How to install a car hood shock absorber with your own hands

What is this and why?

These details will make the process of opening or closing the hood smoother. The mechanism is able to reliably hold the hood at any angle without the need to use a standard holder. These stops will help secure this body element in an open position.

There are several important benefits to installing hood shock absorbers. Thus, the part greatly facilitates the process of maintenance or repair. If you don’t particularly want to manually lift the heavy engine compartment lid, getting your clothes dirty, then these stops will be a good purchase.

Selection rules

The hood shock absorber is a part with a low level of complexity. And the requirements placed on her are not high. But there are still some selection criteria.

The first point is the frequency of use. Some drivers open the hood of their car very often, others less often. This factor plays an important role when selecting a shock absorber. This is where you need to think about durability.

Also, before purchasing, it would be useful to study the technical capabilities of a particular car. When choosing, you should check the length of the product when compressed and expanded - hoods differ from each other in length and weight. It is considered more effective to install shock absorbers on the hood in pairs. Many cars are equipped with vibration isolation. The weight of such hoods is greater than it might seem at first glance. Two racks will be able to distribute the load more evenly.

It is better to look at the required length in technical documents.

It should indicate everything about any mechanisms and parts that are used in this model. The same applies to the hood stop. The wrong choice can result in incorrect operation or breakdown.

Classification and features of species

Unlike many other automotive options, gas struts cannot boast of an abundance of varieties, which is explained by the relative simplicity of the device. However, before installing a car hood gas stop, you will have to select it based on several important criteria. The first is the type of working gas, which can be:

Air is the most obvious design solution, which today is used only in budget stops. Does not provide proper performance characteristics, however, it is safe when disassembling and servicing the mechanism.
Nitrogen is most widely used due to its optimal price-quality ratio. Nitrogen-filled stop cylinders must not be disassembled.
Other gases are rare and are used in exclusive parts and special equipment.

The second, but no less important criterion is the length of the rod, as well as the range of working lengths of the device (in compressed and relaxed states). The compatibility of the stop with a specific model, the uninterrupted operation and operational reliability depend on these characteristics.

And finally, the last thing to think about is the manufacturer. If the standard equipment of your car model requires the presence of gas hood stops, in most cases it is better to opt for the original part. If the car was equipped with a mechanical system or you simply don’t want to overpay for the brand, you can purchase products from leading auto parts suppliers:

JP Group (Denmark);
Auto mega, DELLO, Mapco (Germany);
Tuff-support (Türkiye).

The cheapest, but very unpredictable in terms of quality, option would be to buy a Chinese-made gas stop.

About the features of operation

When using these products in winter, it is not recommended to suddenly open the hood without making sure that the car has actually warmed up to operating temperatures. If the shock absorber is of a liquid type, it is necessary to open the hood as smoothly as possible.

This is necessary so that the liquid overflows as slowly as possible.

If the element mounted on the trunk is quite tight, then the hood shock absorber should be softer. This can be explained by the fact that during loading the trunk lid may accidentally close and cause serious harm to the car owner.

By filler substance

Based on the working substance, these devices can be divided into gas shock absorbers for the hood, gas-oil solutions and oil products.

The first products are distinguished by a high level of reliability and long service life. The latter are more economical, but they should not be used in regions with extremely cold winters. The gas-oil option is the most universal solution. As for the characteristics, they are average, but this is balanced by the low price.

Types of hood shock absorbers

Like any other parts and assemblies, these products are also classified. Thus, devices are divided according to the type of damping and the working substance inside the shock absorber. There are hydraulic and gas products.

So, the gas shock absorber for the hood is of high quality and service life. In general, they are the most durable. This device can easily last even longer than the car itself. In this case, there will not be even the slightest reason for repairs. Naturally, all this is available only with proper use. Another advantage of gas is that it is much less dependent on temperature changes. You have to pay for all this. The gas hood shock absorber is the most expensive of all.

Oil systems have the lowest price. However, their main disadvantage is the fear of frost.

In cold weather, opening the hood will be very difficult, and in summer there is a risk of injury, since the hydraulic fluid is compressed and cannot support the weight of the metal for too long.

There is also a distinction between gas and oil equipment. These devices have an optimal price and quality. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of the two types of products listed above. Despite this, a hood shock absorber of this design is widely used on expensive foreign cars and domestic cars.

Speaking of damping, in the case of oil models it is hydraulic. Hydraulic fluid slows down the movement of the rod, and it should only be directed downwards.

Advantages of gas struts

Gas struts
By purchasing gas struts for the hood, the user will receive a number of advantages:

It will be able to hold the hood open at a certain angle for a long time. At the same time, he will not make any effort;
Repairs or diagnostics of engine performance will take place in comfortable conditions;
You can install shock absorbers yourself, since this process is not labor-intensive. Although you can use the services of a car dealership, whose specialists will complete the installation in a matter of minutes. After all, the installation of such stops does not require drilling additional holes;
You can select and buy gas struts for your car at any car dealership, since such parts have now become common;
The hood will not fall under any circumstances. Even if an earthquake suddenly occurs, he will remain motionless;
There is full access to the space under the hood;
The hood opens very easily, so the driver only needs to press a button located in the cabin. In this case, he will not need to use force to open it;
Gas struts do not require any particular attitude. All adjustments are made from the factory, so there is no need to configure the operation of the device.

How to install shock absorbers on the hood?

There will be no difficulties with installing these stops. You may need some free time and some experience with power tools. So, for such tuning you should purchase a pair of gas stops. If this is a VAZ car, then you need to know that equipment from the 10 series is not suitable for older models - they warp the hood. Next, you need to prepare nuts and washers for the “13” key. You will need two keys “for 13”. An electric drill and an 8 mm drill will also come in handy. And finally, enamel and a little bitumen.

To install a hood shock absorber (including VAZ 2109), the first step is to lift the hood and prop it up with an annoying “poker”. Then, you need to make the markings for drilling holes as accurately, clearly and correctly as possible. This step requires maximum care.

The holes should be approximately 53 cm from the left and right edges, and there should be approximately 31 cm between the holes. This is an approximate value due to the fact that every hood is different.

Next, the stops are screwed in turn.

This project does not solve the problem of smooth and independent opening of the hood. It just holds the lid. To solve the problem of correct discovery, you will need to conduct several experiments.

There is an important point in this work - when working alone, it is recommended to first fix the stops on the hood and only then attach them to the body. This is one of the simplest and most affordable installation methods. There is no need to select or make adapters for shock absorbers: the hood stops are perfectly mounted under the seats of the struts in the engine compartment.

For classic VAZ models, it is recommended to use not two, but one shock absorber.

Some are even sure that two stops will tear off the trunk lid. On classic models, the emphasis is placed in the place of that same poker. But the hole in the engine compartment is drilled out a little, and then tightened with a “13” nut. After the installation is completed, you can enjoy a high-quality result.

Installing a gas stop in the hood

In the article there are photos and instructions for installing the gas stop. I will also tell you about the nuances that I encountered. Before this I installed a Finval hood - don’t waste time and money on it, it sucks!

Instructions below, behind the photos. So, let's go.

The hardest part is the bottom plate.

First unscrew this screw on the hood.

The emphasis is set.

Everything is clear in the photo.

Now the nuances and instructions on how to install the gas stop

First I looked at the stop, applied it and roughly tried it on how it would stand. Then I placed it on the motor so that if something happened, I could grab it with one hand.

Next, we unscrew the star bolt so that the bottom screw does not fly off into the motor, insert our index finger and hold it firmly with our finger, remove the star bolt with our right hand, hold the screw from the bottom with our left hand, then again with our right hand we take the lower part of the stop lying nearby, behind the ear itself, insert it carefully and insert the star bolt into it, tighten it.

This way, the screw doesn’t fly away from the bottom into the engine compartment, and we don’t have to remove the headlight to screw it in later. Everything turns out much faster than you thought, the most difficult part to install is the bottom mount. The hood cover stands on a poker...)))

Next, we screw in the second bolt with a plate (eye), we also push it into the hole on the side where we held the screw with our index finger, it will turn out to be a little skewed, no big deal, the main thing for us is to tighten it, and then when we have tightened it, we boldly pull it towards ourselves, without fear again, the fact that it will fall into the engine compartment, and thereby align its ear itself from the inside.

We tighten everything tightly, but not too much, it can be torn off. The bottom is ready.

We remove the poker, remove the rubber band, hold the lid with our left hand, insert the top plate into the bolt from which we removed the screw with our right hand, tighten the screw, then tighten it with the second bolt, tighten it and you're done. It took 10 minutes to do everything.

Next, we spray all the moving parts of the hinge and the stop itself with VDashka, develop it, and it becomes easier when opening. He stood up like a native, without jambs. Zero cons.