Pneumatic hood will not stay open... DANGEROUS

[CZroe]

My sister's 1996 Ford Taurus does not have a rod to prop the hood open... it has those pressurized cylinder things on either end that keep it lifted until you lower it and overwhelm it with weight... or, rather, it's supposed to.

She recently obtained the car so we were not aware of it the probem when it nearly came down on my head after staying open for a few minutes. Luckily, my sister was standing right there. I don't know what makes the difference (temperature? humidity?), but some days it will stay up for a few minutes and others it will not stay up for even a moment.

The hood will not pop up when you pull the lever either... you have to pull it up with all of your fingernails, which is even more difficult because the edge is always tucked under a rubber seal that it is supposed to be flush with. Even if I push the rubber seal back in place first it still will not pop up, so I'm sure it's all related to those things on either side that are supposed to keep it up (slowing the descent will keep it from slamming and getting under the rubber seal; being pressurized will help it pop up when the hood is released).

Would greasing the rods that go into them help them maintain pressure or will it only make it worse? Do they cost much to replace? How do such dangerous technologies make it into cars without proving themselves?!

 

[Vette73]

Just replace the hood shocks, they are not serviceable.


Check out rockauto.com or eBay

 

[sdifox]

The same car that has tranny problems???

 

[sjwaste]

Replace the hood struts if you're that concerned. Greasing the rods or whatever may or may not help, but if the cylinders have given up their gas and/or the piston seal is shot, replacement is the answer. For most applications, this is $20-30 per strut.

If you need to work on the car and don't have time to replace, use a broomstick for your own safety. I've used one of the half-sized, L-shaped tire irons that came with my car to hold it open, using the mounting points of the hood struts as leverage before. I take no responsibility for you hurting yourself, though.

 

[CZroe]

Thanks. If it's just one that needs to be replaced, how can I tell? If both do, can I get away with replacing just one?

Originally posted by: sdifox
The same car that has tranny problems???

Yes. It made it very hard to check and replace fluids.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: CZroe
Thanks. If it's just one that needs to be replaced, how can I tell? If both do, can I get away with replacing just one?

Originally posted by: sdifox
The same car that has tranny problems???

Yes. It made it very hard to check and replace fluids.

Rope is your friend

Just replace both, should not be all that hard. Assuming you want to keep the car.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Option A: Replace shocks
Option B: broomstick
Option C: take off your hood

 

[CZroe]

Thanks.

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
Option A: Replace shocks
Option B: broomstick
Option C: take off your hood

Option C is cheapest and doesn't waste a perfectly good broom.

 

[Mermaidman]

Originally posted by: CZroe
Pneumatic hood will not stay open... DANGEROUS

Originally posted by: CZroe
Thanks. If it's just one that needs to be replaced, how can I tell? If both do, can I get away with replacing just one?

Hmm . . . I dunno

It's easy and cheap to replace both, so why take the chance?

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: Mermaidman

Originally posted by: CZroe
Pneumatic hood will not stay open... DANGEROUS

Originally posted by: CZroe
Thanks. If it's just one that needs to be replaced, how can I tell? If both do, can I get away with replacing just one?

Hmm . . . I dunno

It's easy and cheap to replace both, so why take the chance?

$60 for something that should not fail or else they have no excuse for using it vs. the traditional (and cheap!) rod/prop is expensive IMO. Also, it's a '96 Taurus... she's not rolling in cash! Also, in my scenarios, it would be better than it was.

I can't solve their stupid decision to go with these things before they proved themselves unsafe in the long term. I just want it to work/stay up. Anything is better/safer than it is now.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: CZroe
$60 for something that should not fail or else they have no excuse for using it vs. the traditional (and cheap!) rod/prop is expensive IMO. Also, it's a '96 Taurus... she's not rolling in cash! Also, in my scenarios, it would be better than it was.

I can't solve their stupid decision to go with these things before they proved themselves unsafe in the long term. I just want it to work/stay up. Anything is better/safer than it is now.

Buy a cheap pair of vice-grips. Open the hood. Clamp the vice grips to the piston on the gas shock right next to the shock body so it cannot retract. Simple, easy, safe, and the hood will stay open. Alternately, the handle of a croquet mallet works well.

They aren't unsafe. They've been used for decades for rear hatches on station wagons and minivans. They let the hood open farther than a traditional hood prop would as well. Still, my preference is the spring and hinge system that my Volvo uses. No prop, no gas shocks, and the hood can open past 90 degrees.

ZV

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Originally posted by: CZroe
$60 for something that should not fail or else they have no excuse for using it vs. the traditional (and cheap!) rod/prop is expensive IMO. Also, it's a '96 Taurus... she's not rolling in cash! Also, in my scenarios, it would be better than it was.

I can't solve their stupid decision to go with these things before they proved themselves unsafe in the long term. I just want it to work/stay up. Anything is better/safer than it is now.

In the "old days" cars actually had big ass springs. And some people see the gas shock thing as a sign of quality. I had a family member showing off how their Camry's hood didn't need the prop rod once. Confused me as my dad's '78 GMC didn't nor did my '80 Plymouth Champ. My Dakota's old school with the springs too

Edit:
Also, one of the major causes of those getting blown is people "forcing" them up. If you let them go up on their own they last much longer. But people are f'ing impatient sons of bitches.

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: CZroe
$60 for something that should not fail or else they have no excuse for using it vs. the traditional (and cheap!) rod/prop is expensive IMO. Also, it's a '96 Taurus... she's not rolling in cash! Also, in my scenarios, it would be better than it was.

I can't solve their stupid decision to go with these things before they proved themselves unsafe in the long term. I just want it to work/stay up. Anything is better/safer than it is now.

Buy a cheap pair of vice-grips. Open the hood. Clamp the vice grips to the piston on the gas shock right next to the shock body so it cannot retract. Simple, easy, safe, and the hood will stay open. Alternately, the handle of a croquet mallet works well.

They aren't unsafe. They've been used for decades for rear hatches on station wagons and minivans. They let the hood open farther than a traditional hood prop would as well. Still, my preference is the spring and hinge system that my Volvo uses. No prop, no gas shocks, and the hood can open past 90 degrees.

ZV

Good advice thanks... though I find it hard to argue that they are safe when I have almost been smashed against a running engine several times now. Since yesterday I've been using a curtain rod, but it's in the way.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: CZroe
though I find it hard to argue that they are safe when I have almost been smashed against a running engine several times now.

So, it happened once, you weren't smart enough to use a prop afterward, and it's the car's fault? Once is one thing, but "several times" just doesn't make sense.

Yes, it's annoying when the struts fail. But the majority of the time they don't. When was the last time you had the rear hatch of a minivan or station wagon come down on your head?

ZV

 

[SearchMaster]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: CZroe
though I find it hard to argue that they are safe when I have almost been smashed against a running engine several times now.

So, it happened once, you weren't smart enough to use a prop afterward, and it's the car's fault? Once is one thing, but "several times" just doesn't make sense.

Yes, it's annoying when the struts fail. But the majority of the time they don't. When was the last time you had the rear hatch of a minivan or station wagon come down on your head?

ZV

Heh - I had to replace the struts on my '91 Eclipse twice . I was probably one of the impatient sumbitches that pushed them too hard all the time though.

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: CZroe
though I find it hard to argue that they are safe when I have almost been smashed against a running engine several times now.

So, it happened once, you weren't smart enough to use a prop afterward, and it's the car's fault? Once is one thing, but "several times" just doesn't make sense.

Yes, it's annoying when the struts fail. But the majority of the time they don't. When was the last time you had the rear hatch of a minivan or station wagon come down on your head?

ZV

Because it sometimes stays for up to several minutes, my "help" isn't always ready or my implement has yet to prove itself. Often, I'm on my own attempting to hold it up while I do something. It's a huge pain in the ass and a hazard. The fact that I was relying on it like any user was expected to do the first time and it had every indication that it was staying up just increases the danger. Because of this, such failures should prompt a recall... unless they expect everyone has to get lucky, like me, the first time it happens to them. No one is expected to have it propped the first time or else the devices would be pointless.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: CZroe
though I find it hard to argue that they are safe when I have almost been smashed against a running engine several times now.

So, it happened once, you weren't smart enough to use a prop afterward, and it's the car's fault? Once is one thing, but "several times" just doesn't make sense.

Yes, it's annoying when the struts fail. But the majority of the time they don't. When was the last time you had the rear hatch of a minivan or station wagon come down on your head?

ZV

Because it sometimes stays for up to several minutes, my "help" isn't always ready or my implement has yet to prove itself. Often, I'm on my own attempting to hold it up while I do something. It's a huge pain in the ass and a hazard. The fact that I was relying on it like any user was expected to do the first time and it had every indication that it was staying up just increases the danger. Because of this, such failures should prompt a recall... unless they expect everyone has to get lucky, like me, the first time it happens to them. No one is expected to have it propped the first time or else the devices would be pointless.

Well shit, if you already know it is unpredictable, why not just prop it up instead of being a dumbass and expect a mechanical part to last forever. I bet you also expect warning stickers on a spatula saying it isn't safe to shove up your ass.

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: CZroe
though I find it hard to argue that they are safe when I have almost been smashed against a running engine several times now.

So, it happened once, you weren't smart enough to use a prop afterward, and it's the car's fault? Once is one thing, but "several times" just doesn't make sense.

Yes, it's annoying when the struts fail. But the majority of the time they don't. When was the last time you had the rear hatch of a minivan or station wagon come down on your head?

ZV

Because it sometimes stays for up to several minutes, my "help" isn't always ready or my implement has yet to prove itself. Often, I'm on my own attempting to hold it up while I do something. It's a huge pain in the ass and a hazard. The fact that I was relying on it like any user was expected to do the first time and it had every indication that it was staying up just increases the danger. Because of this, such failures should prompt a recall... unless they expect everyone has to get lucky, like me, the first time it happens to them. No one is expected to have it propped the first time or else the devices would be pointless.

Well shit, if you already know it is unpredictable, why not just prop it up instead of being a dumbass and expect a mechanical part to last forever. I bet you also expect warning stickers on a spatula saying it isn't safe to shove up your ass.

God I hate the Internet. No one seems to have heard of a "chicken and egg" scenario. I know it ONLY through the very dangerous experience I described. I DO prop it open... with a curtian rod. I don't always have it, it's not a long-term solution, and it's probably going to hurt someone else if I don't fix it (service station employee or something).

 

[Kelvrick]

The whole point is you know it, so fix it and don't bitch about it like it is the manufacturer's fault. This isn't some car from the factory, the part is 13 years old. How long do you expect these parts to last?

Struts on your suspension will also degrade and fail. If they go out on the car after 200k, do you also expect the manufacturer to fix it? What about brake pads and windshield wipers?

You wouldn't have gotten crap if you only came on here asking about how to fix it. Maybe you should have done a more thorough inspection before buying the car.

 

[bruceb]

Buy the new struts .. they take about 10 mins each to change at most. As to reliability on my 1999 I still have the original hood & trunk struts.
They still work fine.

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: bruceb
Buy the new struts .. they take about 10 mins each to change at most. As to reliability on my 1999 I still have the original hood & trunk struts.
They still work fine.

Will do if they are cheap. She can't afford $60, as was mentioned in the thread earlier, so hopefully I can find them more cheaply. If not, I like the vice-grips idea.

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
The whole point is you know it, so fix it and don't bitch about it like it is the manufacturer's fault. This isn't some car from the factory, the part is 13 years old. How long do you expect these parts to last?

Struts on your suspension will also degrade and fail. If they go out on the car after 200k, do you also expect the manufacturer to fix it? What about brake pads and windshield wipers?

You wouldn't have gotten crap if you only came on here asking about how to fix it. Maybe you should have done a more thorough inspection before buying the car.

FAIL. Not only is 13yrs not that long (all my previous new vehicles have had 10yr warranties), but they aren't supposed to be death traps just because they are old. How long do I expect it to last? Long enough to be a true alternative to the tried-and-true parts they are repacing. If they expect it to be used like the springs and stabilizing rods of other cars, then they had better have similar useful lifetimes or AT LEAST some guarantee that there will be a sign of impending failure. You can check the tire tread and pressure of a tire, but there is no indicator on these struts nor is there a defined useful lifetime. Wipers don't kill people because they are dull or worn. Brake pads are CONSUMABLE, have DEFINED useful periods during which they can be deemed "safe," and have measurable degradation, unlike struts holding a hood up. Same goes for suspension... like brakes and unlike the hood's struts, it's part of a vehicle's maintenance as defined in the manual's service interval. There's hardly justification in comparing that at 200K miles to the freaking *hood* at only 80K.

If the seat belts so much as stopped clipping because a car was 13yo, there would be a recall, despite it being an INDIRECT safety threat but this is more akin to the roof of a car falling on the occupant potentially causing direct injury through a concussion, broken neck, or by pushing them into dangerous hot & moving parts. If the struts in your suspension go out because you didn't follow the service guidelines or even if they just went out early, chance are that you would have a rough ride until you took it to the service station or the vehicle would suffer structural damage instead of YOU.

This is a direct threat to the user. The lives of people with 13yo cars aren't less valuable. Don't reinvent the wheel just because it won't kill the first user and they might think it's nifty.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Originally posted by: CZroe
FAIL. Not only is 13yrs not that long (all my previous new vehicles have had 10yr warranties), but they aren't supposed to be death traps just because they are old. How long do I expect it to last? Long enough to be a true alternative to the tried-and-true parts they are repacing. If they expect it to be used like the springs and stabilizing rods of other cars, then they had better have similar useful lifetimes or AT LEAST some guarantee that there will be a sign of impending failure. You can check the tire tread and pressure of a tire, but there is no indicator on these struts nor is there a defined useful lifetime. Wipers don't kill people because they are dull or worn. Brake pads are CONSUMABLE, have DEFINED useful periods during which they can be deemed "safe," and have measurable degradation, unlike struts holding a hood up. Same goes for suspension... like brakes and unlike the hood's struts, it's part of a vehicle's maintenance as defined in the manual's service interval. There's hardly justification in comparing that at 200K miles to the freaking *hood* at only 80K.

If the seat belts so much as stopped clipping because a car was 13yo, there would be a recall, despite it being an INDIRECT safety threat but this is more akin to the roof of a car falling on the occupant potentially causing direct injury through a concussion, broken neck, or by pushing them into dangerous hot & moving parts. If the struts in your suspension go out because you didn't follow the service guidelines or even if they just went out early, chance are that you would have a rough ride until you took it to the service station or the vehicle would suffer structural damage instead of YOU.

This is a direct threat to the user. The lives of people with 13yo cars aren't less valuable. Don't reinvent the wheel just because it won't kill the first user and they might think it's nifty.

Wait, so shocks that keep your tires in contact with the road, hold the springs in place, and keep the tires pointing vertical are INDIRECT dangers but a thing that holds the hood up is direct?

WTF?! Priorities man!

I'm sorry, but having been the owner of an older car, and maintained older and abused cars I can say this...

...little stuff wears out too.

Sometimes for no good reason, sometimes for good reason. Seals dry out, plastic becomes brittle from heat and light, rubber dries, pressure leaks...

It happens.

The downside of owning a car that's older is that you have to deal with these. Either buy replacing the part, or by living with it/working around it. Get a broom stick or pair of vice grips. Go McGuyver and fashion up a prop rod from something using parts laying around in your garage. But saying that a $30 part should last forever and that the manufacturer should fix it on a 13 year old car because it's a "danger" is just being an ass.

 

[ElFenix]

gas struts have to be replaced from time to time. it's a regular part and wears out. and yes, people see the use of them as a sign of quality, though i think they are starting to be phased out as most people never go under the hood anymore.

 

[bruceb]

$19 here each with free shipping .. and you may be able to find them for less

http://www.autopartswarehouse....99QQW0133-1629186.html

 

[JulesMaximus]

Just replace them both. They are likely both worn and they aren't that expensive.