- 02/01/2017
- 0 Min Read
- By: Alex Fiehl
Replacing the Hood Lift Strut on a 1988 Mercedes-Benz 190E
Replacing the engine hood lift strut on a 1988 Mercedes-Benz 190E is an easy DIY that takes virtually no time to complete.
Part + Tools you’ll need:
- Hood Lift Strut
- Needle Nose Pliers
- Small Flathead Screwdriver
- Hood Prop (like a broom stick handle)
Ready to replace your hood lift strut?
Unlock the hood, pull out the hood release lever and raise the hood:
Temporarily prop up the hood with something so that it stays raised when you remove the old strut. I used the handle of a long reach scrubbing brush as it was just the right length:
Disconnect the top end of the strut from the hood by squeezing the locking tabs and pulling out the sleeve:
Disconnect the bottom end of the strut from the fender by pulling out the locking clip:
Compare the old strut with the new one. Mine was shot and didn’t hold up the hood at all:
Install the new strut by going in reverse. Reattach the bottom locking clip:
Slip in the top sleeve. Note that you may need to bend back out the locking tabs to ensure the sleeve won’t come out on its own:
Use a small flathead screwdriver to get the locking tabs out enough:
Remove your temporary hood prop and test the new strut by lowering + raising the hood to confirm all is good!
