Hood Shocks, whats the deal?

Ive had the same two cars for the past 13-15 years.

80 Buick, 86 Bird, both use hood shocks.

Buick hood is bigger and heavier, shocks are smaller and ive bought a new set once.

Bird, longer shocks, lighter hood, ive bought new ones 5-6 times???

bought all brands made, just got some monore ones from rock auto for just over $20 shipped mailed to me. As once agian the hood wont hold itself up.

 

Make a small prop rod. I hear you though...

 

You just can't beat a prop rod.

 

I've got Sachs shocks under my hood. They last for about 4 years.
It'll be the same issue as with the hatch lifters.
As long as the hood or hatch is closed, the gas inside is compressed and can evaporate more easily through the tiny seals, even if they're not dried out.
It's just... natural.

 

As a original owner of 1987 IROC-Z28 , I have given up buying hood shocks. I think the under hood heat kills them. My rear hatch shocks were only replaced once.

 

never touched the rear hatch ones but the hood ones I just replaced a couple years ago don't hold the hood all the way up anymore they still work just not that good

 

I always forget how far the hood opens, until I get a new set. Then its like wow, I don't have to be a hunch back to see......

 

At least the hood does open good once some new shocks are in. I hate working on cars with little hoods and crappy hinges.
My head tends to meet sharp parts of them

 

These are the ones I use with my steel Goodmark hood.
I bought them over 3 years ago and they are as strong today as they were new.=
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...d=lift+support
Heres there company profile =
http://www.stabilus.com/

 

I have Sachs, I order the ones from rockauto for the hood that specifys "with spoiler and steel" and they last about 5 years. As to the heat thing, I think you are on to something, both my 91 and 89 have new on hood and hatch, and the hatch ones last longer. I won't stand for a hood/hatch that won't hold itself up. In my experience, I always buy the strongest ones. Like I said "hood w/spoiler and steel" and "hatch with spoiler and wiper" that way they start off stronger, and as they weaken, you get a little more life out of them. They are super sweet to have rather than a crappy rattling prop rod, but they are worse off when they don't work for sure!

 

Hood with spoiler? What spoiler?

 

ya tell me about it, I bought some at O'Rilley's about 2 years ago.
They are already not holding the hood up, on a warm day it will hold it about half way. any other time, it slams shut.

Ticks me off.

 

I get mine at the junkyard.Usually pay between 2-5 dollars apiece and you can already see how well they work.Some of the ones I have are like brand new

 

Junkyard specials too.Forget how old they are, but they're OLD.

 

I cant remember our cars EVER having a hood that stays up. personally I use the wand extensions from a shop vac