Eric

Tired of having my hood sloowly close on its own if let open for periods of time, I ordered some new OEM shocks from Paragon, which arrived Monday. I checked them out yesterday in anticipation of installing this weekend and have a question--is there a release for compressing them? They arrived in the extended "open" position and they don't seem to want to close. I figured that either there is some release, or I am much weaker than I imagined . So, what is the secret to closing them? Thanks much.

TaboII

Ahhhh. Nothing like installing hood shocks. I used the Armstrong approach. You can do it alone but it is much easer of you have a friend to help. There is NOT a release. Good luck

P.S. DO NOT GET THE SKIN BETWEEN YOUR THUMB AND POINTER FINGER CAUGHT BETWEEN THE SHOCK AND THE HOOD. It is very painful!!! <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" />

<img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />

DangerIsland

I had no problem with mine. Here's what I figured out:

1) open hood, use screwdriver (or something) to tap out the top (hood attached) side after removing the little lock from the end

2) use a screwdriver to pry off the spring clip off the bottom (body) side. They should come right out.

3) install the top side first. get the top in there, and then use the weight of the hood to compress them if you need to. just place the bottom end against something on the body to support it, and push the hood down. I just sorta pushed on it hard, and the bottom snaps right into place.

I wish I could describe it better, but I ended up not having much of a hard time at all, especially with the 2nd one (since I figured out how from the first one)

Eric

Tabo,

Really--hmm I was pushing in it pretty good, but I didn't want to bend/break anything. When I get home tonight, I will give one a good shove and see what happens(keeping skin and fingers clear--thanks for the reminder <img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" /> ).

Rob

Be careful when replacing hood shocks, because I've heard it is easy to open the hood too much with a shock removed allowing the corner of the hood to come in contact with the windshield and crack it. Luckily I don't know this first hand, but I did notice how close they were when I replaced mine.

Later,
Rob

CN

Assuming that it is almost the same on the 944 as 911, just remove and replace one at a time. If you remove both before starting the install, you can over extend the hood and crack the windshield.

Leverage is key to getting them on.

edd1em

It was not hard at all. Put a stick underneith the hood and open it as far as it will go, check that its not hitting the windshield. Take off the old shock, I put the bottom in first then put it the top in, done within 5 mins!! easiest porsche fix yet, exept maybe inflating tires.

ram_one

[quote]Originally posted by edd1em:
<strong>It was not hard at all. Put a stick underneith the hood and open it as far as it will go, check that its not hitting the windshield. Take off the old shock, I put the bottom in first then put it the top in, done within 5 mins!! easiest porsche fix yet, exept maybe inflating tires.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I would have to agree with this assessment. Just changed the hood and hatch shocks solo in about 15 minutes.

Eric

Much thanks to all,

When I got home last night, I gave the shocks a good push and got them to compress. They are the most minor item on next weekend's "to-do" car list(well, actually replacing the front license plate is) with the biggest project being the A-arm replacement.

antne1950

Thanks all for this thread. Got my hood shocks
awhile ago from Paragon as well, just haven't gotten round to do it yet.

(Really embarassing to be showin off your 'new' furrin sports car to your homeys and watch the hood drop shut while the gearheads are trying to find the turbo).

I understand the procedure for the top (hood) side, but for the ball joint 'thingy' on the engine bay side, do you just 'pop' it out for the
old and reverse 'pop' the new one in?

TIA,

Tony

edd1em

Yup, just pop them in. Just go out to your car and do it, it takes a few mins bro.

RJP 951

Tony, to remove the originals, you'll want to pry away a little metal clip/ring that wraps around the joint/socket at the bottom end (engine end) of the strut. Once you do this you should be able to pull the strut straight away from the ball mount.

Ron

dflash

"use screwdriver (or something) to tap out the top (hood attached) side???"

You should be carefull when you do this. you can bend the metal retainer on the hood.. but appart from that it should be a breeze.. I have done mine twice. about 5 min a shock

jgk62

I must be doing something wrong cuz i cant get the friggin things in! Seems like in order to put them in, you'd have to lift the hood up higher than is safely possible, and squeezing it is beyond my weakling capabilities!
What am i missing? Please Obi-Wan, help me!

edd1em

Dude, I dont know what ur prob is. My hood goes up past the height of the shocks.
Step by step:
1.GET A BROOM STICK!!
2.Stick that on the lip of the hood, and the bottom of the stick on top of the exhaust manifold.
3.Pry the clip off the top of the LEFT shock.
4.Pop the bottom off of the LEFT shock out, this should be done with your hands without much effort. (If you have much effort, stay off the drugs and spend some money on a gym membership, if you dont want that, have someone else do if for you, look for someone with more than a 1/2" bicep)
5.Take the new shock.
6.Pop the bottom of the ball of the joing into the opening of the new shock.
7.Align the top of the NEW shock with the hole that is on the hood so the bolt (or whatever) can slide in to it.
8.Slide the bolt (or whatever) into the hole.
9.Put the clip that was on the bolt (or whatever) back on.
10.Repeat for other side of hood.


P.S. for a minimal fee of $2000 I will perform the aforementioned procedure for you. Seeing as im buff and all!! hahahahahhaaha