How To: Correctly Modify Ebay Cheap Hood Dampner/Struts. EG/EK/DC etc. Done on dc2.

I thought I would do a simple How To. So people do not damage there car!!!

The cheaper $60 units come with a way too strong of pressure lift. Even when I cycled them. They are easily 150-200 ft lbs pressure. What will happen is you will bend your hinges and hood with way too much pressure.

I noticed they would not even work before even installing. I simply tossed the struts to the side. I used the brackets, one on the hood with ball and other ball fender bolt.

The hood bracket needs 2 bolts. Just one will not work. It will swivel then screw up your fenders. So i used the top oem hinge bolt.

You will need to possibly slot the bottom hole to have the bracket move more inward/center of the car and flush to the webbing of the hood.

Then I used a thick washer for the new upper screw to space bracket same amount off hood as the hinge. Then I simply got a similar looking and size sheet metal screw. Drilled a hole and installed the bracket. Now that stops the swivel issue if were to only use one bolt. If carbon fiber hood a large rivit or rivit nut sert would be ideal.

Now the strut/dampner issue. Measured the stock compressed length and extended length. As one came with the kit. Now just a matter of figuring out pressure of lifting. I started out with Strong Arm line of struts. They are made in USA and very good quality. OEM stock EG/EK/DC hood is around 30 lbs. So I started off with like 30... didnt want to lift it... then went to like 45 or 50 then barely with help would lift. Then went with 65 lbs and bingo works like butter. Strong ARM #6927. Compressed length 9.5" and Extended 15". I have seen them as low as $20 per side. Got mine at Advanced Auto Parts but were little more than that price.

Have had these on my car for a couple years no issues at all. Just thought I would spread the word instead of someone messing there car up bad. love being able to pop hood and it rests even no saggyness to the non hood prop side. It also lifts hood a little higher than stock.

If Prelude/Accord. Get a similar kit with same brackets... if when get the struts and way too stiff as well do the same thing... measure compressed and extended lengths. Strong Arm should have a solution for you.