I'm shopping around to replace my weak hood supports. It looks the oem ones are around $80 for a pair, while others can be much cheaper. Is it worth it to shell out for the oem pair or in this application does it really matter? Possible recommendations from those who have replaced their supports?

 

I'm also interested in peoples opinions on this. I have to replace mine too and I just saw some that are going for 20$ on amazon..

 

rockauto sells the OEM ones for 15 bucks.
L and R are interchangeable, so it doesnt list left and right.
just buy two.

 

https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,c...TL%2B3.2L%2BV6

 

My 2 cents, from empirical evidence, don't try to get the cheapest ones if you live somewhere where it gets really cold.
Good friend of mine replaced his Mazda 6 trunk shocks by $15 OEM-like ones and in the winter when it gets under freezing point his shocks are not only weak, but it makes the trunk harder to open than if they weren't there. As if suction kept him from opening the trunk.

 

I ended up with getting them from Rock Auto about 6 months ago and have not had any issues. Replacement was an easy DIY fix.

 

+1 for rock auto
I've heard many people going with strongarm also.

I HIGHLY recommend changing them out if they are weak or use a stick to prop the hood up when working

I've had two instances where I could have got seriously injured.
First instance was when the hood latch almost impaled my head but I saw the hood going down with my peripheral vision and stuck my hand up when it was 5 inches from impaling my head.

Second instance I almost lost my fingers when I was working on the side and saw the hood going down and quickly put my fingers about 4 inches from it being closed and kept it from slamming down.
Now that I look back I should just let it slam down and not stick my fingers in lol

 

+35484 for rock auto. I had mine replaced a few months ago and got it from there.

 

-"Mrs. Guitarplayer, how did you son die?"
-"he.... he....*sniff*... his hood latch impaled him right in the occipital lobe and severed his posterior cerebral artery after his hood shocks failed while he was working on replacing his spark plugs"

 

I thought I read somewhere the 2g TL hood supports were compatible too? Also costs less.

 

I was working on the front engine mount and now I remember I didn't stick my hand up to stop the hood.
My hands were still down the engine, I had to duck and stick my elbow up.

 

Bought mine from autozone with lifetime warranty.


Sachs/Lift Support SG326009 at AutoZone.com

 

Thanks for all the input guys.
This is why I'm in the market for a set. After driving some friends home, they left the rear dome light and I didn't notice. When I went to go drive the next day, it had killed my battery. I called a friend and when he came to jump me I forgot they were weak and the hood latch came down into my back. Luckily I wasn't completely hunched over or that it was my friend.

 

choose your store to get it from!
either rockauto or autozone!

rockauto sells them for 13 dollars each and you can find 5% coupons on the interwebz

 

The RockAuto ones don't look like they're OEM though. When you go in "more info" it says they are SACHS hood lifts. Are those OK?

 

I just ordered the Sachs ones from autozone. It seems like everyone on the thread either got them from rockauto or autozone.

 

Sachs is the one I bought.

 

am i missing something here??

oem = sachs

 

rock auto clearly sells the oem SACH's hood struts for $13.xx each.

 

My OEM ones say Stabilus and Stabilus is Sach's

 

That settles it then. They're 110$ here in Canada. They come out to below 80$ after shipping from Rockauto.

 

holy hell.

 

'Merica

 

??

They come out at $40 in Canada from RockAuto.

 

holy hell

 

Noticed it's not the same part # between 2006 and 2004 model. Preeeeetty sure both are interchangeable, because... really?

 

most likely the type-s has a different part # as well, but all of them will fit the TL.

as the hood didnt change and the mounting points are the same

 

Maybe the Type S shocks are made of a lighter component and spring harder... racecar.

 

 

Wait it came out to 80$ on my computer. Somethings not right.

How do you get ground (consolidated) as your shipping method? The cheapest method I have is priority mail at 42$...

Ok well the 2004-2005 hood lifts can be shipped using ground (consolidated). The 2006 can't. That's dumb.

 

Cause they're in another warehouse it seems. If I was you, I would just get the 04-05 ones since they are virtually the same for all models.

 

My car is an 05, I was looking at the 2006 ones because they were the ones linked earlier in the thread. I ordered the 2004-2005 ones. They are also in an outlying warehouse so I really don't know why the shipping methods aren't the same.

Ohh well.

 

Taking a quick glance at this thread, I've noticed most people recommending the OEM part, which is made by Sachs (Stabilus owned). Yes, it might be a little cheaper than StrongArm, but HEAR ME OUT.

I'd like to take a different approach. My hood struts fail in anything below 50 degrees. I went the aftermarket route.

I highly, highly recommend you go with StrongArm 4160 hood supports, available on Amazon; I just installed them last week actually. Yes, they're $19.33 each, but I had Prime 2 day shipping, so roughly under $40, for FAR superior struts.

These lift the hood up much easier (the strut itself is made of better quality materials) , and make it a little harder to close the hood, which is a GOOD thing. You can use a good amount of force while pushing down, and won't have to worry about slamming the hood closed.

Also, noticed you guys talking about different part numbers up there for different years of TL. I had to do my fair share of research when I had to replace, and I've concluded that they all fit. 04-08. Strongarm 4160 was made for 2G and 3G TL's . I have an 07 TL-S, np with fitment.

For your convenience, here's a video on how to replace hood struts (easier than rotating your tires):

 

I know I'll be getting the StrongArm ones.

They keep popping up in these threads.

 

You said the 4160 was made for both 2G and 3G, but there is a 6351 on amazon for the 3G. I know where splitting hairs over dollars now, but if I'm understanding what you're saying, these are the same thing?

 

I replaced these just last month.

I have a 2008 TL and purchased two lift supports from RockAuto. The ones mentioned by "justnspace" above are the exact units I ordered (SACHS Part#: SG365001) and cost me $13.66 each + $9.23 for shipping on both.

Sachs are Stabilus brand and the lift supports I received look identical to the stock units that came off my car and are also branded Stabilus like the originals.

I recently received an email from RockAuto with a 5% discount code to apply towards another purchase. However I don't have any need at the moment, so feel free and use this code on your next RockAuto order if you like. Code is: 2853957426268499


How to Use A Discount Code

Enter the code above in the "How Did You Hear About Us?" space on the checkout page (above your payment information). Do not enter any other text in that space or the discount will not apply. Click the "Apply" button and your discount will be subtracted from your parts order total.


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The discount takes 5% off our already-low prices. There's no limit on order size or the number of orders. Use the code for your next order, and share the code with anyone you know who works on cars or trucks.

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Thanks again for buying your auto parts at RockAuto!

 

mine were fine in the summer, when i took the car cover off to start it after being stored the shocks were WEAK - the hood wouldn't stay up! i recently upgraded to a carbon hood and now i have no more issues lol =]

 

Just replaced mine today with StrongArms today bought from Amazon, about $39-$40 shipped. Holy hell, these things are strong. After one was replaced, I was moving onto the second one and it pretty much still held up without anything. Also made me lose my grip upon closing and it sprung back up. I'd definitely recommend the StrongArms

 

I received the stabilus (Sachs) arms today, exactly 1 week after ordering them (very good shipping time for Canada standards).

They are very strong. If you have your hood opened 50-70% of the way and you let go the hood actually springs back up instead of falling down.

Installation was a breeze, no tools required, you simply rotate the upper part of one of the arms in order to have a left and a right one.

10/10

 

Everything Hype-S is lighter and stronger.