Hood Struts - Life expectancy

I replaced my 355 hood struts 5 years ago and they still work great. When new they would spring the hood up automatically, but now I have to pop it then lift it manually but it stays up just fine.

 

I used a couple I got from Advance Auto. Cheapos but work great! Cost like 10 bucks a piece. They are stronger, so you only need to install one. But it lifts perfectly. Granted only been using it for 6 months. But at that cost, not a problem.

2 Front Hood Lift Supports Shocks Struts Arms Props Rods Rods Damper | eBay

 

Get a heated garage! Kidding aside, they should not die that quickly but low (or very high) temps is what often kills these prematurely. FIY, I just replaced mine and the old ones were from 1990 and still worked well in weather >40F.

 

These work for both front and rear.

Amazon.com: Sachs SG404018 Lift Support: Automotive

 

I got the number from the cross ref list. They are stronger so, yes, you only need one. I bought 4, so now I have 2 waiting. When the car is cold they auto lift about 1 ft but once I lift it up it stays. Once it's warm it raises all the way at a normal rate and slowly stops at the top. In other words, it doesn't slam up.

 

Interesting find George.

Here's a quick video I took post install of the Sachs I listed above. Installing one doesn't lift the rear. Both are required. Sometimes, I feel as if it slaps slightly up, but they work.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-KNItSJQ3I&list=UUBdAaAt_nFK_yvaDe7gzGfg&feature=share]348 engine hood struts. - YouTube[/ame]

 

That is the way it is supposed to work. Mine is a little slower at the top but still smooth. The SACH are probable better but I figure if I have to replace them every year or two then why not make it cheap. When I bought the car, the owner said he had just replaced them 6 month before and they didn't work! The Stablis ones are crap from what I've read but they are OEM. If something works, I have no problem using it.

I love being able to keep a Ferrari working perfectly on a budget, nothing is deferred.

 

I went out to my car and looked at the part number. 4048 from Advance Auto. It takes one for the front and one for the back. They sell them on Ebay for about 10 buck a piece. After 6 months still doesn't hit me in the head. Annual replacement is cost effective. I would still like to see how long they last though.

 

Mine are three years old and ready for replacement...and I do have a heated garage kept at 55 or higher all winter

from the cross reference sticky:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/140720073-post2.html

 

Mine are 18 years old. You have to pull the lid up when its cooler than 60 degrees, but when the motor is warm it pops up all by itself.

 

Just to throw a spanner in the works of the warm versus cold theory, I live in Dubai and replaced mine with Sachs ones and they've only lasted about five years. As the coldest it gets here is about 15 degrees C in winter at night, it seems it might be pot luck with the struts, rather than weather related. Not sure that helps, but hey ho.

 

How about the little struts for glovebox and arm rest. Are there any low cost alternatives? Mine are completely shot.

As far as temperature. I used to work in auto industry and one of our divisions made "gas springs" as they call these in the trade and I remember specifically discussing this with their engineers and seeing durability testing that consisted of hot/cold cycles. So I do think heat cycles aids in premature wear.

 

Install them upside down to last longer. I get about 2-3 years out of a set Forget the glove box one they last about a week.

 

By upside down you mean thick end on top correct? This is how mine were mounted from factory anyway and reason is so the oil can pool on the bottom lubricating the shaft and o-rings.

 

Yes, exactly. Ernie says its so the gas doesn't leak out. :|

 

I only use genuine Ferrari OEM hood struts. Using those cheap ones could harm your Ferrari and affect the resale value.