GAS HOOD DAMPER KIT

rustynutz · **September 18, 2010, 04:17:09**

I bought a pair of these today......

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290474663902&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

At $56 including postage, I consider them a bargain!

And if you're a fan of carbon fibre, then these might interest you:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/07-10-Hyundai-i30-Carbon-Fiber-Bonnet-Hood-Damper-m2-/290476236250?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43a1bb9dda

Mutley · **Reply #1: September 18, 2010, 04:26:08**

They look great, let us know how they perform and if the installation is easy. I want a pair of these, I dislike the rod.

rustynutz · **Reply #2: September 18, 2010, 04:38:31**

Quote from: Mutley on September 18, 2010, 04:26:08

They look great, let us know how they perform and if the installation is easy. I want a pair of these, I dislike the rod.

No worries, Mutley....
I did a bit of a google search and from what I found they seem quite simple to install.
Hopefully I'll remember to take a few photos when I fit them. Regardless, I'll let everyone know what I think....

Cheers

**Reply #3: September 18, 2010, 04:39:08**

They look really good, particularly for the price.

Surferdude · **Reply #4: September 18, 2010, 06:24:20**

I reckon even i could be tempted to go for those.

Dazzler · **Reply #5: September 18, 2010, 10:36:44**

They mount fairly low at the hood end compared to the standard ones on my hybrid.

2i30s · **Reply #6: September 18, 2010, 10:39:01**

Quote from: Mutley on September 18, 2010, 04:26:08

They look great, let us know how they perform and if the installation is easy. I want a pair of these, I dislike the rod.

im with you mutley.

eye30 · **Reply #7: September 18, 2010, 12:25:01**

When it is windy won't it be a problem when opening the hood as the current stay locks the hood in place and movement is non existant

Mutley · **Reply #8: September 18, 2010, 12:33:34**

That is not an issue, the gas struts aren't exactly weak, why do you think the are on the boot and on many, many other cars?

Myowni30 · **Reply #9: September 18, 2010, 12:52:10**

Quote from: Dazzler on September 18, 2010, 10:36:44

They mount fairly low at the hood end compared to the standard ones on my hybrid.

I agree. Not sure how well they will hold the hood up, would think that you would need to lift it nearly all the way for them to take effect.

Just had a look at my Volvo C30 and they attach much higher up the hood.

agentr31 · **Reply #10: September 18, 2010, 13:13:08**

the rod has merrits... remember its only on one side. the struts are on both!

they might attatch higher up the bonnet BUT i bet its further back on the fender...

rustynutz · **Reply #11: September 18, 2010, 13:20:04**

Quote from: Myowni30 on September 18, 2010, 12:52:10

Quote from: Dazzler on September 18, 2010, 10:36:44
They mount fairly low at the hood end compared to the standard ones on my hybrid.

I agree. Not sure how well they will hold the hood up, would think that you would need to lift it nearly all the way for them to take effect.

Just had a look at my Volvo C30 and they attach much higher up the hood.

The difference with these is they make use of existing bolts.

Here's a video of some in action on a Toyota SillyCar...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChEuVWT32H4[/youtube]

rustynutz · **Reply #12: September 28, 2010, 13:28:50**

Well, the kit turned up today....

Installation was very straightforward and all up I reckon I was finished within half an hour.....

One minor issue I did come across was when fitting the bracket to the hood hinge. There's a slight bulge in the hinge so when the bracket is placed in position, the bracket is held away from the bolt hole slightly. This does pull in when the bolt is tightened but does slightly bow the bracket. It's no big deal, if you're worried about it a washer could be used as a spacer. I didn't bother....

So far the hood needs to be lifted about 2ft before the struts take over.....
I've opened and shut the hood numerous times and I'm finding the struts are working slightly better the more they are used.
At the moment it is very very slow to lift the bonnet to full height.

Anyhow, that's it...I'll let you all know how it's all working after the struts have had a chance to settle in.....fingers crossed things speed up a bit.... 8)

Dazzler · **Reply #13: September 28, 2010, 13:31:56**

Looks good rusty (thanks for the update)

Shambles · **Reply #14: September 28, 2010, 13:40:24**

Excellent, thanks for the piccies.

Same seller ships to the UK for £31.99 all in - decent price - worth it just to confuse the mechanics at service time

Mutley · **Reply #15: September 28, 2010, 21:59:55**

Nice. I think any car made without them from factory has a slight issue with something whether that be lifting or bulging etc. Does it scrape or scratch anywhere?

2i30s · **Reply #16: September 29, 2010, 11:05:13**

neat job,im off to feebay.

agentr31 · **Reply #17: September 29, 2010, 11:16:17**

LOL! i can see every i30 on the forum getting them now!!!

Shambles · **Reply #18: September 29, 2010, 11:24:14**

@ rustynutz

When closing, do the dampers fully release to allow the bonnet to be "drop closed"?

Reason for asking is I never press down on my bonnet when latching closed, I always like to let it drop from 5 or 6 inches

Great work BTW - I think I'll grab a pair too

2i30s · **Reply #19: September 29, 2010, 11:35:42**

that's a very good point Steve. i also don't like to push on the bonnet to close it. can it be dropped?

Mutley · **Reply #20: September 29, 2010, 11:50:03**

There should be at least 1ft so you can drop it. Every one I've seen does this, don't think this will be an exception.

rustynutz · **Reply #21: September 30, 2010, 07:16:41**

Sorry it's taken a while to reply, just been reformatting my computer......

Quite happy with them so far, other than still being a bit slow to lift the hood completely up, but this does seem to be getting better as time goes on.
There's no issues at all with the dampers hitting anything....(you'd almost think they were designed for the i30)....

Oh, the dampers do release well before the hood closes....probably a couple of ft before, so you won't have to go pushing on the hood to close it....

Cheers
Russell

Mutley · **Reply #22: September 30, 2010, 07:48:30**

So even where the ball joints are they don't scratch? I ask because on my other car I installed some but it just scratched at the ball joint at the bonnet end.

agentr31 · **Reply #23: September 30, 2010, 12:52:05**

broham! whats your other car!

Mutley · **Reply #24: September 30, 2010, 13:04:18**

sorry for the off topic rustynut...

agentr31 · **Reply #25: September 30, 2010, 13:29:39**

thats bloody nice looking man! *agent tips his hat to you*

**Reply #26: October 01, 2010, 12:26:47**

Just did a BIN on these... looks good to me.

rustynutz · **Reply #27: October 02, 2010, 05:13:54**

Quote from: Mutley on September 30, 2010, 07:48:30

So even where the ball joints are they don't scratch? I ask because on my other car I installed some but it just scratched at the ball joint at the bonnet end.

No sign of any scratched or rub marks anywhere so far, Mutley......admittedly I've probably only driven a couple of hundred k's since I installed them.

Mutley · **Reply #28: October 03, 2010, 04:19:17**

Well that's good to hear

**Reply #29: October 08, 2010, 05:23:32**

Fitted them today (a 10 and a 12 ring spanner required). I find they are just a tad short on lifting strength, probably due to the relatively weak leverage points. They don't seem able to lift the bonnet by themselves from any position but certainly do hold it firmly above the drop position which is also quite high. They don't interfere with the original prop which remains in place so if they lose gas and start to play up no drama to just remove them and call it quits.

However they do work and certainly appear to be very well made although one of the ball joints is a little loose and makes a clicking noise but it cannot pop out and is just a minor nit as is the bracket flexing a little.

I'm happy with them and for the money they are a steal.