HOOD STRUTS

[cgrosse]

Well my 4.6is bit me good this time....cleaning out dead leaves with the hood open in the driveway and a breeze came along and BAM!!!! the hood SLAMS shut on FOUR fingers on my hand....OOOOOOUUUUWWWWWW! Now I'm stuck with my hand in a closed hood and no one around to reach the hood release! Well to make a long story short I FINALLY did get rescued by my son. After x-rays thankfully no bones were broken but days later it still is throbbing! Guys test your E53 hood struts to be sure they are good!

[tmv]

Ouch! wishing you a speedy recovery.

[cn90]

I have a 2005 Volvo XC90 with similar issues.

You have 3 options:

1. Replace the Stabilus struts, but there is no warranty a strong wind gust won't slam it shut.

2. Get an old broomstick and cut to length, leave it in the trunk to prop the hood. But wind may do the same thing (wind may sway the hood a bit, then the broom stick falls off).

3. Now, see this XC90 mod using chopstick and zip tie....It is FREE.
With this setup, it is easy, and bullet-proof. The chopstick locks the strut in place:

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...ic.php?t=64466

[cn90]

Another ghetto trick is:
- Old rubber hose and vise-grips (store it in the trunk etc.).
- Wrap a bit of rubber around the strut rod, then use vise-grip to bite.

This is a very effective trick...

[g300d]

Holy crap, good you didnt break anything man.

Got tired of that and put in replacement struts already. It actually takes effort to close the hood now lol. Im still not used to not having to hold the hood up with one hand anymore.

[upallnight]

That old saying never get under a car with just the jack from your car should also include never get under a hood with bad hood struts.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by upallnight

That old saying never get under a car with just the jack from your car should also include never get under a hood with bad hood struts.

[Dickster]

Ouch! Glad you're ok

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by cn90

I have a 2005 Volvo XC90 with similar issues.

You have 3 options:

1. Replace the Stabilus struts, but there is no warranty a strong wind gust won't slam it shut.

2. Get an old broomstick and cut to length, leave it in the trunk to prop the hood. But wind may do the same thing (wind may sway the hood a bit, then the broom stick falls off).

3. Now, see this XC90 mod using chopstick and zip tie....It is FREE.
With this setup, it is easy, and bullet-proof. The chopstick locks the strut in place:

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...ic.php?t=64466

Another really good solution is to get hood strut lock tool that snap-on, Matco tools, cornwell tools sell to technicians.

[upallnight]

I use a telescoping car wash brush to prop a hood with weak struts.