What is this and why?
These details will make the process of opening or closing the hood smoother. The mechanism is able to reliably hold the hood at any angle without the need to use a standard holder. These stops will help secure this body element in an open position.
There are several important benefits to installing hood shock absorbers. Thus, the part greatly facilitates the process of maintenance or repair. If you don’t particularly want to manually lift the heavy engine compartment lid, getting your clothes dirty, then these stops will be a good purchase.
Gas stop device
The main structural elements of the hood gas stop include:
- case fastening - a part necessary to fix the mechanism on the supporting surface;
- body – a hollow metal cylinder filled with working gas;
- piston - a sealed element, rigidly fixed to the rod and capable of making linear movements in the stop body;
- rod - a rod that transmits forces to the piston;
- guides - parts that ensure the alignment of the body and the rod, the absence of backlashes and gaps;
- lubrication system – prevents wear of mechanical elements;
- the rod attachment is the second fixation point.
As you may have noticed, this design is very similar to that of a shock absorber, except that there is no return spring.
Selection rules
The hood shock absorber is a part with a low level of complexity. And the requirements placed on her are not high. But there are still some selection criteria.
The first point is the frequency of use. Some drivers open the hood of their car very often, others less often. This factor plays an important role when selecting a shock absorber. This is where you need to think about durability.
Also, before purchasing, it would be useful to study the technical capabilities of a particular car. When choosing, you should check the length of the product when compressed and expanded - hoods differ from each other in length and weight. It is considered more effective to install shock absorbers on the hood in pairs. Many cars are equipped with vibration isolation. The weight of such hoods is greater than it might seem at first glance. Two racks will be able to distribute the load more evenly.
It is better to look at the required length in technical documents.
It should indicate everything about any mechanisms and parts that are used in this model. The same applies to the hood stop. The wrong choice can result in incorrect operation or breakdown.
It is included in the kit?
The delivery set consists of hood shock absorbers, brackets for attaching them to body parts, installation instructions and the necessary fasteners. When choosing stops, you need to pay attention to the quality of the paint used and the galvanization of the metal. You can ask for information from both the shock absorber seller and the manufacturer. Finished products are offered by various companies, which provides a wide range of parts on the market.
About the features of operation
When using these products in winter, it is not recommended to suddenly open the hood without making sure that the car has actually warmed up to operating temperatures. If the shock absorber is of a liquid type, it is necessary to open the hood as smoothly as possible.
This is necessary so that the liquid overflows as slowly as possible.
If the element mounted on the trunk is quite tight, then the hood shock absorber should be softer. This can be explained by the fact that during loading the trunk lid may accidentally close and cause serious harm to the car owner.
How is the installation done?
Depending on the car model, design features of the hood and engine compartment, there are several options for equipping it with gas struts:
- Installing one stop is done if the hood weight is small, the opening mechanisms are reliable, and do not have significant backlash. In this case, increased demands are placed on the quality of manufacturing of the stop.
- Installation of two stops promotes uniform distribution of forces, easy and symmetrical opening without distortions.
Some differences are possible in the choice of supporting surfaces. The stop body is usually fixed on the hood (although “upside down” options are also possible), but the following can act as the lower attachment point:
- shock absorber struts;
- stiffening rib;
- wings;
- other elements depending on the car model.
The installation process begins with calculations, drawing up a work project, washing and cleaning operations. Then auxiliary fastening elements (“ears”) are installed on the supporting surfaces. They are often secured using threaded connections, but sometimes welding may be required. After this, they proceed directly to fixing the stops, centering them, setting them up and checking their operation.
Despite its apparent simplicity, installation of gas stops is a responsible and complex task that must be performed by an experienced craftsman. If you need the installation of gas stops for a car hood in St. Petersburg, contact the specialists of our company - they will quickly and efficiently complete all the work.
Types of hood shock absorbers
Like any other parts and assemblies, these products are also classified. Thus, devices are divided according to the type of damping and the working substance inside the shock absorber. There are hydraulic and gas products.
So, the gas shock absorber for the hood is of high quality and service life. In general, they are the most durable. This device can easily last even longer than the car itself. In this case, there will not be even the slightest reason for repairs. Naturally, all this is available only with proper use. Another advantage of gas is that it is much less dependent on temperature changes. You have to pay for all this. The gas hood shock absorber is the most expensive of all.
Oil systems have the lowest price. However, their main disadvantage is the fear of frost.
In cold weather, opening the hood will be very difficult, and in summer there is a risk of injury, since the hydraulic fluid is compressed and cannot support the weight of the metal for too long.
There is also a distinction between gas and oil equipment. These devices have an optimal price and quality. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of the two types of products listed above. Despite this, a hood shock absorber of this design is widely used on expensive foreign cars and domestic cars.
Speaking of damping, in the case of oil models it is hydraulic. Hydraulic fluid slows down the movement of the rod, and it should only be directed downwards.
Installing hood shock absorbers
Shock absorber kits are created for each specific model and make of car, taking into account its technical characteristics. Their installation is carried out in standard places provided by the manufacturer, so the car owner does not have to violate the protective layer of body paint and the integrity of the metal. The installation process does not take much time - if you have a set of necessary tools, you will have to spend about 15-30 minutes. The gaps between the body elements after installing the shock absorbers remain unchanged - this parameter is given special attention in the production of stops.
Before direct installation, the stop is tried on in the engine compartment to make sure that it fits there and does not interfere with the opening/closing process. Owners of new cars that are not equipped with hood shock absorbers can purchase ready-made kits that include brackets, nuts and bolts. The consumer needs to select the required kit based on certain criteria.
To determine the length of the Nissan hood shock absorber, suitable holes are found in the car wing and the inner surface of the hood and the distance between them is measured. Due to the stop being too long, the opening angle of the hood will be very large, which is not always convenient.
How to install shock absorbers on the hood?
There will be no difficulties with installing these stops. You may need some free time and some experience with power tools. So, for such tuning you should purchase a pair of gas stops. If this is a VAZ car, then you need to know that equipment from the 10 series is not suitable for older models - they warp the hood. Next, you need to prepare nuts and washers for the “13” key. You will need two keys “for 13”. An electric drill and an 8 mm drill will also come in handy. And finally, enamel and a little bitumen.
To install a hood shock absorber (including VAZ 2109), the first step is to lift the hood and prop it up with an annoying “poker”. Then, you need to make the markings for drilling holes as accurately, clearly and correctly as possible. This step requires maximum care.
The holes should be approximately 53 cm from the left and right edges, and there should be approximately 31 cm between the holes. This is an approximate value due to the fact that every hood is different.
Next, the stops are screwed in turn.
This project does not solve the problem of smooth and independent opening of the hood. It just holds the lid. To solve the problem of correct discovery, you will need to conduct several experiments.
There is an important point in this work - when working alone, it is recommended to first fix the stops on the hood and only then attach them to the body. This is one of the simplest and most affordable installation methods. There is no need to select or make adapters for shock absorbers: the hood stops are perfectly mounted under the seats of the struts in the engine compartment.
For classic VAZ models, it is recommended to use not two, but one shock absorber.
Some are even sure that two stops will tear off the trunk lid. On classic models, the emphasis is placed in the place of that same poker. But the hole in the engine compartment is drilled out a little, and then tightened with a “13” nut. After the installation is completed, you can enjoy a high-quality result.
Design
They have a discreet design. In fact, you shouldn’t expect anything spectacular from them, since they are always under the hood anyway. However, they fit perfectly into the engine compartment, so they look like standard mechanisms. Over time, their appearance may deteriorate, but there is nothing to worry about, since it is enough to just wipe them with a cloth previously soaked in alcohol or solvents.
After this, all remaining oil and dirt will be removed, and the hood stops will sparkle like new.
