How to Change Hood Struts

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A hood that won’t stay open is more than just inconvenient — it’s a serious safety hazard. If your hood suddenly drops, feels unusually heavy to lift, or no longer holds its position, your hood shocks are likely failing.

Many vehicle owners begin searching for solutions like how to change hood shocks, while others use terms such as how to change hood struts, changing hood struts, or simply change hood struts. Regardless of the wording, the objective is the same: restore safe and reliable hood support quickly and correctly.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know — from identifying the problem to completing a safe DIY replacement and choosing the correct gas struts for your vehicle.

What are Hood Struts?

Hood struts (also called hood lift supports or gas struts) are components installed on a vehicle’s hood that support and hold the hood open, making it easier and safer to access the engine compartment. Inside, they feature a sealed cylinder with compressed gas (usually nitrogen), a piston rod, and internal oil for damping, which together provide smooth, controlled support when lifting and holding the hood.

Why Your Hood Won’t Stay Open

Before starting the replacement process, it’s important to confirm that the hood shocks are indeed the source of the issue. Common causes of failure include:

Loss of internal gas pressure
Seal wear and leakage
Temperature-related performance decline
Long-term fatigue from repeated use

When any of these occur, the struts can no longer generate sufficient force to support the hood safely.

Signs Your Hood Struts Are Failing

Recognizing the symptoms early can help prevent accidents and unnecessary strain. Look for the following warning signs:

The hood will not stay open on its own
The hood drops suddenly without warning
Opening the hood requires more effort than usual
Visible oil residue or leakage on the strut body
Uneven lifting, where one side feels weaker

If you notice any of these issues, replacing the hood shocks is strongly recommended.

GASTAC OEM Hood Struts Size Chart

GASTAC offers a comprehensive range of hood strut sizes engineered to meet diverse vehicle requirements. Each specification is developed based on OEM structural standards, ensuring precise fitment, stable lifting force, and long-term reliability across different hood designs. Based on strong market demand and proven application performance, the following OEM hood strut sizes are among our most widely used and best-selling models:

55113748AA	lR049207	51238202688	400472A1	5K0823359D
1K0823359A	4F0823359A	817712E000	55372572AB	1J0823359C
8E0823359A	51237309117	A2038800029	7L6823359B	51237148346
8T0823359	51237347403	A2038800429	8V0823359	51238119558

Should You Replace One or Both Hood Struts?

This is one of the most common questions during the decision-making process. Even if only one strut appears to be failing, hood shocks function as a pair. Replacing just one side can result in uneven force distribution, reduced performance, and premature wear. Best practice:

Always replace both hood struts at the same time
Ensure balanced lifting and consistent support
Improve overall lifespan and reliability

Tools and Safety Preparation

One of the advantages of changing hood shocks is that it is a relatively simple DIY task requiring minimal tools. Basic tools and preparation:

Flathead screwdriver
Protective gloves
Ratchet and sockets
A prop rod or assistant to support the hood

⚠️ Important safety note: Always secure the hood in an open position before removing the struts. A falling hood can cause serious injury.

How to Change Hood Shocks (Step-by-Step)

One of the advantages of changing hood shocks is that it is a relatively simple DIY task requiring minimal tools. Basic tools and preparation:

Step 1: Open the hood and securely support it using a prop such as a wooden stick or pipe. Alternatively, you can ask a second person to hold the hood in place for added safety.

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Step 2: Remove the hood strut retaining clips. Use a flathead screwdriver to carefully release the clips securing the hood strut.

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Step 3: Loosen and remove the mounting fasteners. Use a ratchet and the appropriate socket size to unbolt the hardware connecting the strut to the vehicle body.

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Step 4: Detach the hood strut. Gently pull the strut off the ball joint and remove it from the vehicle.

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Step 5: Install the new strut. Position the new hood strut and loosely install the mounting hardware without fully tightening it at this stage.

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Step 6: Attach the strut to the ball joint. Align the hood strut with the ball joint and press firmly until it securely snaps into place.

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Step 7: Tighten all fasteners. Fully tighten the mounting hardware until it is secure and properly seated.

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Your hood strut replacement is now complete. Please check the installation to ensure the hood opens smoothly, stays securely in place, and all mounting points are firmly locked without any looseness or abnormal movement.

If you prefer professional assistance, GASTAC professional team can provide expert hood strut replacement services.