Fitted a pair of factory new engine hood gas struts on my 348 circa late 2010. Have only had the engine bay lid up less than half a dozen times since and have done less than 1k (or 600 miles). Lifted the lid at the weekend and they failed to stay up. Duh! What a disappointment. I've heard of the glovebox lid gas struts failing but this is ridiculous for a factory part item. And before you suggest that engine bay heat is the cause - I refute that, given the low mileage done since fitting them.
This is typical for these struts. Rock-Auto should carry an almost direct replacement for less than the Ferrari part, but they also supposedly fail after a year or so. One of those things I guess. I just let mine hit me on the head, it's great fun. Also remember reading that the more you exercise them the longer they last.
My 355 had the struts replace with the prior owner over 3 years ago. To date they work fine and I open the hood probably about 10-15 times a year or less. Having said this they will probably die today.
I just replaced mine (trunk and hood) about 2 weeks ago. They are still working well. When I pulled out my glove box strut and replaced it,,, I turned the shaft on the old one and worked it a bit. It seemed like it bounced back to life. Someone else suggested "bending" the glove box strut a bit and that would keep it up. I wonder if doing that to the trunk struts would garner the same benefit? Although, I've yet to figure out how to put a slight bend in the darn thing. Don't grasp it near the end or you'll break off the mount... (or nearly break it off like I did)
I replaced my 348 hood struts when I first bought the car. When I sold it 3 years later, they still worked. I bought some cheap stuff off ebay for about $28. As usual, cheap aftermarket parts out-perform Ferrari factory parts!
Tom, any issues with "too much upforce" on the aftermarket struts? There are lots of posts about the non-oem parts having too much force. Dave Helms suggested replacing one with OEM and one non-OEM to even out the force. David
Do a quick search on FChat. Someone posted alternative strut part #'s at one time. I replaced my struts with one of these suggested alternatives (also made by Stabilus) 2 yrs ago and they're still going strong. Sourced 'em from Rockauto.com. I think they're actually from a Ford Focus or Volvo (I really don't remember). They were initially stiffer than stock (the hood would almost fly open when I pulled the release) but they've since broken in nicely. Now that they've been on my car for a while, they behave pretty much the same way that OEM struts behave when new. If someone doesn't beat me to the punch, I can post part #'s when I get home later tonight.
I had heard the same thing, but truthfully didn't have an issue. That said, I was very careful putting the hood down when the struts were new until they broke in.
I think this is the ones you are referencing. The Sach supports (SG404018) are the same as for a 2002 FORD FOCUS.
I did not have that problem. But I did buy them specific to the application, not just the specified length. In other words, they were sold as replacement 348 engine lid struts. I can also say that I replaced the struts in my 355, from the same vendor, when I bought it, and they are also a perfect fit. The lid may go up a little faster, but it feels like it should be very close to stock pressure. Of course, I don't really know since I have never owner a Ferrari with working struts!
take a look at this thread. http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=365062&highlight=engine+lid+struts
When it's warm, the engine cover can pop up pretty fast, so I pull the lever with my left hand while using my right hand to cushion the upward trajectory of the lid. Someone once mentioned possible hinge damage ( I think it was Dave Helms..), didn't want that.
I used the Rockauto.com sachs replacements, and they worked great for the three years I had the car after installing them. I think they were around $27 each way back then. BT
I too installed new struts on my 348 and have had no trouble for over 2 years. From past experience with other cars I installed them with the shaft side down. This way less dirt and grime will build up on the shaft and less likely to harm the seals causing premature failure.
Thanx for the commentary/advice guys. Looks like a lot of luck is attached to having good or bad performing struts. I am paranoid about keeping my car authentic but maybe the factory replacement parts are indeed not good. I might try opening the lid more often as suggested. That's easy to do on a garage queen....lol. By the way, my glove box lid strut is still working after replacing it a couple of years ago.
What a shame, you should have fitted the Sach ones I fit to my 348. 3 yrs and still working perfectly.
Fitted the new Ferrari factory part engine lid struts to my 348 at the weekend (sorry no pics guys). When fitting them, I got to thinking - which way do they go, up or down and which way do they bolt on - inwards or outwards. I decided to have a look at the many internet pics I have downloaded of the 348 engine bay and I was astounded to see that a lot of the cars have the struts actually fitted wrongly. This could be an owner mistake or a dealer/mechanic one when maybe doing an engine out service and taking off the engine bay lid and replacing. Anyways, rang my Ferrari mechanic and he consulted the manual. The struts are fitted with the thick cylinder part upwards and the thin stalk downwards. Also. they are fitted with the nuts on the outside facing each side panel of the car. Check out how yours are fitted. You may be surprised. This is a tricky one - a bit like putting the wheels on the wrong way/direction (check the threads). Hope this helps.
