I know some of you haven't had any problems with your hood/trunk struts. But, I just purchased a 91 GTA, and the hood won't stay up. The previous owner said he replaced the struts once, and now they have given out. I live in upstate NJ, so we get hot summers and cold winters. (Someone mentioned that temperature effects the struts.)

Can anyone reccomend a good replacement? I hate putting cheap **** on my car. I'm willing to spend a couple extra bucks if it means that the part is better quality.

Thanks,
Bill

 

GM might still sell them

 

autozone has some that have worked for me. They are in the isles. They have them for the hatch as well.

 

I got my hatch and hood replacement struts from Pepboys. They were like, $25 apiece. Definately not cheap. Besides, it's not like you're installing some performance part. They are all going to give out eventually.

 

I don't recommend getting them from GM. The original hood struts on my Camaro convertible lasted a year and a half, then they would fail to hold up the hood. I bought new hood struts from the dealer. About a year and a half later they too failed to hold up my hood. I bought a replacement set from Pep Boys which lasted 10 years. Get the struts from your favorite auto parts chain, (Pep Boys, Kragen, Napa, etc.). If you can't find them, I have them available on my web site as well.

Lon Salgren
Top-Down Solutions

 

local farm stores should carry them to. i know farm king and farm and fleet do here in the midwest.

 

Allright, thats a no go for GM.

I guess I'll check out Pepboys and R & S strauss. Do they have different sizes? If so, what size do I need for my bird? (Or, are they one size fits all?) Also, is there a specific brand name anyone has had great luck with?

Thanks again,
Bill

 

They should have a book to look up what you need for your car. Similar to oil and air filters books. They will probably only have one brand. Just get it.

 

"StrongArm" is the most popular brand that I have seen.

 

I just bought Strong Arm last week, I need to replace the hood and hatch and ran me about 140.Cdn tx included. I got mine at Canadian Tire & they seemed to have the best price around here. I can't wait to install them, I'm tired of using my head to hold up the hatch when putting in the t-tops

 

I got mine at pep boys too

 

I purchased a pair for my hood at Pep Boys on Friday. I wanted to install them yesterday, but it rained! Looks like I'll be giving it a shot today.

Thanks for your help guys.
Bill

 

dont be a wuss.........do it in the rain lol

 

I march in the rain but I don't want my car rusting any more than the previous owner let it.

I swapped the struts in yesterday, it should have taken me 5 min, but I had a hard time getting the clips off the old stuts loose.

Thanks for your help guys,
Bill

 

I could swear that the hood shocks are starting to give a bit already and I changed them last year. But I bought them from Canadian Tire and they have a lifetime guarantee.

 

$10 buck says they're going. =) Return them now, or wait another year until they're more noticably sagging and then return them.

Bill

 

I got mine for Orileys and theres come with a Limited Lifetime warranty. As long as i own my car, there coverd

 

If you get Monroe's, they come with a lifetime warranty.....

 

now why couldn't you guys tell me this when i asked which ones to buy? i'm stuck with pep boys =p

 

Pep boys is a Monroe dealer, maybe they will honor any issues
you might have. A lot of times they will just do a customer
satisfaction warranty, even if it isn't expressed or implied. I also
had problems with factory GM supports, once knocking me
unconscience in the dealers parking lot while I was showing
the service drive manager my defective privacy cover, when the
car was days old! Ouch!

 

M Hall, check out my posting on the general engine board

 

I have an aftermarket fiberglass hood that weighs 35lbs. I would be willing to take any of your used worn out hood struts off your hands. Since my hood is so lite the new hood struts are too strong for my hood.

 

i bought mine from O'reily also, they have a lifetime warranty and i have the receipt saved for when they go out. didn't take long to change my hatch struts. also if you ask the people at the service desk they will look up which struts fit your car!