Hood strut // rear hatch strut issues.

[richard wysong]

if theres an LKQ you pull it used auto parts near you the struts are only a couple dollars each and have a lifetime guarantee and you get to see how they work before you remove them

[Supreme Pizza]

12 minutes ago, BlaineBug said:

No problem.  Or you can always replace the strut and see what happens, if it doesn't help then return it......whatever you want to do!  Normally they aren't more than $10-$20.  I haven't checked prices lately.

 

 

MEXICO - RAMOS ARIZPE. COAH. 25900

9706VI   0470N   283/07  C  5

15855373  /  CHEVY

 

 

[BlaineBug]

8 minutes ago, richard wysong said:

if theres an LKQ you pull it used auto parts near you the struts are only a couple dollars each and have a lifetime guarantee and you get to see how they work before you remove them

Not a bad idea.  I used to be a big junkyard visitor when I was younger.  You know how women go to crafts stores, me and my friends would go to the junkyards......just to browse.  Lots of modding back in the day with our vehicles as well.  One of the more memorable was using a throttle body from a Ford Econoline Van and installing it on our Crown Victoria 4.6.  The diameter of the throttle body was bigger, but for a minute fraction of the cost of the aftermarket "performance" throttle bodies.  Heh!  Also installed dual exhaust and rear end gear sets from Police Cars on our non-Police Crown Victorias.  Lots of money spent but really a fraction of the cost of what some people spend when they build their cars.

Edited December 30, 2021 by BlaineBug

[BlaineBug]

28 minutes ago, Supreme Pizza said:

 

 

MEXICO - RAMOS ARIZPE. COAH. 25900

9706VI   0470N   283/07  C  5

15855373  /  CHEVY

 

 

Part number 15855373 comes back as a genuine GM hood strut.

 

https://www.gmpartsgiant.com/parts/gm-strut-15855373.html

 

Here's a small tip, take a little bit of oil or lubricant and put a drop or two where the chrome rod meets the black rod, where it slides in.  I'm not sure how it's oriented on your vehicle though.  You can also take a rag and wipe some oil on the chrome struts for your hood and tailgate as well.  Keeps them clean.  Debris on the chrome shaft is the real killer of those strut seals!

Edited December 30, 2021 by BlaineBug

[Supreme Pizza]

4 minutes ago, BlaineBug said:

Part number 15855373 comes back as a genuine GM hood strut.

 

https://www.gmpartsgiant.com/parts/gm-strut-15855373.html

 

Here's a small tip, take a little bit of oil or lubricant and put a drop or two where the chrome rod meets the black rod, where it slides in.  I'm not sure how it's oriented on your vehicle though.  You can also take a rag and wipe some oil on the chrome struts for your hood and tailgate as well.  Keeps them clean.  Debris on the chrome shaft is the real killer of those strut seals!

 

 

   I could give it a try. Not much to lose.

 

   I wonder what difference mounting it upside down would make.

Edited December 30, 2021 by Supreme Pizza

[richard wysong]

its worth a try and doesn't cost anything. you can check to make sure its not the hinges binding when you disconnect them. may as well lube all the pivot points while you're there

[BlaineBug]

12 hours ago, Supreme Pizza said:

 

 

   I could give it a try. Not much to lose.

 

   I wonder what difference mounting it upside down would make.

I had a very lengthy response typed out yesterday in response to this but I am seeing that it apparently never posted.  Most all of the time I have seen hood and trunk struts installed, the black tube portion is positioned on top of the chrome rod.  This may seem like it is upside down but from what I have read, this ensures that the oil within the black cylinder is always in contact with the sealing surface of the strut to make sure that the rubber stays lubricated at all times.

As for suspension shocks on cars it seems like it can vary if the cylinder portion is on the top or the bottom of the chrome rod.

If you can install the replacement struts with the black cylinder on top that's the way I would do it.  Also make sure to clean the chrome shaft often.  Debris or even dust on the chrome shaft will act as abrasive on the rubber sealing surface of the hydraulic cylinder.

Edited December 30, 2021 by BlaineBug

[dna9656]

I don't think was can make sheet metal out of High Strength ( or low strength for that matter) Steel and aluminum, why would you?

I would get the original part numbers from GM, the part numbers off the existing struts and see if they cross (are equivalent) I'm betting the the front ones are not and the back ones are tired. I would use the GM P/N and cross them to a more sane (cost wise) replacement. I like the idea of the struts on the hood, if a hood ever comes down on your hand you like the strut idea too. Prop rod idea, I would go to a bone yard and find something that will lay down like a prop rod should VS trying to make one; but making one isn't so bad either, you can buy a prop rod bracket for about $5.00 on Amazon or from your local Dorman source.

[BlaineBug]

20 minutes ago, dna9656 said:

I don't think was can make sheet metal out of High Strength ( or low strength for that matter) Steel and aluminum, why would you?

I would get the original part numbers from GM, the part numbers off the existing struts and see if they cross (are equivalent) I'm betting the the front ones are not and the back ones are tired. I would use the GM P/N and cross them to a more sane (cost wise) replacement. I like the idea of the struts on the hood, if a hood ever comes down on your hand you like the strut idea too. Prop rod idea, I would go to a bone yard and find something that will lay down like a prop rod should VS trying to make one; but making one isn't so bad either, you can buy a prop rod bracket for about $5.00 on Amazon or from your local Dorman source.

The part number he provided came up as an OEM General Motors hood strut.  Didn't list years but in 2015 they ditched them anyway and use the spring hinges.  Also coincidentally that is also when they started using aluminum hoods.  For the SUV platform at least.  Truck platform was starting with model year 2014.

[Supreme Pizza]

1 hour ago, BlaineBug said:

The part number he provided came up as an OEM General Motors hood strut.  Didn't list years but in 2015 they ditched them anyway and use the spring hinges.  Also coincidentally that is also when they started using aluminum hoods.  For the SUV platform at least.  Truck platform was starting with model year 2014.

 

 

My '03 has springs. My 08 has the strut. I wonder if I could put '03 springs on an '08 hood. Probably not.

[BlaineBug]

3 minutes ago, Supreme Pizza said:

 

 

My '03 has springs. My 08 has the strut. I wonder if I could put '03 springs on an '08 hood. Probably not.

I wouldn't bother with that nonsense.  How often are you opening the hood.  Find a good strut and be done with it.  You're probably one of the lone sufferers of a strut that is too stiff.  The rest have weak struts.

[Supreme Pizza]

46 minutes ago, BlaineBug said:

I wouldn't bother with that nonsense.  How often are you opening the hood.  Find a good strut and be done with it.  You're probably one of the lone sufferers of a strut that is too stiff.  The rest have weak struts.

 

Ya, your probably right.

 

I open my hood maybe twice per week. Every time I fill my fuel tank, I fill the washer fluid, check the coolant level, check the oil, check the transmission, check the brake fluid, and sometimes the power steering fluid.