Driven: 2010 Fusion SEL V6

[SVT666]

A bigger problem is if those struts wear out and you have no backup way to hold up the hood.

When was the last time that happened?

[ifcar]

When was the last time that happened?

I don't know of any times that's happened, though I've seen them lose their effectiveness on the back hatches of several of our family cars.

But how long have many cars used strut-only hoods? I'm talking about problems ten, fifteen years down the road. That prop rod is a nice thing to have then.

[280Z Turbo]

When was the last time that happened?

My Saab had that problem.

I used a big stick.

[SVT666]

I don't know of any times that's happened, though I've seen them lose their effectiveness on the back hatches of several of our family cars.

But how long have many cars used strut-only hoods? I'm talking about problems ten, fifteen years down the road. That prop rod is a nice thing to have then.

Or you could spend $50 and get new hydraulic lifts.

[TBR]

We will have to agree to disagree.  I've never had a problem with hot prop rods.  Never.

Mine gets pretty hot. It isn't that big of a deal, but struts would be better.

[USA_Idol]

I don't know of any times that's happened, though I've seen them lose their effectiveness on the back hatches of several of our family cars.

But how long have many cars used strut-only hoods? I'm talking about problems ten, fifteen years down the road. That prop rod is a nice thing to have then.

Our family's '95 Escort's hatch struts are old (the car is fourteen years old and has 215K miles on it) and STILL hold the hatch up.  Yeah, it requires a bit more effort to lift the hatch and some mild sag is finally showing up, but they still work.  Based on that, I don't think hood struts would really be that much of a concern. 

[ifcar]

Our family's '95 Escort's hatch struts are old (the car is fourteen years old and has 215K miles on it) and STILL hold the hatch up.  Yeah, it requires a bit more effort to lift the hatch and some mild sag is finally showing up, but they still work.  Based on that, I don't think hood struts would really be that much of a concern. 

Our family's 95 Escort wagon's struts were at that point when it died in 2004. Lord knows where they would be now.

[USA_Idol]

Our family's 95 Escort wagon's struts were at that point when it died in 2004. Lord knows where they would be now.

It died?  Our car still has the original engine & tranny.  Still going strong.   

[the Teuton]

The struts for my hatch work like a charm.  There are two of them.  Many of the midsize sedans only use one.  That might be a problem in 15 years, but two makes it easier to hold the weight.