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How to: Steeda Hood Struts

ThatsMrGimp2U

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Hey guys. Figured I would throw this together real quick as some people haven't seen how easy it is to put these in. I really wish I had done these sooner, its much nicer to reach around the engine bay without the prop rod interfering.

Tools/Materials Needed:
-3/8" drive ratchet
-13mm socket
-10mm socket
-flat blade screw driver
-drill
-~1/8 drill bit
-7/8 drill bit
-blue Loctite
-rubbing alcohol

Install:
Open up the hood and support it with the prop rod. We are going to install the larger brackets included with the kit first. These go on the hood itself, with the socket facing inwards to the car. The passenger side bracket has an additional hole in it to accommodate the wiper fluid hose tie down. Just pull that out with your fingers. If you can't get it pry it out with your screwdriver, placing a rag or cloth in between it and the paint. Once thats out of the way remove the top (forward when the hood is down) 13mm nut. Grab the passenger side bracket, look at the backside and place the supplied rubber piece just above the steeda logo. It may be an idea to wipe this area off with alcohol first. Put into position with the stud from the hood going through the lower hole (the hole for the washer line should be lined up with the top hole in the bracket). Put the painted nut/washer combo back in place and tighten to 17 ft/lbs. Same steps for the drivers side. Remember, the sockets should face towards the engine bay.

This is what you should have so far.
Passenger Side
IMG_20160609_165410991_zpsyaeqlmtw.webp

Driver Side
IMG_20160609_165420733_zpskzaaweou.webp


Now lets move on to the fender mounts. The battery tray needs a 7/8 hole drilled into it. Steeda's instructions say to mark this hole on the car. I took it upon myself to do it on the bench and think its slightly off as a result. Once you use the template to mark your hole, remove the remaining screw/stud fasteners and take the tray cover off. Pilot your hole with something around a 1/8 drill bit, then use a 7/8 bit (or step bit) to open it up. I touched up the edges with a file, you may not need to if you use a standard bit.

With the battery tray out of the way, the fender mounts are next. Put some loctite on the provided bolt before placing it through the bracket and threading it into the fender nut.

IMG_20160609_170917185_zps5sncbawg.webp


This is where it gets a little tricky. The instructions say you will find a groove with the nut running from left to right that will keep it from spinning. I didn't really get a good feeling of it. What i did was lift the bolt up from under neath the head with the blade of a flathead screwdriver, while tightening it with the 13mm socket. Worked like a charm. Tighten to 13 ft/lbs.

IMG_20160609_171131003_zpsywqk6mka.webp


With the brackets on, its time to get the battery tray back into place. Coerce the tray over the fender bracket, line up the tabs by the firewall, and reinstall the threaded studs.

IMG_20160609_171118162_zpsjmjxrhhf.jpg


Steeda recommends waiting 24hrs to allow loctite to cure before installing the struts. Installing them is as simple as pushing them on. Spin the smaller shaft end to where the socket is opposite the one on the thicker end of the rod. The larger diameter of the rod connects to the hood. I should add, the sweet stickers that are included aren't intended for your toolbox. They look to be the perfect fit for the diameter of the strut...

After your connections are made close the hood slowly making sure nothing is making contact before you try and close it all the way. I heard some creaking the first time it shut. Has yet to do it since. Should you choose to, take a 10mm socket and remove the prop rod. I did, and put the screw back in its place to cover the hole.

Enjoy your propless hood!

IMG_20160609_171723750_HDR_zpskubyvtcy.webp
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ThatsMrGimp2U

ThatsMrGimp2U

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All in all I am overly pleased with these. The brackets are beefy, flawlessly powdercoated, and the struts have more than enough strength for the hood. It really is a shame I hadn't done this sooner, before all the engine mods I've had to complete while dancing around the rod. Such a nice car should have come with these from the factory, but these definitely look the part.
 

scott_0

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nice how to man!
 

Chameleon

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Nice write up sir!
 

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I would add, maybe include more close up side shots of the strut.
 

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ThatsMrGimp2U

ThatsMrGimp2U

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David@Steeda

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Nice write-up! Thanks for sharing with everyone, I'm sure they will find it useful! :)
 

smoke_wagon_6g

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About to install my own struts and do write up. But I doubt it would improve on yours. Haha. Good work!

Going to revive this thread because longevity and durability matter. So tell us, how do the struts look after two years? Do the struts still hold the hood up okay? What does the hardware look like now and did anything shift?
 

Texatl

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I’ve had mine for about a year (same ones- Steeda Hood Strut Kit)- and they look fantastic, no issues, no shifting, etc... a must buy. One of the best things I have done to the Mustang- from an “ease of use” and “ease of install” standpoint.
 

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Mind the positioning of the windshield washer tubing. I have an '18 coupe and convertible and it got crushed between the forward strut end and the hood... on both cars. Move it out of the way before you close the hood for the first time!

This didn't happen on my '17 V6.
 

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michail71

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About to install my own struts and do write up. But I doubt it would improve on yours. Haha. Good work!

Going to revive this thread because longevity and durability matter. So tell us, how do the struts look after two years? Do the struts still hold the hood up okay? What does the hardware look like now and did anything shift?
For 2018+ the torque specs on the hood are 13 ft lbs. Steeda still has kits with the 2015-2017 specs.

It is very important as those bolts will snap!
 

smoke_wagon_6g

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For 2018+ the torque specs on the hood are 13 ft lbs. Steeda still has kits with the 2015-2017 specs.

It is very important as those bolts will snap!
So I began the install. Man are those hood studs skinny on the 2018! Decided to return the kit. Sad about this but longevity trumps apparance. Steeds should regesign the kit. I'd like to try again someday.
 

michail71

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Mine has been holding up great since I had a stud tig welded back on the car.

The size of the brackets and rubber pads probably make the steeda one of the best options on the market.
 

smoke_wagon_6g

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Mine has been holding up great since I had a stud tig welded back on the car.

The size of the brackets and rubber pads probably make the steeda one of the best options on the market.
I did like the strut kit. If only I was able to tig weld I would have welded the struts in place! Really Ford put the skinniest studs I've ever seen on such a big piece of metal like the hood.
 

michail71

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I had never bothered to look at hood bolts before. But everyone I went to to fix the bolt said they had never seen such small bolts on a hood.
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