Neil: I have used the vacuum fill on my v70. I think they work great and I like that you can pull a vacuum on the system and see if it leaks down before filling. I have never had issues with it damaging anything. I bought an Airlift off Amazon about 10+ years ago because I had a Nissan xterra and it...

I have struggled with this too. Even after adjusting the latches and with plenty of lube, mine would still only pop one side. If you gently set the hood down and watch as the u shaped catches on the top settle into the latches on the body, if one catch is hitting the side of the latch, take a small ...