When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Gonna put this hood strut vs hood prop thing to the members here. (for the record) my 4Runner struts don't like to hold up in the cold, and my rear Matrix struts failed. Our LX ones are fine. Rear 4Runner struts are perfect.
Anyways, I was perusing a manual of a new car, it is a 2020 model. New design.
I have never ever seen a scheduled service to replace hood struts. To be done at 120,000km, then at 240,00km.
Absolutely astonishing!
And what heck is an air conditioning desiccant?
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Nov 19, 2019 at 03:24 PM.
My vote......hood-struts, hands-down, even if they fail after a while at extreme temperatures. Replacing them is usually a simple and relatively inexpensive operation (in fact, once or twice, in the past, I've done it myself). They tend to wear out more often in back, in hatchbacks/wagons, because the rear hatches, of course, are opened and shut far more often than the hood.
And there is a reason why I dislike manual prop-rods....it is not just laziness on my part. Especially in conjunction with heavy sheet-steel hoods (as opposed to lighter plastic or aluminum ones) they can be difficult for short persons, persons with physical injuries, or those who lack arm/shoulder strength. They can be accidentally knocked out of place, and/or the wind rattling the hood can vibrate them out of the holding-slot, causing the hood to come falling down on top of someone. In my book, a PITA. And I dislike them even more when I see them in 50-60K vehicles that already cost an arm and a leg.
Call it a rant if you want...but that's my $.02.
BTW, Jill......if you want, you post a peference-poll. Usually, only the OP can do that, although I'm not sure......moderators may (?) also be able to add one later.
Last edited by mmarshall; Nov 19, 2019 at 03:27 PM.
BTW, Jill......if you want, you post a peference-poll. Usually, only the OP can do that, although I'm not sure......moderators may (?) also be able to add one later.
Thanks. It does not really matter to me. I am just astonished at the replacement interval.
Originally Posted by mmarshall
My vote......hood-struts, hands-down, even if they fail after a while at extreme temperatures. Replacing them is usually a simple and relatively inexpensive operation (in fact, once or twice, in the past, I've done it myself). They tend to wear out more often in back, in hatchbacks/wagons, because the rear p
Your points are valid, but this vehicle has a "scheduled" maintenance replacement. Just absurd.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Nov 19, 2019 at 03:32 PM.
Thanks. It does not really matter to me. I am just astonished at the replacement interval.
Your points are valid, but this vehicle has a "scheduled" maintenance replacement. Just absurd.
What that tells me is that Toyota might (?) have used cheaply-made struts that were more or less expected to weaken or fail over time. Some struts do....some don't, though the seals on the struts (which keep the fluid inside from leaking out and weakening the strut) are usually not expected to last the life of the vehicle. In back, of course, they get weakened from a lot of use from the hatch-lid, and, under the hood, from engine heat over time.
Last edited by mmarshall; Nov 19, 2019 at 04:45 PM.
Speaking of..... the struts on our LS just failed and the replacement from eBay came today.... Whopping $18... If I’m not too lazy, I’ll swap them tonight.
You had mentioned several Toyotas in your OP.
Hood strut vs manual prop debate
