Hood Strut - single vs double

iamhives · Post by **iamhives** » 25 Mar 2018, 11:58

My 2006 V70 2.4 NA has a single hood strut on the drivers side. It seems that many cars have two struts, one on each side. My car does not have the necessary attachment points on the passenger side so appears to have been designed for a single strut. When I look up in VIDA that also shows two struts required part number 9154605 for my car. The prior owner said he replaced it just before be sold it to me. Unfortunately it appears that the strut he used is too weak since the hood has a tendency to fall especially if there is slight breeze etc. So it seems that the majority of struts out there are designed for dual strut usage and are not strong enough for a single strut set-up. Does anyone know the part numebr for a single strut that is stronger to hold teh hood up on its own in a single strut config?. Everywhere I go (e.g IPD, FCP etc) seems to show struts designed for dual strut usage which I expect would ahve teh same problem as the on I already have on the car.

Post by **oragex** » 25 Mar 2018, 12:35

I've never seen a single strut hood at the junkyard where I go. Could it be the hood is not original? Does it has the Volvo stickers on it?

Post by **cn90** » 25 Mar 2018, 12:39

- Two (2) struts, not one.

- Get a broomstick long enough and keep it in the trunk.

- Or search XC90 forum for "Chop sticks" trick that I posted there a while ago.

Georgeandkira · Post by **Georgeandkira** » 25 Mar 2018, 12:43

I just looked at my 07 V70's setup. It too has only one cylinder on the left (driver's) side.
It's a chilly day and the cylinder feels weak as do the rear lift-gate's.
What's interesting is that there are mounting holes on the right side ready to accept the "ball studs".
The cylinders' ends are the socket element.

A while back I bought replacement cylinders for a '95 Toyota Camry and they came with replacement ball studs.
I didn't need them and do not remember what I did with them.

Post by **oragex** » 25 Mar 2018, 13:19

Well then. Plastic headlights, steel control arms, one hood strut, less good sounding radios HU-850 sound less good than the HU-803). Feels like they went cutting the costs here and there.

If all holes are there and it can be installed, I'd hit the junkyard and grab a pair of brackets and struts from an earlier year that still keeps the hood up (about 1/4 of them still do)

Post by **precopster** » 25 Mar 2018, 14:37

The attachment points aren't t there. I noticed the same thing on a 2005 XC70 recently.

Post by **cn90** » 25 Mar 2018, 15:55

- My "chop stick" trick is below:

DIY: Hood Strut Mod
viewtopic.php?t=64466

- You will need:
* Two (2) zip ties.
* Chop Stick (get some for free at Chinese restaurants lol).

- Raise the hood to full height.
- Cut the chop stick to fit that height.
- Apply zip ties just snugly.
- Remove chop stick and "hide" in the hole on the body near the strut tower.

- Whenever you need to pop the hood, simply use the chopstick, slide it inside the zip ties.
- Move the zip ties to both ends to keep the chopstick in place.
- FREE Mod!

Post by **mrbrian200** » 25 Mar 2018, 16:19

oragex wrote: ↑25 Mar 2018, 13:19 Well then. Plastic headlights, steel control arms, one hood strut, less good sounding radios HU-850 sound less good than the HU-803). Feels like they went cutting the costs here and there.

Starting around year 2000 Ford taught Volvo how to count beans. Probably more like insisted. Volvo showed Ford how to build safer vehicles.
Then the two split in 2010. Volvo got the money for R&D + expansion they really needed from Geely to make a splash in the luxury segment that Ford wanted Volvo to delve into, but wasn't willing to properly fund the venture. Ford went back to making questionably terrible cars where safety is governed by NHTSA forced recalls...steering wheels that detach into your lap while driving...air bags that maim..etc.

There's still enough 'old volvo quality' that predated Ford's influence carried through the P2s to still consider them really good cars. I'm highly suspicious suspicious of the P3s however. Supposedly Ford left Volvo alone to sort of do it's own thing. With USD $6 Billion at stake (acquisition cost in 1999) I don't believe that story for one flat second.

Post by **abscate** » 25 Mar 2018, 16:55

If you steal a crutch from someone with a broken leg it’s unlikrly they can catch you

Saw off to fit

equiprx · Post by **equiprx** » 26 Mar 2018, 14:26

A while ago when I was stripping out my Jaguar XJS I saved the hood struts and the hardware.
When I got my 2002 v7O, 2.4t both struts were not working.
I mounted the body hardware just outside the strut towers and used the original points on the hood.
They have been working perfectly ever since and they look like they were meant to be there.
I still have a few more struts if they ever decide to go belly up.