scjayhawk

Does anyone have experience with installation of Weltmesiter "heavy duty" hood shocks? I purchased a pair from Performance Products and set out to install this evening. I had read posts on Rennlist about knocking out the pin at the top, removing the spring clip at the bottom, and being careful not to break the windshield. I got the left shock off with no problem, but then discovered that the replacement shock has a different setup for the ball and socket at the bottom. This replacement shock apparently does not use the spring clip to hold the shock to the ball at the bottom. Instead, there is button that has "on/off" with a picture of that button in the open position and then "lock" with a picture of the button depressed. Unfortunately, no directions came to explain the meaning of this somewhat cryptic information.

What is the purpose of this button? Do you put the shock in place and then push the button to "lock" it in place so that the socket doesn't come off the ball, or is there some other purpose?

944S2IFISH2

I just got done with this last week... The end of the strut has a socket on it that is different than the stock units. Instead of the factory spring clip it uses a "button". Just snap the socket (firmly!) on the ball then press the button in until it is flush. If you need to pull it back off they left some grooves in it that let you pry it back open with a little screwdriver. I recommend putting the bottom in first, then attaching it to the hood. Do one at a time! By the way, these struts are STIFF! It practically bends the hood when you close it! Not sure if I'd choose these again - seems like it stresses the heck out of the mounts... Oh well - You're supposed to never have to do them again with these!

Luis de Prat

Guys, be very careful not to lean the hood BACK ONTO THE WINDSHIELD when you remove the hood shocks. IT WILL CRACK!

Just a heads up... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

triscadek

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica"> Guys, be very careful not to lean the hood BACK ONTO THE WINDSHIELD when you remove the hood shocks. IT WILL CRACK </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Voice of experience?

Why must experience be derived from poor judgement, I HATE THAT!!!!!

scjayhawk

Well, this easy little project is turning into a huge p.i.t.a. I got the stock shock off easily and then attached the bottom of the new shock without too much trouble. The problem is that I was unable to compress the shock to get it lined up with the top mount. I was afraid to push up too hard on the hood for fear of cracking the windshield. So I took the shock back off the bottom and attached it to the top first. I fought with the bottom trying to get it to slip onto the ball socket, and finally ended up breaking off the "button" when the shock slipped and cracked up against the battery. I got so pissed I figured I better stop for the evening before I broke the windshield. Spent an hour with five minute epoxy and toothpicks trying to glue the button back together. It remains to be seen if it will still work.

How in the world do you get the shocks to compress to snap into place??? I was putting all of my weight into the things and they wouldn't budge. I tried using the weight of the hood to compress the shock, but couldn't keep it compressed once I lifted the weight off it. Does anyone have any tips? I'm getting really frustrated and am still on the first shock.

BTW, I would not recommend these Weltmeister shocks. They are quite a bit more expensive than the stock shocks and the button design seems a bit flimsy and flawed. The spring clip design makes more sense. In retrospect I wish I had purchased the stock shocks.

Dan in Pasadena

I went to Autozone and bought what they had. Took all of five minutes. Four for the first one, one minute for the second one. It's been about a year and they work fine. I think I spent MAYBE $20 for both.

scjayhawk

Well, I finally got the stocks installed this morning. A couple of tips:

1. I would recommend attaching the shock to the top mount first and then snapping it onto the ball at the bottom second.

2. Do one shock at a time.

3. Have a helper gently, gently, gently - did I mention, gently - push up on the front center of the hood while you push the shock onto the ball at the bottom mounting location. I found that it was impossible to get the shock on by myself. I was trying to lift the hood with my shoulder while fighting with shock and I just couldn't do it all at once. With a helper I had it in place within 30 seconds. Unfortunately, that one button is really screwed up so must see if I can get a replacement. At least I didn't break my windshield.

Thanks everyone for their input on this "simple" project.