I couldn't find replacement supports under about $50.00/pr delivered, have other uses for my money, and don't have time for the junkyard right now, so I improvised by drilling a 1/8" hole in the shaft and zip-tying a cotter pin to the cylinder. After filing off the burrs, the piston will spew out the remaining fluid as the hood is raised and lowered a few times. This works if you're OK with the weight of the hood....and hopefully not having to go in there all the time.

 

just make sure the pin is strong enough

 

I just use a 2" x 4" piece of wood.
Cost < $1
Time to fabricate < 1 minute

 

Have you tried Rockauto.com? I got hood supports for about 15 each shipped.

The rightside/passenger side hood lift was easy to replace. The left/driver side has this weird little connector pin of some sort, that I could not for the life of be get disconnected, so I only replaced the right one.

 

Yeah, went there, and lots on fleabay as well. Problem is shipping to Canada costs as much as the support(s). BTW, the cotter pin I used just fits the 1/8" hole, plenty strong enough.

 

That's a great fix, I recently replaced my hood supports. I got a good deal on them (I went through Amazon), but they were still expensive for the purpose they serve.

I like it when the factory builds in a hood prop as opposed to struts. Much simpler, and they never go out. Also a lot safer, I've had a hood come crashing down when I assumed the struts were good. They only had the "strength" to stay up for a few minutes.

 

ive got a metal curtain rod in the trunk I use lol

 

Smart idea...did you drill both support struts or just the driver's side?

 

When my hood supports went out, I just bought new ones from ebay, good price and fully functional, like OEM and found them under $50 dollars. Ebay link to hood supports for the 3rd Gen. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-NEW...Q5fAccessories

Ebay link for the 2nd Gen ES300 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-HOO...Q5fAccessories

 

Just the driver's side.

 

Vice grips. $10.