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After almost getting killed...replaced Hood/Trunk struts.

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Old Apr 29, 2012 | 05:27 PM
  #1  
PUNISH3R's Avatar
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From: SoCali
Car: 1989 Pontiac Firebird Formula
Engine: V8 5.0 305 TBI
Transmission: 700R4 with B&M MegaShifter
Axle/Gears: Gear Ratio: 2.73 Ring Gear: 7 5/8
After almost getting killed...replaced Hood/Trunk struts.

AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! My Bird won! After almost decapitating me when I was under the hood! I knocked the Yoga back stretching foam thing down, that I use as a hood/trunk support, and the hood came down on my head AGAIN! Some chick left that UltraFit Max Foam Roller at my house, seemed like a good use for it, I lift, don't do Pilates! I stormed over to the Auto parts store and got new trunk and hood struts or lifts, whatever they're called. I had my last Formula for 10 years and never replaced them but had no problem putting a $1000 stereo in! I'm getting too old for this! It was the easiest repair of my life, old ones pop out, new ones pop in. They are inexpensive and have a life time warranty. Its nice to be able to put things in my trunk without the risk of brain damage!
Attached Thumbnails After almost getting killed...replaced Hood/Trunk struts.-firebird-trunk-strut.jpg   After almost getting killed...replaced Hood/Trunk struts.-firebird-hood-strut.jpg   After almost getting killed...replaced Hood/Trunk struts.-ultrafit-max-foam-roller  
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Old Apr 29, 2012 | 05:31 PM
  #2  
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Re: After almost getting killed...replaced Hood/Trunk struts.

Originally Posted by PUNISH3R
AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! My Bird won! After almost decapitating me when I was under the hood! I knocked the Yoga back stretching foam thing down, that I use as a hood/trunk support, and the hood came down on my head AGAIN! Some chick left that UltraFit Max Foam Roller at my house, seemed like a good use for it, I lift, don't do Pilates! I stormed over to the Auto parts store and got new trunk and hood struts or lifts, whatever they're called. I had my last Formula for 10 years and never replaced them but had no problem putting a $1000 stereo in! I'm getting too old for this! It was the easiest repair of my life, old ones pop out, new ones pop in. They are inexpensive and have a life time warranty. Its nice to be able to put things in my trunk without the risk of brain damage!

I came to the conclusion I should replace mine through a similar experience. It is so nice to unlock the hatch and it just goes up on it's own! It's a lot easier to get a bowling ball back w/ 3 16lb ***** in it loaded when I have both hands free, I'll tell you!
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Old Apr 29, 2012 | 05:35 PM
  #3  
shortyskater's Avatar
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From: pembroke ma
Car: 1987 Chevy Camaro Iroc-Z
Engine: just an empty hole. LS1 coming soon
Transmission: nothing there either. T-56 soon!
Axle/Gears: soon Moser 9 bolt
Re: After almost getting killed...replaced Hood/Trunk struts.

I've been there and they are on my list of things to replace!

One thing I never understood while looking at cars on craigs list is finding the ones that have thousands upon thousands of dollars poured into them only to see the hood or trunk propped open with a 2x4. Although I'm guilty now on my DD for using a tree branch
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Old May 1, 2012 | 09:03 AM
  #4  
2007xl50's Avatar
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From: Streetsboro Oh
Car: 1987 T/A WS6 T-Tops/92 RS
Engine: LB9/3.1
Transmission: 700R4/700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73/3.23
Re: After almost getting killed...replaced Hood/Trunk struts.

My hatch is still good, but the hood shocks are done, THe car is at the shop right now and forgot to tell them opps, i'm sure they found out already the hard way. Yes they are on my to do list. What size did you get for the hood?
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Old May 1, 2012 | 09:15 AM
  #5  
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From: Alabama
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: 5.7 TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3:27 BW 9 bolt
Re: After almost getting killed...replaced Hood/Trunk struts.

My hood shocks are getting bad too. Sometimes it'll seem like its going to stay up, but the second I stick head under there it decides to come down. Lol
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Old May 1, 2012 | 10:20 AM
  #6  
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From: SoCali
Car: 1989 Pontiac Firebird Formula
Engine: V8 5.0 305 TBI
Transmission: 700R4 with B&M MegaShifter
Axle/Gears: Gear Ratio: 2.73 Ring Gear: 7 5/8
Re: After almost getting killed...replaced Hood/Trunk struts.

I literally walked into the auto parts store, they typed '89 Firechicken into the computer and he handed them to me. The company was Sachs Stabilus - Lift Supports: Hood $15.99 each Trunk $35.99 each.
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Old May 1, 2012 | 02:45 PM
  #7  
navy02ws6's Avatar
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From: Atlanta
Car: '02 T/A WS6, '91 T/A, '91 Camaro RS
Engine: LS1, LB9, L03
Transmission: T56, 700R4, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 4.10 10 bolt, 2.73 10 bolts
Re: After almost getting killed...replaced Hood/Trunk struts.

I can't say much else for my car, but all my lift supports are good

Would have been one of the first things replaced if not though.
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Old May 8, 2012 | 09:38 PM
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Re: After almost getting killed...replaced Hood/Trunk struts.

My rear and front supports don't work. Wish I bought new ones when i was replacind my tail lights with my 1000 pound hatch laying on my back as if it wasn't frustrating enought taking all the trim out. I also keep a 2x4 in my back seet for my hood. :P
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Old May 9, 2012 | 12:59 AM
  #9  
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From: Lincoln, NE.
Car: '87 IROC
Engine: 5.7 Vortec w/ factory TPI
Transmission: WC T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.45 Posi
Re: After almost getting killed...replaced Hood/Trunk struts.

I have owned a combination of five third gen camaros and firebirds over the last 15 years and it never fails that every time I buy one I have to replace the hood or hatch shocks. I'm getting to the point where I almost always have an extra set on hand so I don't get crushed while working on a new project LOL!
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Old May 9, 2012 | 07:42 AM
  #10  
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Car: 1983 BB 1995 Z28 Camaro's
Engine: 454-350
Transmission: TH350-4l60e
Axle/Gears: 373 posi-Stock
Re: After almost getting killed...replaced Hood/Trunk struts.

Just ordered mine for both hood and trunk. Has anyone ever used the ones from J.C. Whitney's I hope they are not pieces os.
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Old May 11, 2012 | 03:01 PM
  #11  
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From: NW Ohio
Car: 1986 Trans-Am
Engine: 305 4 bbl
Transmission: 700R4 auto
Axle/Gears: posi
Re: After almost getting killed...replaced Hood/Trunk struts.

I got mine from O'Riellys. They have a lifetime warranty......no more spending $$$ on these again...lol.

Last edited by stahrman0612; May 11, 2012 at 03:07 PM.
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Old May 11, 2012 | 03:38 PM
  #12  
PUNISH3R's Avatar
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From: SoCali
Car: 1989 Pontiac Firebird Formula
Engine: V8 5.0 305 TBI
Transmission: 700R4 with B&M MegaShifter
Axle/Gears: Gear Ratio: 2.73 Ring Gear: 7 5/8
Re: After almost getting killed...replaced Hood/Trunk struts.

I got mine from O'Reilly's too. 3 words: LIFE...TIME...WARRANTY.

The car felt like 1ish Horse Power Faster too...just like after washing it!
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Old May 15, 2012 | 03:52 AM
  #13  
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From: Shalimar, FL
Car: 1986 Trans-Am
Engine: 305 5.0 TPI
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73 posi
Re: After almost getting killed...replaced Hood/Trunk struts.

I think the person that owned my car before me must have replaced bot the hood and hatch ones on mine. They are in excellent condition. I was looking at buying a Firebird in March that used a broomstick to hold the hood open.
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Old May 17, 2012 | 05:28 PM
  #14  
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From: Commerce Twp, MI
Car: '91 Camaro
Engine: LSx
Transmission: 4l60e
Axle/Gears: posi
Re: After almost getting killed...replaced Hood/Trunk struts.

wanna sell that foam roller ? they work great for stretching after lifting or just cracking your back.
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Old May 17, 2012 | 06:45 PM
  #15  
cdoyle's Avatar
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Re: After almost getting killed...replaced Hood/Trunk struts.

Originally Posted by stahrman0612
I got mine from O'Riellys. They have a lifetime warranty......no more spending $$$ on these again...lol.
That's where I got mine too, replaced the hatch ones too.
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Old May 17, 2012 | 06:55 PM
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Car: 1983 BB 1995 Z28 Camaro's
Engine: 454-350
Transmission: TH350-4l60e
Axle/Gears: 373 posi-Stock
Re: After almost getting killed...replaced Hood/Trunk struts.

Mine from J.C. Whitney's just got here and they are strong arms made in U.S.A.
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Old May 17, 2012 | 07:28 PM
  #17  
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From: Saint Louis, MO
Car: 86 Firebird LG4
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.23 limited slip
Re: After almost getting killed...replaced Hood/Trunk struts.

Man at least you could free yourself.

I had the engine out of the car on mine when I was putting in new control arm bushings. I had my whole body in the engine bay, torquing down those big pivot bolts and the damn hood fell and trapped me in! My body was at a 90 degree angle and I couldn't move anywhere to get out. I had to call my dad to open the hood (thank god I had my phone on me). He was like "where are you"? and all he heard was my voice "In here!"

My car loves me so much it doesn't ever want me to leave lol. I was touched.
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Old May 18, 2012 | 12:51 AM
  #18  
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From: SoCali
Car: 1989 Pontiac Firebird Formula
Engine: V8 5.0 305 TBI
Transmission: 700R4 with B&M MegaShifter
Axle/Gears: Gear Ratio: 2.73 Ring Gear: 7 5/8
Re: After almost getting killed...replaced Hood/Trunk struts.

Originally Posted by 0pyders
Man at least you could free yourself.

I had the engine out of the car on mine when I was putting in new control arm bushings. I had my whole body in the engine bay, torquing down those big pivot bolts and the damn hood fell and trapped me in! My body was at a 90 degree angle and I couldn't move anywhere to get out. I had to call my dad to open the hood (thank god I had my phone on me). He was like "where are you"? and all he heard was my voice "In here!"

My car loves me so much it doesn't ever want me to leave lol. I was touched.
HAHAHA!
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Old May 18, 2012 | 12:56 AM
  #19  
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From: SoCali
Car: 1989 Pontiac Firebird Formula
Engine: V8 5.0 305 TBI
Transmission: 700R4 with B&M MegaShifter
Axle/Gears: Gear Ratio: 2.73 Ring Gear: 7 5/8
Re: After almost getting killed...replaced Hood/Trunk struts.

Originally Posted by Gregs_GSXR
wanna sell that foam roller ? they work great for stretching after lifting or just cracking your back.
I craigslisted it! I can't be seen Mouser-sizing around the gym on that thing! Some cute girl bought it from me too! I then walked to O'Reillys and got a black license plate frame with the cashola! I should have got fuzzy dice!
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Old May 18, 2012 | 01:19 AM
  #20  
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
Car: 89 GTA/93 S13/91 Si
Engine: 5.7 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: After almost getting killed...replaced Hood/Trunk struts.

not gonna lie..i laughed but good that you replaced em
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Old May 18, 2012 | 07:05 AM
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Engine: 454-350
Transmission: TH350-4l60e
Axle/Gears: 373 posi-Stock
Re: After almost getting killed...replaced Hood/Trunk struts.

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Old May 18, 2012 | 08:54 AM
  #22  
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Re: After almost getting killed...replaced Hood/Trunk struts.

Originally Posted by Amythyst
I think the person that owned my car before me must have replaced bot the hood and hatch ones on mine. They are in excellent condition. I was looking at buying a Firebird in March that used a broomstick to hold the hood open.
Where and when did you buy your car? I used to help a member on here that had the same color combo car as you and yes, that was one of the first things we changed.
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