Hey fellas,

 

 

I'm considering putting bonnet gas struts in my poverty-spec mk2 facelift. Anymore retrofit these before? I'm guessing the non-base models will have them. 

 

Anybody know the length and force of the struts on those?

 

Cheers

Don’t think any came with gas struts from factory. 

You can get a strut with the required fixings for £15 direct from China 

 

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/b4Uq77dW

 

54 minutes ago, softscoop said:

You can get a strut with the required fixings for £15 direct from China 

 

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/b4Uq77dW

 

I have seen these on Ali, just wondering about the reliability of one of those struts. Have used AliExpress for years, and have had mostly good luck. 

IIRC there was a fairly big thread on this subject around 2010/11. You could try a search for it. 

 

 

If I remember correctly, quite a few people had issues with the aftermarket struts bending or warping the bonnet.

 

On some other forums, they've come up with an alternative method using OE parts which looks much more sensible than just replacing the existing stay, for example: http://www.octavia-club.ru/f/a5fl/3368-standartnaya-gazovaya-stoika-pod-kapot/

21 minutes ago, Fin69 said:

IIRC there was a fairly big thread on this subject around 2010/11. You could try a search for it. 

 

 

Have read a few of them, but those were mainly complaints about the Superskoda kits lol.

4 minutes ago, langers2k said:

If I remember correctly, quite a few people had issues with the aftermarket struts bending or warping the bonnet.

 

On some other forums, they've come up with an alternative method using OE parts which looks much more sensible than just replacing the existing stay, for example: http://www.octavia-club.ru/f/a5fl/3368-standartnaya-gazovaya-stoika-pod-kapot/

That setup looks much more sturdy! I hope the hood warp is not too bad, I've just bought the Ali kit.

I bought a pair for £7.28 including multiple end fittings and used just one in place of the original bonnet strut.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-Bonnet-Boot-Gas-Struts-Bootlids-Tailgates-Parts-Hatchback-Ball-Studs-55CM/132708377524?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

 

When the bonnet is open there is no more loading on the bracket than the original flimsy bendy strut, when closed its gone over centre and the load is in shear so no problem.

 

If you close the bonnet slowly and dont try to slam it like the idiots on the TV (Mike Brewer et al) then there is no deflection whatsoever, if you try and force it you will see it deflect.

 

Unless you have other people regularly opening your bonnet I would have no concerns regarding the solidity, if you always put your car into a garage for any work then I would recommend a strengthening bracket.

13 hours ago, J.R. said:

I bought a pair for £7.28 including multiple end fittings and used just one in place of the original bonnet strut.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-Bonnet-Boot-Gas-Struts-Bootlids-Tailgates-Parts-Hatchback-Ball-Studs-55CM/132708377524?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

 

When the bonnet is open there is no more loading on the bracket than the original flimsy bendy strut, when closed its gone over centre and the load is in shear so no problem.

 

If you close the bonnet slowly and dont try to slam it like the idiots on the TV (Mike Brewer et al) then there is no deflection whatsoever, if you try and force it you will see it deflect.

 

Unless you have other people regularly opening your bonnet I would have no concerns regarding the solidity, if you always put your car into a garage for any work then I would recommend a strengthening bracket.

Regularly opening the bonnet? Never - this is a Skoda after all!

 

In all seriousness you're right, technically it should put any more stress on the hood of it. 

19 hours ago, langers2k said:

If I remember correctly, quite a few people had issues with the aftermarket struts bending or warping the bonnet.

 

On some other forums, they've come up with an alternative method using OE parts which looks much more sensible than just replacing the existing stay, for example: http://www.octavia-club.ru/f/a5fl/3368-standartnaya-gazovaya-stoika-pod-kapot/

Yep.  Subaru the same.  No gas struts fitted ex-factory.  Somebody came up with an aftermarket kit.  Every bonnet closure put a small kink in the bonnet until it became noticeable.  If somebody grabbed the bonnet and closed it with force the bonnet folded.  Subarus are lighter metal than Skoda but I wouldn't do it.

That is the key, dont close it with force, any of us from an era when a car was a fragile and hugely expensive asset will have no problem with that, later generations are accustomed to having to swing and slam huge heavy tank doors and do the same with everything else including in the house.

Update - I ordered and have now installed the Ali kit provided by softscoop.

 

The quality is not too bad for the fact that it's from Ali. It came packages with the strut, the mounting piece and necessary hardware, as well as a horrible microfibre cloth. 

 

Installation was easy. You have to remove the FL head light assembly to be able to bolt up the mounting point to the chassis, but nothing major. At that point you can plop on the bottom part of the strut, and you can remove the factory bonnet strut from the hood by pulling on it. The grommet had to come out sadly, and had to be cut off in order to get it out. While supporting the bonnets weight with your head (like a real man), you just tighten the top bolt and you're away laughing.

 

The fact that its only held on by one side is not ideal, as others have said, you do get a bit of flex when you first try to get the hood to close but it's nothing major. Other than that, it supports the hood surprisingly well, although it does look a bit out of place. The strut is very Chinese so you do get a bit of "rubbing" when the strut fully extends but for $18 USD you can't complain. 

 

Overall, it's a great little upgrade for $18. Few pictures below to show finished product.