacement from Amazon faster.
No bulging of the hood from what I can tell, although these are twice as loud as the OEM ones. For the price I'm not in any type of regret. these were only $19 each!
OEM non removable Ball mount w/110K miles
New Strong Arm
No Hood Issues
Car is dirty sorry.
StrongArm 4536 Lexus GS300 Hood Lift Support 1998-04, Pack of 2
I also called the number on the Company web site and they promised to send out the mounting hardware as well. I got my replacement from Amazon faster.
No bulging of the hood from what I can tell, although these are twice as loud as the OEM ones. For the price I'm not in any type of regret. these were only $19 each!
OEM non removable Ball mount w/110K miles
New Strong Arm
No Hood Issues
Car is dirty sorry.
Last edited by alexulan; 05-28-11 at 09:13 AM.
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05-31-11, 03:45 PM
#8
Another Strong Arm user here. No complains. It's noisy at first but I find that it quiets down a little after you've opened and closed it so many times. Chance are if you're opening up the hood to work on your car, the noise won't bother you. I use to have the hood fall on my head, but no more.
12-18-11, 01:53 PM
#9
Driver School Candidate
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Just a note:
While I needed a 12mm to get the OEM parts off, the new Strong Arm requires a 7/16th.
Glad I've got two shiny new tools and a hood that stays open! Now on to more important fixes...
While I needed a 12mm to get the OEM parts off, the new Strong Arm requires a 7/16th.
Glad I've got two shiny new tools and a hood that stays open! Now on to more important fixes...
12-19-11, 10:13 AM
#10
for future reference, IF anyone replaces there BLOWN hood shocks i need/want them for my CF hood
PM me if anyone has some BLOWN ones or if anyone reading this thread replaces their BLOWN ones and wants to make some $ back for their OEM ones
seriously they need to be blown as the OEM ones will do damage to the CF hood as their just to strong for them
PM me if anyone has some BLOWN ones or if anyone reading this thread replaces their BLOWN ones and wants to make some $ back for their OEM ones
seriously they need to be blown as the OEM ones will do damage to the CF hood as their just to strong for them
12-20-11, 07:06 AM
#11
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^^I'll send you mine when I replace them, I definitely got hit in the head trying to show my buddy how clean my 100k mile GE was in comparison to my 40k km GTE.
