Hood support struts....don't last???

[PaulRV6]

The hood shock absorbers don't seem to last long on my 86GN. I last replaced them a couple yrs ago with GM replacements and now they won't hold the hood up. What gives with these? What does everyone else replace them with? Thanks

paul

 

[Aztlanahauc]

I replaced mine with some I bought from Checker Auto Parts 3 years ago...

Still working like new.

 

[skylarkstage1]

Dito. My 86GN is once again in need of replacement hood shock ansorbers. I believe I replaced about 2 year ago also.

 

[turbojd]

Yeah, I replaced mine about 2 yrs. ago with a pair from Kirbans, once again the hood will not stay up, time for another pair again.

 

[turbo nasty]

mine with what you get at the parts stores and it has been 6 years and still hold.....knock on something..

 

[tom h]

There was a recent lengthy discussion of hood airlift cylinders at TurboBuicks.com - TR Gas Hood Struts

I prefer to use the GM # 1259327 airlifts over any of the aftermarket parts, even though it's more expensive. They do lose their compressed gas after a few years, they're essentially a consumable part :frown:

 

[mike86ttype]

my hood support shocks is guaranteed to last for the rest of ur cars life and only 15 dollars
Pelican Parts.com - 9" Long Nose Locking Pliers w/Wire Cutter

 

[whitehot1]

I bought mine from autozone 8 years ago and they are still working great.:smile:

 

[Fuelie600]

my hood support shocks is guaranteed to last for the rest of ur cars life and only 15 dollars
Pelican Parts.com - 9" Long Nose Locking Pliers w/Wire Cutter

Have you been hanging around the Ricers?

 

[SHADOWII]

purchased mine from western auto about 10 yrs ago.:smile:

 

[PaulRV6]

Do they aftermarket ones have the same holding strength and stiffness for pulling the hood down? I have the stock hood so it's not that big of a deal but I was just wondering.

paul

 

[Fuelie600]

Don't suppose there would be enough difference to worry about. Brian

 

[tom h]

Do they aftermarket ones have the same holding strength and stiffness for pulling the hood down? I have the stock hood so it's not that big of a deal but I was just wondering.
paul

There have been reports of the aftermarket cylinder being too strong, and having caused damage to the hood brackets. This seems an extreme case, though. I wanted to take no chances on my "Princess", and replaced a new set of MightyLift (Autozone) cylinders with GM , just to be safe. The MightyLifts were slightly stronger (but not drastically so), but the GM cylinders are smoother in their action, throughout the full arc of the hood's swing.

 

[David65]

Put my AC Delco lift supports on in March 2002. Still going...

 

[Gary Wells]

I must not open & shut the hood enough, I'm still on the originals. They're tiring, though, maybe next year.

 

[PaulRV6]

What is the P/N for the GM part, I will check pricing.

paul

 

[vintageracer]

Rumbling around Pull A Part the other day and was looking at a 1987 Cutlass. They have hood hinges like a GN but use a 2 piece hood support that scissors with a spring. There is an extension bracket that mounts to the hood into which the top of the scissors/spring hood support bolts to. The other end of the hood support bolts to the fender.

Anyone ever try to adapt this type of hood support to a GN and replace the gas struts?

 

[David65]

What is the P/N for the GM part, I will check pricing.

paul

This shows 1259327. Don't know if thats the current number tho. http://perfauto.tripod.com/data/8-036.pdf

 

[tom h]

This shows 1259327. Don't know if thats the current number ...

That's correct, I recently bought it. Mail order price was around $27 each.

 

[madhat]

Have you been hanging around the Ricers?

Pelican Parts is one of the best places to buy E30 BMW parts from.
Also, My hood shocks are original...