99 GS400, 97Kmi. I finally got tired of having the engine hood hit me on the head when I hang a trouble light to work on the car. So I've ordered new hood struts from Lexus, and I'm hoping someone can describe how to replace them. Any tricks or gotchas? Thanks.

 

since u bought OEM ones, its just straight bolt on. 2 12mm nuts on each side. a wrench will get em off ez. i had to cut my ball connectors off my OE ones so i could fit em on my aftermarket ones.

 

Replaced the hood struts last night. Easiest replacement I've done on my GS400. And what a difference. Hood goes up on its own again.

A couple tips if you're doing this replacement.
1) Put a 2x4 or broomstick, or something to hold the hood up when you take out the old ones or you'll get bopped on the head and end up working one handed.
2)Don't try to get the old struts off the ball pivots. It's very interesting.. the new mounts snap in to the struts with almost no effort. But I tried as hard as I could to get them back out and couldnt do it. Make sure you order the version of the struts that comes with the mounts.
3)Its a little faster if you screw the mounts in to the car first and then snap the strut onto the mounts, but it will work either way.
4)10mm wrench is all you need for the job.

 

Did mine this morning, very easy but did have to send one of the struts back because it did not come with the mounting hardware (ball screw) This is a common issue I guess as stated in Amazon review

StrongArm 4536 Lexus GS300 Hood Lift Support 1998-04, Pack of 2

I also called the number on the Company web site and they promised to send out the mounting hardware as well. I got my replacement from Amazon faster.

No bulging of the hood from what I can tell, although these are twice as loud as the OEM ones. For the price I'm not in any type of regret. these were only $19 each!


OEM non removable Ball mount w/110K miles

New Strong Arm


No Hood Issues

Car is dirty sorry.

 

Do you still have the worn out ones? If yes, will you be willing to ship them to me and ill pay for shipping. Thanks

 

A few months ago....i went with StrongArms from Amazon on my mother's 2GS....easy diy job.

 

dammit, i was fixing to ask....i need some blown ones for my CF hood, which im assuming you do also as i know you have a cf hood too...

if u have them and denu passes OP i want them

 

Another Strong Arm user here. No complains. It's noisy at first but I find that it quiets down a little after you've opened and closed it so many times. Chance are if you're opening up the hood to work on your car, the noise won't bother you. I use to have the hood fall on my head, but no more.

 

Just a note:

While I needed a 12mm to get the OEM parts off, the new Strong Arm requires a 7/16th.

Glad I've got two shiny new tools and a hood that stays open! Now on to more important fixes...

 

for future reference, IF anyone replaces there BLOWN hood shocks i need/want them for my CF hood

PM me if anyone has some BLOWN ones or if anyone reading this thread replaces their BLOWN ones and wants to make some $ back for their OEM ones

seriously they need to be blown as the OEM ones will do damage to the CF hood as their just to strong for them

 

^^I'll send you mine when I replace them, I definitely got hit in the head trying to show my buddy how clean my 100k mile GE was in comparison to my 40k km GTE.

 

thanks, tx1979 is supposed to be hooking me up with his but if i dont get his i will contact you and get yours....when you removing yours?

 

Not sure yet but I will let you know.

 

I will have some soon as I am in desperate need of replacing mine.

 

cool, thanks....

whoever gets them ready to come to me first i will take....i need some. im so tired of propping my CF hood open