joshwilson3

You're right. The stuff Autozone uses is crap. Probably Advance too.

I always make sure they put me in their system for added insurance.

90 L98 TransAm

iTrader: (3)

The 4417s arrived today. They are ~ 1/4" shorter than the 4422s so won't hold your hood up quite as high. The 4422s are marked "Made In USA". Couldn't see where the 4417s are made.

Other than that they appear to be identical. Not sure if there is any difference in the gas pressures.

joshwilson3

I think I'd just stick with the 4422 as that is what everyone uses. I know TDS sells the Strong Arm struts, but I don't know what model number they are. TDS says they have a stronger charge than OEM.

tom3

Put the Azone hatch struts on my 88 about 5 years ago. On a warm day I can push the button and the hatch will still open full by itself. Guess it's just luck? But I do notice that Auto Zone has really shortened their warranties. Used to see a lot of lifetime warranties but now most are 90 days. People keeping those old clunkers longer?

DJP87Z28

Speak for yourself,yours may be one. But I don't consider my 1987 IROC-Z28 a clunker.

joshwilson3

Most are clunkers. Mines a clunker. But that doesn't bother me as I don't have to worry about scratching it or breaking something and half *** fixing something to keep it running.

And there's alot of C4 Vettes that are clunkers too.

Msilvernale

iTrader: (2)

Agree with clunker statement- mines a money pit/blackhole from which there is no escape.

joshwilson3

Do the new hood shocks not come with new lower clips? As I found my new Strong Arm doesn't have the lower clip. In which one of those has been missing for years. So, I guess I'll have to go back to the parts store to see if I can find a clip. I figured new shocks came with all new clips since if you loose a clip. You usually have to buy a whole new shock.

90 L98 TransAm

iTrader: (3)

The Strong Arm 4417's I got from Rock Auto came with clips on both ends.

DJP87Z28

"I figured new shocks came with all new clips". Well they used to but not now..cost savings I guess.

joshwilson3

It sure would be nice to figure out what exactly the 4417 is since the parts stores and other places show a 4422 for steel hoods.

But looks like that clip is discontinued from the dealer. So, I guess I could get one from the junkyard. But I'm thinking I may not need it. Since the side that had that clip, after the clip was off. I had to hit it with a hammer to get it off the lower peg. And I had to hit it to get it on, so I say that thing won't be popping off.

The other shock is still good, but you can see it was worn some compared to the new shock. I could go buy another shock. Or may just use the new receipt to take back the fully failed 5 year old 4422 shock and get a warranty exchange.

But I'd have to probably do that at an out of town Advance since I'd be willing to bet the local Advance won't do it even though I have a receipt and failed shock since they'll know the shock is old.

1991Camaroz28

last month i put on a set of strong arm hood supports and they were impressive the first week. the hood opened so easily. but now it seems that extra charge they put in doesn't hold up. now they only hold up the hood halfway and a slight breeze will close the hood. if only there were different hinges for these cars spring loaded would be awesome. these are my third set in 8 years. the first replacement set came from a junkyard and lasted the longest, then i got a set from advance and they lasted a year, then i got strongarms and they are so weak after a month they are a joke.

kmcn47

when you get new hood struts do they come with the retainer clip, just curious as one of mine is missing the clip and pops off all the time?

90 L98 TransAm

iTrader: (3)

The last Strong Arms i bought did.

kmcn47

thanx, my struts work fine....no idea how old hey are though they look original being that there old as hell, it would be perfect if the damn things would stay on though

OUTLAW9595

Haha, since I've had my 85 I've just kept a small pair of vise grips in the console. I'll get around to getting new struts eventually...

NCGuy68

I've got a pair of NOS shocks for a SMC hood if anyone is interested. GM part #14045326. They are NOT for a steel hood.

Ron U.S.M.C.

I decided to give these a try = https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/afte...ood-lifts.html

There site = http://www.stabilus.com/

KITT1983

iTrader: (3)

i need a set that is made in the USA and that is good

what is a good brand?

Darth 93

PM sent

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

[quote=KITT1983;5137479]i need a set that is made in the USA and that is good

what is a good brand?[/quoI
I got mine at Auto Zone,made in USA,Mighty Lift is the brand.
And I also got my hatch lifts their,The both sets are very strong and sturdy.No complaints here.

neagan

iTrader: (7)

What we need is for someone to design a set of hinges that will take a set of double supports on each side. We know one one each side is a factory turd choice that will never get fixed on it's own; correct? So it's up to us to decide how to improve they're SNAFU and make money on the side. I've got a set of custom billet hinges, perhaps they could be adapted to a second shock. Anyone out there with some Engineering eyes?
(putting together my new 3 car garage-who-hawh! Sorry Sarge, I can't do both this summer!!!!

joshc

iTrader: (1)

Check Ebay, I got a set of strong arm hood struts (part # 4422) $28.59 for the PAIR and Free shipping. Got them in a few days, Made in USA.

neagan

iTrader: (7)

joshc, How ya doing, and thanks for contributing to our 3rd Gen info site. For us it's not about the price; cost has become irrelevant on the hood struts. It's how long they last, is what the issue is. None of us can seem to find a set that lasts (on the heavier Camaro hood) longer than 18-24 months max no matter what we pay. Nitro
Whoops, didn't see that you were responding to knight rider KITT there; my apologies.

P.S. Watcha working on?

GTAman

iTrader: (2)

i'm throwing my vote it for sachs-stabilus. i've had their shocks on hood and hatch for about 7 years. still working good! i think they sells them at pep boys. check them out.

KITT1983

iTrader: (3)

do you have a part number ?

GTAman

iTrader: (2)

i can take a look tomorrow.

joshc

iTrader: (1)

I recently picked up an 86 Firebird, It's a fixer upper, but came with a 350 with an Edelbrock intake and Holley 4 barrel with headers.
I guess I'll find out in a couple years how the Strong Arm brand hold up, I was at least pleased to see they were made in USA.

neagan

iTrader: (7)

You bought a fixer-upper? arn't they ALL fixer uppers It's good that it came with a Hot-Rod foundation. Are you living in a more 'relaxed SMOG zone'?

My '88 IROC looked really good with it's fresh stem to stern detail job. But I wasn't fooled once I took the initial test drive. It wouldn't do a burn out in gravel, and the brakes wouldn't stop the car without plenty of prior warning. The seller was sweating vodka out his pores and there wasn't one thing that wasn't ready to be replaced However the guy tried to tell me this was the first time the speedometer had turned 100k.........Right.

For the first 6 months or so; every time I'd open or shut a door, hood, or trunk lid, another engine sensor would die and light up the dash. I bought mine to keep though, so I'm always taking longer to replace parts till I've gone through the area and made it better than factory new-kinda time consuming.

If your '86 has the edelbrock topped with a a strong 4=barrel and is breathing out of the necessary headers (those heads need to be uncorked on both ends just like a fat man's butt), it must really move along and out; even with a freeway geared rear-end. I bet it does sparky little burnouts!!!

1Aauto

We have had really good luck with the hood and hatch struts that we carry. Here's a link to them on our site, if you guys would like to see what we have. There's FREE SHIPPING on them in the lower 48 states.

Camaro Hood and Hatch Struts

Firebird Hood and Hatch Struts

GTAman

iTrader: (2)

to get back to your question, the part # on my lift-o-mat's are G430001. however, i just went on the stabilus website and they are not listed anymore. they may have changed the part #.

Question: does anyone know where to get spare clips for the hook shocks? mine broke when i removed them.

GTAman

iTrader: (2)

just checked rockauto, They have the SACHS lift props for $10/each. Part # is SG430001.