RE: Hood Supports: The Instructions

[Ng.Kevin@nationscredit.com (Ng, Kevin)]

I just installed the ones from AutoZone based on these instructions   
(thanks!)-very easy install! But I have a few questions:

 -When opening the hood with the new lifts, does it come up smoothly, or   
fast like it's about to fly off the car? With the AutoZone ones, I have   
to keep my hand on the hood to prevent it from coming up too fast.

 -What difference does it make whether installing them with the "strut   
body closest to the fender" or the reverse way?

Other than that, they work great! Looks stock too. Took me about 30 min.,   
but if I were to do it again on someone else's A3, it would probably take   
less than ten minutes...

Kevin
97 GLX Windsor Blue
 ----------
From:  posaune[SMTP:leah@erinet.com]
Sent:  Wednesday, May 06, 1998 4:36 PM
To:  Ryan B. Gould
Cc:  GTI-VR6 List; Jetta GLX List
Subject:  Hood Supports: The Instructions

OK, a few people have asked about these hood supports, so here is the
information that I have.  It is a simple install, so here are the notes
I took for just this purpose.  Please note that the instructions and
results apply to the lifts that I got from Pep Boys.  They may or may
not apply to the other versions.  Also, do one at a time to avoid
problems like having 2 of the four bolts off of the hood at one time,
etc.

As always, the usual disclaimers apply.

Options:
Pep Boys pro-lifts: part #92516      ($32.99/side)  (Thanks Mike Bigus)
Auto Zone mighty-lifts: part #E95212     ($40.00 total according to
Jason Whipple)
Jamex kit  ($45.00? according to Jason Whipple)
Bonrath kit  ($124.95 from New Dimensions)
Neuspeed P-lifts  ($124.95 from APS)

Tools needed:
Two hood struts
4 extra washers (ones closer to the size of the originals)
various sockets
drill/bits up to 9/32"

 --remove strut from package and check parts.  included should be (in
each package):
 ---1 strut
 ---2 ball joint ends (1 silver, 1 black)
 ---2 washers (you'll substitute the larger ones for these)

 --paint washers to match car (not necessary, but looks better IMO)
 --remove bolt closest to front of car from the hood supports
 --install the black (longer) ball joint end with washer into the open
hole and tighten (being careful not to move the hood in its mounts)
 --remove the corresponding screw in the fender -- it should be obvious;
check to make sure with the strut
 --drill the fender hole to 9/32" -- I used bits in small increments, but
I don't know if that is necessary
 --tap threads carefully with the hood bolt that you removed
 --install silver (shorter) ball joint end and washer into fender  (Jason
Whipple also removed the fender liner and added a nut to the bottom -- a
good idea -- I didn't, and haven't had any problems, though)
 --snap strut onto ball joint ends *with the strut body closest to the
fender* (this is opposite of the Neuspeed and Bonrath kits)
 --close hood gently to make sure everything clears
 --remove hood rod


hope this helps
 -erik