KLR

Are the hood shocks from all of the usual vendors the same, or are some not OE quality (similar to engine mounts)? No big deal given the cost, but I don't feel like doing this job twice. Thanks!

Erzengal

I got a set off eBay for $30 for the set. Listed as OEM. They were new, and had the Porsche item sticker on them. I think one of our sponsors also sells them for around the same price.

whiz944

These are something you just have to replace every few years. My '86 is probably on its 4th set of hood lifts and at least that many hatch lifts. The last set I bought from the Porsche dealer lasted exactly two years, and they would not honor the two-year parts warrantee when they failed. I think my current set are made by Gabriel, and are lasting as long as any.

b5audia4

I just put on a set from 'Stabilus'. Who knows how long it will last.

adrial

The set I just bought from EBS were 'Stabilus'...we'll see how long they last.

I've had the car for 7 years without replacing either the hood or hatch shocks -- the hatch works fine and the hood still stays up, but it sometimes starts to fall.

If you are replacing them every 2 years, the replacements you're getting are crap.

Legoland951

I know weltmeister used to sell a set with lifetime warranty. I know not all shocks are the same as some generic ones fail with 2 years. As you know, the hood is very heavy and those shocks are small. The longest lasting set I had was made for another car with holes/hoops on both side. I had to fabricate a clip for the bottom hoop to fit into the **** to make it secure. That set lasted for many years and I believe it was originally made for a gen I rx7.

whiz944

Well, I didn't say *every* pair lasted only two years - just a set I bought from the Porsche dealer. They are just Stabilus with a Porsche part number. Now that I think about it, they were hatch lifts. The current set is Porsche-sourced Stabilus too - and they have been in there about 5 years. So maybe the bad set was really old stock.

The hood lifts that lasted longest were a set my mechanic found a bunch of years ago. I don't remember the brand. I don't remember the brand off-hand, but they were made in Germany like Stabilus and lasted about 10 years. My current set is, I think, made by Gabriel. I just checked, and they are 'no name' - and made in the U.S. I think they have been in there for about 3 years.

I was most disappointed that the Porsche dealer would not honor the two-year warrantee on the bad set of lifts. I had them order the replacements prior to the two years, but picked them up a few days after the two-year date. They gave me an incredibly hard time over it, and I never did receive satisfaction. I bought the replacements that I ordered, but after that, decided there was no reason to buy the dealer lifts ever again.

Walt - 86 944 NA

Lizard944

The last set of "shocks" that I bought have been working great for the past 10+ years and only cost $2.00 at Walmart. They're made by a company called Vice Grip, or the Chinese equivalent.
Just manually raise the hood then clamp a small one on the chromed part of the piston.
For the rear hatch, make sure to clamp both sides evenly so as to not twist the frame, possibly contributing to glass/frame separation.

Keithr726

My PO did something right and installed weltmeister who claims to have a "lifetime" warranty

potent951turbo

I forget who mine are made by, but I got my hood and hatch shocks from Vertex about 5-6 years ago and they are still as strong today as they were when they were new. I almost think the hatch shocks open too quickly.

Gator_86_951

The hood shocks are a pia to install yourself, you ought to have somebody there to help you. Just an FYI. I got mine from paragon