Need a little help from a fellow 07-09 RXT owner

[KK40384]

I keep having issues with my hood strut popping off. I've had the lower mount relocated by the dealer then found my upper mount loose. Re tightened it and it held for a while. Came off again and the upper mount is still tight. Looking at it closely I think it may be installed backwards but I can't be 100% sure.

Can anyone take a picture if the upper hood strut mount/bracket and post it here or email it to me?

 

[red2blue]

kk-

What do you mean..."popping off"? does the circlip pop off and allow the strut to leave it's place?

 

[KK40384]

Yup. Seems like the angle is off and putting to much pressure on the spring clip and it slips off the ball mount.

 

[red2blue]

okay...different prob with my sec ski. My prob had the rod at the hood disconnecting because of the circlip.

As for the ball at the base of the strut? If your strut still wants to come off there....try changing the linkage at the other end of the strut. The top will turn 180 degrees so maybe that will alow a better alignment. It'll be a day or so before I can get you a pic.

 

[KK40384]

That's what I'm trying to figure out. I'm not sure which way the ball mount is supposed to face. I'm gonna flip it and see what happens. It's been a 4 year battle now. Annoying little issue. Caused me to get stitches once when the hood fell on me when I expected it to stay up.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Her is my 09 RXT-X.

Over-all view.

Bottom headed up.

Upper half

Repairing and selling iPads, iPhones and Mini iPads.

 

[KK40384]

That's exactly how mine is. There goes my backwards theory. WTF that's the 4th strut I've gone through.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Though I have never had the issue, I have read in many places that require the mounting plate to be moved. Sounds like your had been already.

How are the retaining clip on the ball joints?

 

[KK40384]

Though I have never had the issue, I have read in many places that require the mounting plate to be moved. Sounds like your had been already.

How are the retaining clip on the ball joints?

No good now. Once they get ripped out they're pretty much useless. I've tried to reshape them buy they don't work. I guess it's another new strut.

Maybe my upper ball mount bracket is bent. Nothing else makes sense since everything is tight and the strut only pops off when I close it. Maybe I'll get both the bracket and strut and pray for a miracle this time.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Sending you a PM with some info that may help...

 

[Coastiejoe]

Can you post pics like mine to give me something to compare to?

And you could try to use wire ties to hold the sockets onto the balls. I'm guessing it is more of a retainer issue than anything else. If the socket can be held onto the ball it would probably work.

 

[ReactioN]

Is there any way to just zip tie or tape the S#*t out of the head to the ball? Mine popped off my 08 RXTX as well and I put it back on. Not too hard to do but I was looking at it and seems we could zip tie it to the bracket to keep it from flexing off?

 

[red2blue]

kk-

If your items are in the same place as Joe's...try swapping the top rod to the other side of the linkage. This will in effect.....move it to the left a bit and straighten out the alignment with the strut's top.

 

[KK40384]

I'm going to leave it as is an run a couple of zip ties around the ball mount and bracket. If that doesn't work I'll experiment with flipping the ball to the other side. I'll post picks once I do it this weekend. Between this and trying to assess where the RX stands, I'll have a busy Saturday.

 

[red2blue]

I wouldn't change the strut's orientation. I'd place the triangle linkage on the other side of the rear mount and the other side of the upper rod.

 

[KK40384]

Well the zip ties were a n epic fail. Couldn't get enough slack to allow for the movement of the strut or it would slide off. The only one that worked I used a zip tie too big (the ones we use to zip tie people hands behind their backs instead of cuffs) and it ended up breaking the end off the strut lol. I have a link to a site that sells the ends only. I'll order a few and hope they fit and start over. In the meantime it'll be fine with no strut assist.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Have an idea... Use your phone or a GoPro and a good flashlight. Have it video at the ball that is failing. Then watch the video. It may show you what is happening to cause the failure...