My bonnet's struts are "kaput", no longer spporting the bonnet. As I know that Jaguar branded struts will cost me more than a leg and an arm, I'd like to replace them with after market generics. But the unique way Jag struts are designed and attached to the bonnet makes me wonder whether after market products would have the ends matching OEMs.

Has anyone used nonJag bonnet struts as relacement, to post pictures thereof?

 

I have. I got a pair off ebay or amazon (don't remember which) for about $30. They snapped right in and work perfectly. They're about 8 or 9 months old now.

 

I haven't replaced the bonnet struts, but I did replace the boot lid ones about 3-4 years ago. The aftermarket ones were very cheap, but are still working albeit they are a bit rusty now. The quality of finish isn't there, but you get what you pay for, I suppose.

 

mine are shot also. i found these for $21.33 --

2004-2009 Jaguar XJ8 Hood Strut - Lesjofors W0133-1657077 - - PartsGeek.com

How easy is it to install/remove old one? I'm totally not handy at all.

 

It couldn't be simpler. Off the top of my head, there are little clamp thingies on each end of the strut. Pry those apart or off with a flat head screwdriver, remove old strut, and the new one should snap in the same way. Obviously do one side at a time, using something to prop up the hood. Literally takes 5 minutes.

 

Hi Seth, I haven't replaced these on my X358 as yet, but have replaced boot struts on my wife's VW Passat a few years ago. I found this great company who make for retailers and individuals alike, really good products

They're called SGS Engineering
www.sgs-engineering.com

How to fit a gas strut
How To Fit and Remove Tailgate Gas Struts | Help & Advice

Hope it helps
Jim

 

Seth,

I replaced our front and rear struts about a year ago. I found a pair of OE Sachs/Stabilus struts from Amazon seller Lift Support Depot for $52.47 including shipping.

I couldn't find Stabilus struts for the front anywhere, so I bought the Üro Parts struts from Rock Auto for $75.04 for the pair including shipping. All are still working very well a year later.

Cheers,

Don

 

Thank you all for your great advisory posts. I'm emboldened to do it myself and avoid costly OEMs.

I love this forum. Very very few stones are left unturned!

 

Very useful video. Much appreciated https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/i...ons/icon14.gif

 

SGS are the ones I bought for my bootlid. As I said, they seem to major on low prices, but the strut body and the piston rod do tend to rust a bit where they are exposed. However, mine still work so no point in buying any more until they start failing to lift the lid.

 

I got a pair from lift support depot. The ones originally selected by their cross reference were to long, but I selected a pair from
http://www.liftsupportsdepot.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=4529&attr=interchange_part_numbers.

I think they were the S10, but would be best to check the ball size, 8 or 10mm.
They are about $15 each. Applied on mine and a friend's a year back with no issue.