 » Site Navigation | | | | » Recent Threads | | | |  |  |  |  12-27-2005, 01:44 AM | #1 | | Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Columbia, MD Posts: 10 |  Hood Strut Replacement
I've got a bad hood strut (the hood won't stay up itself).
I bought a replacement strut, but: a) I'm not sure which of the two struts is the bad one (I have a good idea which one it is, but there's no obviousl signs), and 2) I'm not 100% sure how to manipulate the metal clips on the strut to get them off/on the hood. Do I need a special tool, or would needlenose or other common tool do it?
Any suggestions/advice? Thanks. |  |  | | 12-27-2005, 08:00 PM | #2 | | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portland Or Posts: 2,666 |
They are almost always replaced in pairs. Otherwise they may not have
the same tension and youll either wear out the new one too fast
or break the mount points forcing 1 to hold the hood up.
Dave __________________
Dave - PDX
1995 318ti - Active Black and Tan.
2005 330xi - Mtech 1 - 6spd - Orient Blue/Black | | | | | 12-29-2005, 06:58 AM | #3 | | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: state college, pa Posts: 3,431 |
The clips just pop off with a flathead, or you can pull with pliers.
To see which one is bad, lift the hood and lower it once by the left corner, and once by the right. You should be able to tell pretty quickly. There's also usually a buildup of grime around the seal on the dead strut. __________________
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ZOMBIES. | | | | | 12-29-2005, 08:13 AM | #4 | | Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 15 |
I just replaced mine in pairs.
Don't screw around with 1.
Also, as it has been mentioned, you can pop off the clips on each strut (2 clips, 1 at the top and one at the bottom).
I just happened to be at Pep Boys and looked at the Haynes manual and it was a breeze.
Be very careful though...when you pull one off the trunk will come down hard so you have to hold the trunk open when you pull the strut off. | | | | | 12-29-2005, 03:11 PM | #5 | | Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Huntington, WV Posts: 16 |
My trunk struts are bad. Where did you get them??
Thanks,
Steve | | | | | 12-29-2005, 06:22 PM | #6 | | Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 15 |
First, nothing worse when those struts go out right? Holding the trunk up or having to push the hatch all the way up hoping it stays put is such a pain in the ******* Ok, I got mine wholesale from Crevier BMW in California. They sell wholesale prices (very good mind you) and if your out of state, no tax! Contact Vaheh @ vbashikian@crevierbmw.com. Just tell him you are part of the 318ti.org member forum and he will take care of you. The installation took me 5 minutes for each side and only because I took the clips off very carefully. There's no worry about pulling out the clips so it was a breeze. | | | | | 12-29-2005, 06:36 PM | #7 | | Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Huntington, WV Posts: 16 |
Thanks! I have sent the email and will reply with the price when I get it. | | | | | 12-29-2005, 07:01 PM | #8 | | aka Stabby Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mead, CO Posts: 5,336 |
Quote: | Originally Posted by pcmedics911 First, nothing worse when those struts go out right? Holding the trunk up or having to push the hatch all the way up hoping it stays put is such a pain in the ******* Ok, I got mine wholesale from Crevier BMW in California. They sell wholesale prices (very good mind you) and if your out of state, no tax! Contact Vaheh @ vbashikian@crevierbmw.com. Just tell him you are part of the 318ti.org member forum and he will take care of you. The installation took me 5 minutes for each side and only because I took the clips off very carefully. There's no worry about pulling out the clips so it was a breeze. | cool ... someone else is using my parts guy. he da man! __________________ 1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles
current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray
acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts
2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel | | | | | 12-30-2005, 01:15 AM | #9 | | Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 15 |
Cali-ti,
Yes, I got his info from you on a diff thread!
I'm so glad you mentioned his name. He's saved me some $ no doubt. | | | | | 12-30-2005, 01:20 AM | #10 | | aka Stabby Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mead, CO Posts: 5,336 |
lol ... gotcha  glad to help. __________________ 1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles
current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray
acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts
2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel | | | | | 05-30-2006, 06:17 AM | #11 | | Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 143 |
I knw this thread ia like Hella old, But....
Will Any E36 3-seried struts work as hood struts ?!?
Or are they 318ti only ?!?
Thanks. | | | | |
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