Replacement 355 hood supports?

Sounds good. I know just the person to do so. I can't imagine given the small size that S&H would be very high.

 

Thanks Dave. One of the local automotive guys has also ordered a bunch of them, and I'm checking to see when they will arrive and what the estimate is. But either way, $37.48 sounds very reasonable.

 

Anybody have the number to Ferrari Parts in Modena? The number quoted above seems to be dialing into a fax.

Thx.

 

We have about 10 of the OEM Ferrari hood struts in stock (62175300) and are priced at £17.50 each + shipping.

http://www.customferrariparts.com/homemainferrari.htm

They are listed in the miscellaneous section of the site.


Cheers

Paul

 

Really sorry -- number is + 39 059 280 009

my mistake.

RF.

 

Thanks guys - I believe a colleague of mine is picking a few up, but if not, I'll order through you Paul.

 

You are correct....my further research finds that Sachs is the North American distributor for Stabilus struts. The Sachs part number for the 355/348 engine lid and front hood struts is SG437007. I purchased them from rockauto.com for $26.79 each...plus $4.01 each for shipping....saved about $10 each versus buying from my local dealer and paying sales tax. BTW, when ordering from Rockauto.com, they do not show a listing for the 355, just use the 348, since they use the same struts. I just installed mine...they are identical in every way to the oem factory Stabilus ones (except for having fresher date codes printed on them). My front hood stays up much better now.

 

I regassed the originals lifts. Six months and counting. cost like 25USD per strut and had them back in less than 7 days. Company that charged them was called Lift Technologies. I will try to find the tel number.

 

For about $31 each delivered, I would rather just have new, with all new seals, springs, etc.

 

Okay recently bought some of the Stabilus SG404018 lift struts (oem for the 2002 Ford Focus) mentioned in another thread. Bought them from www.rockauto.com for less than $30 for the pair delivered. These are Stabilus brand, the same as oem Ferrari factory ones, but differ in the following ways:

1) These are stronger (good thing) rated at 465N versus 400N

2) They are made domestically in North Carolina (manufacture dates on the strut were 2006, and the dates on the outer packaging were Jan 2007)

3) They have a new style black plastic cups, rather than the original metal ones. But they also use a new black metal clip that makes installation and removal much easier than fiddling with the wire securing loop that the oem Stabilus (German made) ones had.

4) They have a 17.5mm piston, rather than the 15.5mm piston on the oem struts.

Unless placed side by side, they otherwise look identical. Even in my cold garage, the lid rises immediately upon release of the latch. Interestingly, they have a damped braking action during the last bit of travel and slow way down on the last inch of travel (kind of neat).

I will be curious if these last any longer than the last set (28 months). My last set was noticeably weak in cold weather after only 12 months of use. Though last summer they would work well on a warm day with a hot engine, rising readily, much like these new one do.

 

BTW, I think these SG404018 gas struts would be just the ticket for the heavy front hood. Though the front hood struts don't wear very quickly (I replaced mine in late 2005 and the ones removed were original to the car with 1997 production dates). Even with new ones, it doesn't take much of a gust of wind to start the hood closing.

 

Good find on the Sachs equivalent P/N's, I've been looking all over for a replacement. My question is, which is better for the engine cover? SG404018 or SG437007? The '018's are half the price but higher force, I'd like to just buy four of those and be done with it (replace hood and engine).

Thanks!

 

Dave,

In contrast to the 355, your experience with your 328 was that the struts did not actually lift the hood from the closed (but unlatched) position, but rather they held the hood up once you lifted it up?

 

YES

 

Jay, I am uncertain at the moment. My only concern is in the summer with a hot engine is that engine lid going to go flying open! I would recommend buying four, install two in the front, and one in the rear (leave one of the old ones on, as the one new one will not hold the lid up, and make things uneven to boot). I noticed with one replaced it popped up about 18 inches, then stopped. I lifted it the rest of the way and it stayed up fine. If things aren't fast enough in the back, install the second one.

 

RockAuto has the #SG404018 on sale right now for $9.83 each!!!!!!!!!

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/catalog.php

 

Is this the PN for all four for a 355 Spider?

 

The front and rear lids use the same part. The number given above is for an OEM equivalent not what came originally with the car. They are made by the same manufacturer, but have a couple minor differences in dimensions, and they are a bit stronger in gas/spring pressure. They look almost identical, and most would be hard pressed to see a difference without careful inspection. Ultimately they work and last about the same as the original equipment ones. The difference in price is accounted for that they are made for a Ford Focus, thus avoiding the "Ferrari Tax" as my friend and fellow 355 owner likes to call it.

 

BTW, it has now been 20 months since I first installed the "Ford Focus" Stabilus struts....when cold (like in my garage in the fall right now) they do not raise the lid immediately when I release the latch...but if I lift the lid, they stay up just fine. When the engine is warm, the lid rises immediately and by itself. I think these may in fact end up lasting a bit longer than the oem ones...time will tell. But even if they crap out after 28 months like the stock ones, at only $30 delivered, it is a big savings over oem.

 

Thanks Robbie!! I just ordered a set. Sad fact is I just bought an oem set (ON SALE) for $75.00 about a month ago. Atleast I have four new replacements when the time comes. It was a great deal ($26.00 and change) to the door for two!!!!

 

I posted this in the 355 section also-I think about 5 guys oredered them also...

 

I used Lift Support Technologies on my Mondial t....have been very pleased.

Just tell them to leave off their little "warranty" sticker, and you will have everything looking 100% original.

Do a search in the 308/328/Mondial section on Lift Support Technologies.

 

For $13 each, I would rather have new. As I posted above, the replacements look almost identical to the original equipment ones, and are even made by the same manufacturer (Sachs/Stabilus). No down time either, waiting for yours to be returned from the rebuilder.

 

That IS an inexpensive solution, for sure. I decided it was worth a bit more to stay original

Either is an option -- dependent on preference.

 

I'm tired of my hoods banging me in the head and appreciate a solution that is reasonably priced!!! Thanks Robbie!