Interest check - ~Kellyefields~ custom hood damper kit

MarkGideon · 02-23-2013, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NitrousZ34

One of my struts shattered when i closed the hood down. I got the hood closed, a couple seconds later i just hear a loud pop and the bottom of the strut was broken off.

I think I know why.

I installed mine this morning, and took them off 5 minutes later.

As I SLOWLY closed the hood, I noticed that it sounded like the dampeners were contacting something. I checked everything again, and repeated with same results. I watched as I closed the third time and the dampeners were contacting the plastic trim that the battery and brake service lids snap into. Also, just after contact as the hood was lowered the last couple inches the inner part of the strut (the lower end that goes into the upper part) actually started to flex and BEND as it contacted the plastic trim cover.

So I attempted to make adjustments to the plastic trim to see if it could be moved any so the strut could clear. No luck. The contact is not minor. Pics below show the amount the struts are having to push the plastic trim out of shape so the hood would close. Once closed there is still a hood bulge.

It is likely that in your installation that you too had a bit of flexing going on in the dampener, and after a few minutes under that stress the end cap just gave up.

While I really do appreciate the effort that went into putting this together for the community, I just cannot leave them on with this much of an issue with the clearance upon closing.

Open to show the plastic trim and weatherstrip along the top edge of the fender.

Closing to show how the contact of the dampener with the plastic trim pushes it out of shape as the hood is closed.

And just a little bit more closed. I could not get any pics showing the flex of the dampener as it was just too dark under the hood and the pics just did not come out well.

At least for me, there was just not enough room for the dampener and the plastic trim under the hood. The plastic gave as far as it would go, and the dampener flexed as much as it could, and the hood still had a bit of a bulge in it.

dmhenderson · 02-23-2013, 12:23 PM

But this didn't happen when Kelly installed them on the vehicle in the video. I don't get it.

MarkGideon · 02-23-2013, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmhenderson

But this didn't happen when Kelly installed them on the vehicle in the video. I don't get it.

I don't know why either. I watched both of the vids and followed the instructions exactly. I followed all of the tips like making sure the car was lowered off the jack, centering the plastic trim parts when installing the stud, making sure the upper bracket was straight. I even trimmed a notch in the foam part under the dampener to make sure it had a channel to lay in to close.

I haven't seen anyone else with this issue, so maybe I just got "lucky" on this one.

dmhenderson · 02-23-2013, 01:56 PM

I didn't get to pick up the car from the place that did the install today because my wheel wasn't back from the powder shop but I'll ask them if there was anything "funny" about the kit when they installed it once I go pick it up.

cdoxp800 · 02-23-2013, 02:14 PM

Just ordered. Thanks Kelly

gurneyeagle · 02-23-2013, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkGideon

I don't know why either. I watched both of the vids and followed the instructions exactly. I followed all of the tips like making sure the car was lowered off the jack, centering the plastic trim parts when installing the stud, making sure the upper bracket was straight. I even trimmed a notch in the foam part under the dampener to make sure it had a channel to lay in to close.

I haven't seen anyone else with this issue, so maybe I just got "lucky" on this one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmhenderson

I didn't get to pick up the car from the place that did the install today because my wheel wasn't back from the powder shop but I'll ask them if there was anything "funny" about the kit when they installed it once I go pick it up.

Just a hunch repeated here, but I really think the bulging problems folks are experiencing with the struts - both Z1 and now Kelly's - are due to manufacturing tolerances with the cars.

Up until now, there haven't been any problems reported with Kelly's, and a few with Z1's, maybe they have more out in the field.

Good luck to all as I can sympathize with your frustration. At least we all know Kelly is a stand-up guy who will get a fix in place.

simota1 · 02-23-2013, 02:38 PM

the strut popping out ive experienced... i think its due to the angle of the bolt on the engine bay.... you guys just have to add washers so that it will raise the ball bolt 1-2 washers will do the trick.... and it wont raise the hood either

LMBmikeZ · 02-23-2013, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simota1

the strut popping out ive experienced... i think its due to the angle of the bolt on the engine bay.... you guys just have to add washers so that it will raise the ball bolt 1-2 washers will do the trick.... and it wont raise the hood either

I like it good tip! Sounds right and probably the route I would go, I know at work we are always "shimming" to get things to level off or close properly

simota1 · 02-23-2013, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMBmikeZ

I like it good tip! Sounds right and probably the route I would go, I know at work we are always "shimming" to get things to level off or close properly

thanks man... it first happened to me after they painted my z... the strut kept popping out... i thought the guys at the paint shop messed up my strut... i was so frustrated... until i figured it out....

simota1 · 02-23-2013, 02:52 PM

and as far as the hood bulge i never had an issue with that part...

it could be that maybe some struts are stronger when produced by the manufacturer perhaps? thats why its not a consistent problem...

MarkGideon · 02-23-2013, 03:06 PM

I think in my case the hood bulge is because of the upward flex of the dampener because it is pushing downward against the plastic trim. I will pick up a few washers this week and give it another try. From the looks of how mine was closing I may need to shim a good 3/16 to 1/4 inch to get it to clear the plastic trim.

LMBmikeZ · 02-23-2013, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkGideon

I think in my case the hood bulge is because of the upward flex of the dampener because it is pushing downward against the plastic trim. I will pick up a few washers this week and give it another try. From the looks of how mine was closing I may need to shim a good 3/16 to 1/4 inch to get it to clear the plastic trim.

That's ok just start with 2 washers then go up from there

you would be surprised how well a couple washer will work as shims

2 washers should get you at least 1/8" to 3/16"

simota1 · 02-23-2013, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkGideon

I think in my case the hood bulge is because of the upward flex of the dampener because it is pushing downward against the plastic trim. I will pick up a few washers this week and give it another try. From the looks of how mine was closing I may need to shim a good 3/16 to 1/4 inch to get it to clear the plastic trim.

mine did that too.... thats why i had to remove them on my PWJDM CF engine covers it has indented my clear coat.... i think you should be ok once you put the washers bud

TerribleONE · 02-23-2013, 04:29 PM

I don't even know if I want to install this anymore...

let me know if the washers do the trick.

LMBmikeZ · 02-23-2013, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerribleONE

I don't even know if I want to install this anymore...

let me know if the washers do the trick.

I just picked mine up today but I have to wait till spring when I bring the Z to it's new home before I can instal mine. It will be interesting to see who has success and who has problems

02-23-2013, 12:23 PM	#167 (permalink)
dmhenderson A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 5,930 Drives: AWD TT 370z Rep Power: 27	But this didn't happen when Kelly installed them on the vehicle in the video. I don't get it. __________________

02-23-2013, 01:56 PM	#169 (permalink)
dmhenderson A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 5,930 Drives: AWD TT 370z Rep Power: 27	I didn't get to pick up the car from the place that did the install today because my wheel wasn't back from the powder shop but I'll ask them if there was anything "funny" about the kit when they installed it once I go pick it up. __________________

02-23-2013, 02:14 PM	#170 (permalink)
cdoxp800 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: FL Posts: 1,337 Drives: 2011 Nismo Rep Power: 20	Just ordered. Thanks Kelly __________________ 2011 Brilliant Silver NISMO 370z. #: 0046. PPE LTH \| MillSpec Cats \| F.I Exhaust \| Akuma Intakes \| Rotora 6/4 Brakes

02-23-2013, 02:38 PM	#172 (permalink)
simota1 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Dededo, Guam Posts: 6,642 Drives: solid red 370z 6mt Rep Power: 406	the strut popping out ive experienced... i think its due to the angle of the bolt on the engine bay.... you guys just have to add washers so that it will raise the ball bolt 1-2 washers will do the trick.... and it wont raise the hood either LMBmikeZ, gurneyeagle, GaleForce and 1 others like this. __________________ *TOP SECRET/POWERHOUSE AMUSE/ARC/DAYTONA RACING/VARIS/MINES/GANADOR/J-LINE/WORK EMOTION CR KAI/GT SPEC/CARBON SIGNAL/ZOOM ENGINEERING/ CARBON FIBER ELEMENT/STILLEN/*

02-23-2013, 02:52 PM	#175 (permalink)
simota1 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Dededo, Guam Posts: 6,642 Drives: solid red 370z 6mt Rep Power: 406	and as far as the hood bulge i never had an issue with that part... it could be that maybe some struts are stronger when produced by the manufacturer perhaps? thats why its not a consistent problem... gurneyeagle and Nut_N_Much like this. __________________ *TOP SECRET/POWERHOUSE AMUSE/ARC/DAYTONA RACING/VARIS/MINES/GANADOR/J-LINE/WORK EMOTION CR KAI/GT SPEC/CARBON SIGNAL/ZOOM ENGINEERING/ CARBON FIBER ELEMENT/STILLEN/*

02-23-2013, 03:06 PM	#176 (permalink)
MarkGideon Base Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: USA, SC Posts: 213 Drives: 2012 370Z Base Rep Power: 14	I think in my case the hood bulge is because of the upward flex of the dampener because it is pushing downward against the plastic trim. I will pick up a few washers this week and give it another try. From the looks of how mine was closing I may need to shim a good 3/16 to 1/4 inch to get it to clear the plastic trim. Nut_N_Much likes this. __________________ 2012 370Z Base Gun Metallic--2015 Altima 2.5SV Gun Metallic--2020 Chevy Silverado RST--1965 Chevy C10 Stepside Shortbed

02-23-2013, 04:29 PM	#179 (permalink)
TerribleONE A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 10,203 Drives: WOT Rep Power: 5851	I don't even know if I want to install this anymore... let me know if the washers do the trick. __________________ 638WHP 541WTQ @ 13.5PSI Build thread

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