Forum Discussion

thomasmnile's avatar
thomasmnile
Explorer
Nov 09, 2013

Hood Strut Replacement 2005 Ram

I've got a Ram 3500. Yesterday while working on our TT at the storage facility, I raised the truck's hood to connect my VIAIR compressor to a battery to add air to the TT's tires. The hood raised easily enough as if the struts were doing their job, but the second I let go of the hood it came crashing down. I guess the nitrogen gas or whatever is used in the struts has totally leaked out.

Is replacement of the struts fairly easy, or something best left to a trained professional, and what would the struts cost?
Tow Vehicles
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Nov 10, 2013
    Those struts are insidious!
    One day they're fine and the next day the hood tries to decapitate you.
  • Perrysburg_Dodg's avatar
    Perrysburg_Dodg
    Explorer
    Nov 10, 2013
    Maybe get someone to help hold the hood, that's what I would do both removing and installing them.

    Don
  • Krusty's avatar
    Krusty
    Nomad II
    Nov 09, 2013
    Just lower the hood down once the strut is attached to it until you can reach the lower attachment point.
  • Jarlaxle's avatar
    Jarlaxle
    Explorer II
    Nov 09, 2013
    If shipped collapsed, the struts will snap OPEN when the ties that hold them closed are released. If this is the case, keep hands clear when releasing them, they can extend with enough force to injure! Many are shipped extended...in that case, you're fine.
  • Dog_Folks's avatar
    Dog_Folks
    Explorer
    Nov 09, 2013
    thomasmnile wrote:
    Mark Heisler wrote:
    it is very easy to replace.
    take a small flat blade screw driver and lift the little steel tap on the back side of the shock and pull it off the ball.
    then take it to the parts store and get the right one and snap them back on. it as easy as changing a wiper blade
    cost 10-15 bucks


    Thanks for the info. Ordered a pair from the local NAPA. $23 ea. but I'm sure that's better than getting whacked in the head. That is one heavy azz hood! When replacing them, I assume you hook the top attachment on the hood first. Is it a major tug of war to extend the strut down to the lower attachment point?


    Ask the guys at NAPA. They often know the best way to install.
  • thomasmnile's avatar
    thomasmnile
    Explorer
    Nov 09, 2013
    Mark Heisler wrote:
    it is very easy to replace.
    take a small flat blade screw driver and lift the little steel tap on the back side of the shock and pull it off the ball.
    then take it to the parts store and get the right one and snap them back on. it as easy as changing a wiper blade
    cost 10-15 bucks


    Thanks for the info. Ordered a pair from the local NAPA. $23 ea. but I'm sure that's better than getting whacked in the head. That is one heavy azz hood! When replacing them, I assume you hook the top attachment on the hood first. Is it a major tug of war to extend the strut down to the lower attachment point?
  • Mark_Heisler's avatar
    Mark_Heisler
    Explorer II
    Nov 09, 2013
    it is very easy to replace.
    take a small flat blade screw driver and lift the little steel tap on the back side of the shock and pull it off the ball.
    then take it to the parts store and get the right one and snap them back on. it as easy as changing a wiper blade
    cost 10-15 bucks

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