RocketmAAn

Vise grips on a strut that is not going to be replaced is unadvisable. Scratches will start to wear out the seal.

cndnate

If the strut is blown already then so what?

If that worried you can wrap a cloth on the piston before clamping it

BobN54

I replaced my hood struts with Strongarm #4566; $19.14 each from Amazon, with free shipping since I have Prime. The strength seems to be perfect. No way is the hood going to bend.

Now, if there was just an aftermarket replacement for the trunk struts...

SpencerT

Strongarm makes trunk supports for us too

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-REAR-TRUNK...item256fbd34fb

not sure if thats strongarm though. but i know i saw them when I got my hood supports

ls400geek

I bought a pair of complete hood shocks for $37 shipped off ebay from partsavenue--they work really well.. Just unbolted the old ones, threw them away and bolted on the new ones (really fast). Stiff to close, opens itself with a slight push upwards. Within 1/2 cm the length of the stock ones which seems to be working fine.

J053Ph

Just ordered the strongman hood lifts from ebay today.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/370766258582...84.m1497.l2649

Will definitely post a quick review when I receive the hood lifts.

j e f f

Just received the Strongarm 4566's for my 97 LS.
#12 open end spanner to remove the old Tokicos(one is actually pouring oil every time it closes).
#11 to replace with the new mounts.
Took less than 10 minutes per side and now I can get rid of the pvc pipe I've been using as a hood prop!

Jasbmo

I just picked up these hood struts from Amazon for my '98:

"LEXUS LS400 1998 1999 2000 Front Hood Gas Lift Supports, Struts, Shocks, Dampers, Qty (2) L & R Strong Arm 6301"

Link:
$50 with shipping and they work great!! I'm very happy with these...tensions is great, fit is great, easy installation.

diamondave

well i am happy to announce i replaced my hood supports yesterday. I used a brand called turbo lift which i picked up at the local Napa auto parts. They were the only ones in town that had them in stock. everyone else had to order them. I took a look at this thread and read a few post about "grinding this" or altering that. With these you just unbolt them using a 12mm wrench at the hood and at the fender and they come with new threaded ***** which thread right in which i believe they are 3/8. Then the new hood shocks snap right on. Picked these up for about 20 bucks a piece.

dengman

i got some strong arm ones off of ebay.

dan200w

The first modification I made to my "new" 1995 LS 400 was to replace the hood pistons. I used the StrongArm 4566 that I purchased from Amazon. It took me about 25 minutes. Easy and work well.

TexFinn

Bought a pair of Sachs SG229032 from RockAuto for $33.xx shipped. Installed today and they work great.

JZCHAOS

Got mine from the Junk yard!!!!

myway

My hood wasn't staying up on my LS400 so I ordered two Strongarm struts from Amazon at $19.12 each. I replaced the driver's side first and to my surprise, the hood stayed up. When I detached the passenger side strut, the hood wood not stay up. Guess I got lucky as only one strut went bad and the other was still good.

Michael

I got mine from ebay, a seller name Parts Avenue. I bought this back in August, 2011. The parts came with lifetime warranty and paid only $26.62 + $8.47(shipping) = $35.08 for a pair.

Installation took only few minutes (not sure of this but recall no problem what so ever) and installed better than OEM. I have been using the strut for 2 years now and performing flawlessly. I hope it lasts but has the warranty coverage. Just recently I inquired about the warranty coverage since the ebay only keeps my purchase record for only 3 years.

I did some research prior to the purchase and some struct will have too high pressure that it bend hood. This one is like tailor made. Pressure is just right.

I sound like I may be related to the seller but I am not. This is one product I am very pleased with, so far. Just hope their warranty is as good.