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Thread: My e34 hood is trying to decapitate me!! HELP!

  1. #1
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    "Verena" e34 Fuhrer e36

    My e34 hood is trying to decapitate me!! HELP!

    Hey guys,

    I seem to have a problem, my e34 hood trys to kill me...
    I've installed new hood struts on it but to no avail, Would like to hear suggestions on how to remedy this besides the gud 'ol "fishing rod/stick" fix

    thanx

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
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    95 540iA M-Sport & 525iT
    Did you get cheap or used hood struts? New factory hood struts keep the hood open just fine...
    Cosmos Black/Black 1995 540iA M-Sport
    BMW Individual Exclusive Edition, 1 of 65 total, 9/25/95 Build
    OEM additions include Euro trim, passenger seat mounted first aid kit, tool kit warning triangle, clears all around, black chrome exhaust tips, spare tire well gas can, and rear armrest fridge.

    Waiting for install is an adjustable lumbar support, & drivers side glove box...

  3. #3
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    I've found alot of the cheap aftermarket ones are just that. Cheap. They last a month maybe, then shit the bed. Fork out the money for OE ones. I always use a prop to hold the hood open anyways when working on the car, just incase some ding dong hits it.
    "...there’s nothing like the scream of an old straight six, a sound only comparable to a monster that eats children and rocks for breakfast and howls like a banshee when the loud-pedal is mashed." - Mike Burroughs

  4. #4
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    '95 528iT/5 sport
    I was pleasantly surprised after I replaced my hoodstruts with new OE ones. Now when I 'pop the hood' it actually shoots forward! No more three part process (pull handle, go to front of car and pull, come back to door and lift up).
    I got all 3 sets of struts (touring- so: hood, hatch, and glass) from thebmwpartstore.com.
    Last edited by cddallara; 03-10-2012 at 01:06 PM.
    my version of a midlife crisis: 20 year old spray painted, lowered BMW station wagon.

  5. #5
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    Even new struts wont stop it blowing down if it is windy or a truck blows by you at speed. I keep a length of 2 x 1" in the boot for the purpose. Not elegant but if one of those lock hooks hits you on the head it will do some serious damage.

  6. #6
    Join Date
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    p-town, canada
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    90 535im turbo
    Yeah I've been hit quite a few time from falling hoods hurts like a biatch, even with new struts it can still fall, I use a cut broomstick to help

  7. #7
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    My struts seem to always want to pop off. It's annoying even though they're new.

  8. #8
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    Probably because you're missing # 18 in this

    http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...41&fg=35&hl=24
    "...there’s nothing like the scream of an old straight six, a sound only comparable to a monster that eats children and rocks for breakfast and howls like a banshee when the loud-pedal is mashed." - Mike Burroughs

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by 1990525i View Post
    the bees knees

  10. #10
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    1995 bmw 525i e34 sedan
    You will just need to buy better/stiffer struts. I almost got beheaded by my hood a few times. replaced the soft struts with new ones. they are so tight that when you release the hood latch, it slide up automatically and only requires 1 movement instead of 2. paid about $70 AUS. Make sure you get the length/size of the strut right or it won't fit.

  11. #11
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    ^yup, they should have enough pressure to prop up the front of the hood all the way when you pull the release. If not, then you have weaksauce struts.

    Quote Originally Posted by 1990525i View Post
    the bees knees

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by paperplane94 View Post
    Those could work

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by paperplane94 View Post
    ^yup, they should have enough pressure to prop up the front of the hood all the way when you pull the release. If not, then you have weaksauce struts.
    I was pleasantly surprised when after changing mine I saw this happen for the first time..... I think I bought mine from pelican parts.. that or AZ Autohaus.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by bmwwheelman View Post
    Probably because you're missing # 18 in this

    http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...41&fg=35&hl=24
    Yup I am. WTF

  15. #15
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    Can u give guys give me some links where to buy them??
    I have to hold mine with a broken fishing rod....I also haven't check if I have #18....

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by Raziel310 View Post
    Can u give guys give me some links where to buy them??
    I have to hold mine with a broken fishing rod....I also haven't check if I have #18....
    BMW part #51231944119

    Use that part # to buy them here http://www.thebmwpartstore.com/index...s&multiple=yes

    $22.90 each.
    Cosmos Black/Black 1995 540iA M-Sport
    BMW Individual Exclusive Edition, 1 of 65 total, 9/25/95 Build
    OEM additions include Euro trim, passenger seat mounted first aid kit, tool kit warning triangle, clears all around, black chrome exhaust tips, spare tire well gas can, and rear armrest fridge.

    Waiting for install is an adjustable lumbar support, & drivers side glove box...

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by paperplane94 View Post
    Now that's a heavy duty hood strut

  18. #18
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    "Verena" e34 Fuhrer e36
    Thanx for all the info guys!!! I should post some pix of my Calypsorot e34 soon....

  19. #19
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    Here's a hood strut clamp/brake to keep the hood open if your struts are shot.

    http://www.akgmotorsport.com/catalog...%2Fe34%20Other


    Last edited by bubba966; 03-12-2012 at 01:04 AM.
    Cosmos Black/Black 1995 540iA M-Sport
    BMW Individual Exclusive Edition, 1 of 65 total, 9/25/95 Build
    OEM additions include Euro trim, passenger seat mounted first aid kit, tool kit warning triangle, clears all around, black chrome exhaust tips, spare tire well gas can, and rear armrest fridge.

    Waiting for install is an adjustable lumbar support, & drivers side glove box...

  20. #20
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    hiss by my window
    Quote Originally Posted by whiskychaser View Post
    Even new struts wont stop it blowing down if it is windy or a truck blows by you at speed. I keep a length of 2 x 1" in the boot for the purpose. Not elegant but if one of those lock hooks hits you on the head it will do some serious damage.


    Or square between your shoulder blades.
    I always use a prop now.

  21. #21
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by bubba966 View Post
    Here's a hood strut clamp/brake to keep the hood open if your struts are shot.

    http://www.akgmotorsport.com/catalog...%2Fe34%20Other


    I used to do this but with locking pliers. The trunk on the other hand would fall much much harder than the hood. Im sure the trunk could seriously injure someone after seeing it dent a sheetmetal toolbox.

  22. #22
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    My brand new hoodstruts just won't stay attached to the hinge studs they're supposed to go on... If I hit a bump, open my hood, do ANYTHING, they just fall right off. It's been a miserable battle.

  23. #23
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    Are you missing the locking clip, as mentioned in post 8?

    Mine were gone and it made the struts almost useless.

    Next big mod: Radiator hardware! Not that the zip ties aren't doing a bang up job...
    Last edited by Sneezy; 03-12-2012 at 09:36 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
    Quote Originally Posted by Layne View Post
    I can't speculate on what would cause the POOP alarm, but I would recommend pulling over immediately.

    Specialization is for insects

  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sneezy View Post
    Are you missing the locking clip, as mentioned in post 8?

    Mine were gone and it made the struts almost useless.

    Next big mod: Radiator hardware! Not that the zip ties aren't doing a bang up job...
    I can't tell what that is from the diagram. The hoodstruts themselves have clips on them, where does the "locking clip" attach to?

  25. #25
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    BMW 535i/1970 Plymouth Roadrunner
    Quote Originally Posted by bubba966 View Post
    Here's a hood strut clamp/brake to keep the hood open if your struts are shot.

    http://www.akgmotorsport.com/catalog...%2Fe34%20Other



    I use a visegrip and a rag to prevent damage to the piston.

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