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-   -   VW Polo DIY: Installing a gas strut to lift the hood (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/diy-do-yourself/151864-vw-polo-diy-installing-gas-strut-lift-hood-4.html)

Hello Gannu_1, first of all amazing DIY job, very neat. After looking at your mod I'm also going to do that on my 2016 Vento. I contacted few local shops and they said I can use Skoda Superb gas strut.

Is it advisable to do so? He asked me 3000 INR for gas strut and installation. I've checked SGS engineering and I'm bit confused there. I will order once you guide me to buy particular model for self opening bonnet. clap:

I am not far from your current city, and I often visit Surat. So I would like to meet you someday and see your amazing DIY mods in person.

CHEERS

You can use any strut so long as the following specs are met:

a. The force of the strut is sufficient to lift the hood. This is usually specified in the strut. Anything more than 400 N is sufficient IMO.

b. The extended length of the strut is such that it can lift the hood to the required height and can retract without interfering with any other parts.

Yes provided the shop can execute a neat job instead of a shoddily fabricated mount. Do not let them drill additional holes anywhere on the car. It doesn't warrant one at least for the Vento.

Looks reasonable to me.

What are you confused about? I've specified what are the parts required in the first post.

I've shifted to Madras from Navsari couple of months back. I might drive to Anand sometime next year.

Oh I see, I thought you are still in navsari. No worries.

Hi Gannu_1

Thank you for the simple yet effective DIY. I am considering installing a gas strut on my polo.

1)Would a 350 NM strut induce stresses and cause flexing while pulling the bonnet for closing as we are using a single strut?

2)Since you have recommended different extended lengths (460mm & 470mm), please suggest which one would be a safer bet?

3) Do the SS clamp and MS clamp differ in dimensions?

Thanks

I ordered for a gas strut from SGS engineering and received the package last week. However, the strut was badly bent. They messed up with the end fixings as well. Took the issue up with SGS, they offered to send in a replacement. Hopefully it arrives in good nick!

I just bought the strut from SGS and planning to do the hood lift DIY and the grab handle dampners in the next couple of weeks.

I am planning to order gas struts from SGS for my GT. Interested to know if you have chosen the struts with force rate of 250N or 350N? If it's 350N, would appreciate your feedback :)

I have chosen 250N. Also, make sure you chose 2 ball joints. I chose one by mistake and now there is a delay in shipping the other one.

So yesterday I attempted this DIY with a 350N strut (same dimensions as Gannu's, and ordered from the same vendor viz. SGS Engineering). The bracket on the bonnet to which the lower stud is bolted is unable to counter the force of the strut, and starts buckling when I try to close the bonnet. :Shockked:



I moved the stud to a nearby location, and while there is slight buckling at this location too, I am able to close and open the bonnet. However the strut length is now insufficient for the bonnet to fully open, and I still have to release the bonnet lock by hand to raise it. :Frustrati

Possible solution:



I believe that the problem can be solved by inserting a washer (picture above) between the stud and fender, so that the closing load is transferred to the fender. I will try this in the evening today, and update the thread with the result.

I attempted this DIY recently, and have recorded my learnings in this post on my ownership thread.