Christian K

I have very limited experience in fiddling with the car and usually leaves everything to a mechanic, but I actually changed a fog light myself, so I figured that the useless engine lid gas struts could be a suitable DIY for a guy like me. Is it a suitable next step in my mechanic career? Any complexities that a laymen like me should be aware of? What tools do I need? Better leave it to the shop?

Cheers

Christian

1990 C2
ex. 1984 Carrera

robmug

There's a DIY article on P Car, which although a 993 specific site, is the same for the 964 model.

http://p-car.com/diy/hoodshock/index.html

Jeff Curtis

You'll do just fine Christian.

Do yourself a favor and try to locate the Weltmeister versions that are supposedly "heavy duty" and last longer??

It's a simple changeout...a bit more difficult on the front though. (you guys call it a bonnet)

Christian K

Rob, thank's for the link. Seems to be on my level ;-)

Jeff, I'll check the weltmeisters out, thank's for the advice. Thankfully the struts in the front work perfectly fine, so no risk for me messing up there.

cheers

Christian

1990 C2
ex. 1984 Carrera

Kahdmus

I was given some really great tips when I asked this question:

https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...threadid=86646

Stephen Grellet

Do you have anybody in your country(s) that offer a re pressuring service for gas struts. It involves putting the struts into a pressure chamber and filling the chamber with high pressure nitrogen. The nitrogen enters the strut past the seals. I had this done on my hood struts for approx USD$30 for the pair, and they work like new.

pete000

Just be careful not to drop the clip behind the engine!...

Kahdmus

I think the replacements cost less than $30...

Chris M.

Yes, they cost $13.50 each from Pelican Parts. I'm tackling this project today....we'll see how it goes.

c

raymond-turner

This was the first job I undertook when i got my car, the best advice I can offer is, cover the wings with a blanket, and delegate the job to the person with the smallest hands, cheers

Fred, Long Island

spread a towel around under the strut to catch the inevitable dropped clip. Long reach needle nose pliers may prove valuable. Knuckle scrapes will heal in a week or so.

JasonAndreas

And if you don't have long reach needle nose pliers just drive around for two weeks and then take the fuel pump cover off from under the car. Every bolt, screw, socket, etc. dropped anywhere near the fuel tank or HVAC will eventually finds its way to the fuel pump cover.