rich9

Hello,

Does anyone know how to install Acura TL hood struts. Mine have just failed on me. These are the small shock absorbers that keep the hood open.
Any help or comments are appreciated.

Thanks for your time.

fsttyms1

They are very simple to install. I dont have my car here to be exactly sure but if i remember right there is a little metal tab you pull out with a screw driver while puling out on the strut. Pop the hood and look at them, you will see.

rich9

Hello,
I had checked that it is part number 74145 S0k A011.
And I use a 12 mm wrench to remove from the portion mounted to the car hood frame.
Is a 12 mm nut wrench all that is needed to attach to the hood also.
Do you need to remove black hood felt.
Or does the threaded nut bolt go straight into hood.

Thanks.

Razzi

does anyone know where i can find the hood dampers, the shock things, that are not as powerful as the oem ones, like way less power, i need some for my carbon fiber hood and have had no luck.

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

You do not need to remove the part that is attached to the hood. I guess you could and make it a little easier.

You do not need to remove the hood felt.
There are two black clips that hold the strut onto that knob on the hood. Remove the two clips and the struts will come off. Oh and watch your head for falling hoods.

oVerBoost

i agree. No need for any tools except for a flathead screwdriver to pry the metal tabs. Just look at how the shock attaches to he hood and the body. It's pretty much just snapped on and held in by those tabs.

rich9

Hello,
I see a cylindrical portion about 3/8 inch by 1.25 inches attached to the hood.
It has horizontal and vertical slots. These are about 1mm by 3 mm. Are these where I am suppose to pry with flat head screwdriver.
Is it the vertical, the one that is parallel to the shaft that I need to pry.

Thanks for any help and suggestions.

fsttyms1

Look at the ends of the strut. You will see at the ends there is a piece that has a little indentation for a flathead screw driver. Slide one under it and pry out. It doenst take much force to to so. Once pried out about a 1/4 inch the hood strut will slide off its mount. (while its pried out, you will have to hold it out and pull on the strut at the same time)

rich9

Hello,
Is the top portion, the ball joint that is attached to the hold bolted on to the hood via
12 mm nut connection.

And the bottom end, which is attached to the car body, the clip connection.
This is where you insert a flat head screw driver.
Also, is this insertion perpendicular to the piston shaft or parallel.

Thanks for any help.

fsttyms1

There is one on Each end of the strut. There is nothing to unbolt.

Look at the ends. You will see a a notch cut into the side of the strut. You will see a black metal thing that you can insert a screw driver under. That is where you pry it out.

6MTUA5

iTrader: (2)

Well, I remember seeing these the other day but can't seem to find them now.
Here's the site that I think I remember seeing them on -- http://www.usa.com/store/catalog/.

rich9

Thank to everyone for your help. The screwdriver was used for a quick and painless intall.

Razzi

i hope this is a joke cause im not having any luck.
sorry to the OP for threadjacking

wildcat71

check with napa autoparts, they list a universal "lift support". i was there (at my local napa) and they list one that is a 35lb support, as opposed to the OE that is 120lb support. measurement was for a 14" long "lift support" hope this helps

michael61182

what year is your TL? I'm trying to first of all find replacement struts, I've looked everywhere except for the dealer. Second, I cant find any clips to remove the stuts. I've removed the bolts from the hood and the bottom

fsttyms1

Go to the dealer. You will have a hard time else where.

LOOK at the ends of the hood struts near the ball. You should see a clip that is flush with it. You "don't" remove any bolts.

acurasienz

I have 2004 TL and I am looking to buy the struts/Hood Lift Supports now.

Is there such a thing as Left and Right for the struts/Hood Lift Supports? Or i just need to buy 2 of the struts, it does not matter left/right.

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/rafr...429130k1808028

Thanks

4stl

1999 TL hood strut can be bought at Autozone PN E95344. $17.99 each. I called Autozone at 8:30 AM and they had to get them from thier distribution center and I got the struts at 6 PM the same day and it took 10 minutes to install. The Acura dealer wanted $50 each.

Pry the clips out and take out strut. Remember to lube the ball joints when installing new struts.

jdjohn84

^x2 Advanced Auto Parts, O'Reilly, Pep Boys, they all have them and they are pretty universal. And you only need the pry the metal bands to take them off. The new ones can just be popped on without loosening the bands. Just watch yo head! Now if only these cars had under hood lights installed.

jdjohn84

^x2 Advanced Auto Parts, O'Reilly, Pep Boys, they all have them and they are pretty universal. And you only need the pry the metal bands to take them off. The new ones can just be popped on without loosening the bands. Just watch yo head! Now if only these cars had under hood lights installed.

Mr. Maker

iTrader: (4)

what a painful thread.

Hitlayers

This may be the problem I'm having, put the new struts on in a matter of seconds then the hood wouldn't close, do you HAVE to lube the ball joints?

friesm2000

iTrader: (4)

not really, but lubing does not hurt though, and helps prevent any potential sqeacking and such down the line

and when you get the hood down most of the way, the weight should overcome the struts and kinda self close and stay down


anyways where did you get your new ones??? they may be too long

fsttyms1

They shouldnt need to be lubed. If the hood isnt closing they arent installed properly (kinda unlikely) or they are the wrong ones. Does the hood come down just wont go down all the way? or cant you get it to close at all from full up?

Hitlayers

fsttyms1, only one of the struts will not allow the hood to come down, the other new one works fine, seems to be seized, cant even push it in. Probably going to send it back.

fsttyms1

Yea, send it back.

webmastir

Anyone know of a cheap place to get these from for my '03 TL?

The cheapest AutoZone has 'em for is $32/piece. So you're looking at 64$+ tax in my state (TN) - so close to 70$

I checked acuraautomotiveparts.org, which has em for 24$/piece, but if you add in shipping costs, it's at $66+

I can keep using pieces of wood to prop & keep my hood open when working on it. I was just thinking it'd be a bit cheaper to fix

Also, is this the only part I need (#13): which is 74145-S0K-A02?

TheMightyQuinn

Rockauto has them for $16.03 for the Strongarm brand and $18.17 for the Rhinopac. There's shipping charges though, but easy to find 5% off coupons online and possibly no sales tax.

webmastir

Ah...fuckin right! Thanks man

Great find

nevTL

Yes, all you need is #13, I made the mistake of buying #21 as well, but didn't end up needing it. Super easy to install.

TheMightyQuinn

Yep, super easy. This was my first "mod".

TerpNation

is this same for 04 tl?