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mgfiest
Date Registered: 09-2009
Location: Leamington, Ontario, Canada
TOTAL POSTS: 406
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Re: Mike's SE from Ontario Canada
Ok Alan, the crease point... are you saying that where the strut attaches to the bonnet could be an unsafe position. Creating somekind of stress?
We will double check on the mounting near the windscreen but I am sure it was metal that they were attaching it to...
--- Michael
X-1400
2005 SE Red,Auto, 2.5l, Cosmo Racing CAI, AlphaMirror Auto-Dimming Mirror, RedlineTuning Gas Hood Struts, Rear Brake Decal, Modified Centre Armrest
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12/Nov/2009, 10:15 pm
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jalalski
Date Registered: 02-2004
Location: SUTHERLAND, SYDNEY
TOTAL POSTS: 29100
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Re: Mike's SE from Ontario Canada
Dave,
Am not really all that fussed about it being reverse set-up to the one we already tested and using, what I am saying is that attaching that bracket to the edge of the bonnet is absolutely un-safe and nothing will hold the bracket in place solidly in that position.
I am saying this from first hand experience and yes, I do still have HUGE holes in the inner edge of my bonnet where these brackets used to be.
The pressure created by the gas struts will put a huge stress on those points and with time you will notice that inner edge of the bonnet to start loosing shape and the whole bracket will come loose. The inner edge of the bonnet is not that strong at all and the metal can bend easily.
If the US company was all that professional with their development of such a kit, they would have used a more conventional method that did NOT require any drilling as it is the case with many other aftermarket gas struts. Instead they seem to offer a backward and primitive solution that introduces great risks to car owners! They mainly do so to have a universal set-up I believe.
Last edited by jalalski, 13/Nov/2009, 4:46 am
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13/Nov/2009, 3:29 am
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cooch t31
X-TRAIL HOLIC
Date Registered: 06-2008
Location: Blue Mountains, NSW
TOTAL POSTS: 5966
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Re: Mike's SE from Ontario Canada
The struts look good Michael.
I have to agree with the others though, it does look a little weak the way they ran the struts opposite to the way they are fitted here.
I suppose just keep an eye on how they work and go from there.
--- Tony X-891c
HERE is my D22 Navara
HERE is my old 2008 T31, ST Series1
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13/Nov/2009, 4:44 am
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mgfiest
Date Registered: 09-2009
Location: Leamington, Ontario, Canada
TOTAL POSTS: 406
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Re: Mike's SE from Ontario Canada
Look... I am not trying to create an international conflict.... you have your way in doing it ... they have their way.... here is his comment.
Our hood brackets will not loosen over time. These are not some off the shelf rivets that you can purchase at a local hardware store. We have spent a great deal of time researching and working with our rivet supplier to develop rivets that flair out on the backside insuring a solid bond between the inner hood skin and our bracket. We have sold over 25,000 kits with no issues.
The attachment point on the lower fender is actually the strongest point in that area. This is where the fender bolts up to the upper frame of the vehicle. If you look at where our ball stud is bolting in to, you will see the steel bracket that supports the fender and now our ball stud. This is a very secure mounting location as it sends the force of the gas spring through the ball stud, to the steel bracket, to the upper frame.
Mike, we have been in business for 7 years and have developed over 150 unique hood QuickLIFT systems. We know what issues to look for when designing a kit.
--- Michael
X-1400
2005 SE Red,Auto, 2.5l, Cosmo Racing CAI, AlphaMirror Auto-Dimming Mirror, RedlineTuning Gas Hood Struts, Rear Brake Decal, Modified Centre Armrest
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13/Nov/2009, 6:31 am
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jalalski
Date Registered: 02-2004
Location: SUTHERLAND, SYDNEY
TOTAL POSTS: 29100
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Re: Mike's SE from Ontario Canada
No conflicts will happen as a result of this mate, don't worry LOL
They're however using a method that is exactly 7 years old. This is when I first designed and attempted to fit the hood struts on my own exy and am sure you have seen the pics already.
There is no "our way" and "their way" with bonnet struts, there is only a safe way and less destructive design of doing it and what they have come-up with doesn't fall in these 2 categories am afraid.
In any case, its your car and you can do whatever you like to it, just like I did with mine, but please keep an eye on it and stay away from the path of the gas struts when you decide to open the bonnet/hood.
P.S. I would like to see their "special" rivets that they're referring to to compare them to the ones used by trades people in many other applications and they're the same ones available in hardware stores!
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13/Nov/2009, 6:42 am
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rescue1
X-TRAIL HOLIC
Date Registered: 01-2009
TOTAL POSTS: 1384
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Re: Mike's SE from Ontario Canada
quote: mgfiest wrote:
Ok Alan, the crease point... are you saying that where the strut attaches to the bonnet could be an unsafe position. Creating somekind of stress?
We will double check on the mounting near the windscreen but I am sure it was metal that they were attaching it to...
The bracket actually bridges the crease point at the side of it, creating a strong point where the bonnet is designed to be weak meaning it may not fold in the way it is designed to in case of impact. As a 20 year + veteran of road accident rescue its not a design I'm happy with. Bottom line is its your car and if you're happy and the struts work - no problem. Funny thing is I had the exact method suggested to me last weekend when I was looking at getting struts fitted to the bonnet of the Navara (Frontier in your part of the world) and the strut guys didn't even know that depression was at deliberate "weak point" in the bonnet to make it bend in an accident.
--- Alan & Phillipa
2008 X-Trail TL White Diamond
Plumpton NSW
Our Mods
X-1112 (C)
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13/Nov/2009, 1:41 pm
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mgfiest
Date Registered: 09-2009
Location: Leamington, Ontario, Canada
TOTAL POSTS: 406
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Re: Mike's SE from Ontario Canada
I have discuss this crease point with the installers... it is know as the crumple crease... they have done their research on other vehicles they have installed and their application does not imped on the way the bonnet is suppose to crumple in the event of an accident.
I would like to thank you guys for all you feedback.
--- Michael
X-1400
2005 SE Red,Auto, 2.5l, Cosmo Racing CAI, AlphaMirror Auto-Dimming Mirror, RedlineTuning Gas Hood Struts, Rear Brake Decal, Modified Centre Armrest
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14/Nov/2009, 9:42 pm
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mgfiest
Date Registered: 09-2009
Location: Leamington, Ontario, Canada
TOTAL POSTS: 406
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Re: Mike's SE from Ontario Canada
Another small mod change... got rid of the armrest and put in a homegrown one.... I could not resist... only had to pay material....
I used the existing foundation and replaced with something that I can live with.
Last edited by mgfiest, 1/Dec/2009, 5:47 am
--- Michael
X-1400
2005 SE Red,Auto, 2.5l, Cosmo Racing CAI, AlphaMirror Auto-Dimming Mirror, RedlineTuning Gas Hood Struts, Rear Brake Decal, Modified Centre Armrest
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1/Dec/2009, 1:51 am
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cooch t31
X-TRAIL HOLIC
Date Registered: 06-2008
Location: Blue Mountains, NSW
TOTAL POSTS: 5966
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Re: Mike's SE from Ontario Canada
Very good Michael,
It looks like its the perfect height for your right arm, and comfy too.
--- Tony X-891c
HERE is my D22 Navara
HERE is my old 2008 T31, ST Series1
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1/Dec/2009, 5:30 am
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mgfiest
Date Registered: 09-2009
Location: Leamington, Ontario, Canada
TOTAL POSTS: 406
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Re: Mike's SE from Ontario Canada
thanks Tony,
It is just what this guy was looking for... comfort and cheap
I am very impress for an individual that is retired and was willing to try something different.
--- Michael
X-1400
2005 SE Red,Auto, 2.5l, Cosmo Racing CAI, AlphaMirror Auto-Dimming Mirror, RedlineTuning Gas Hood Struts, Rear Brake Decal, Modified Centre Armrest
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1/Dec/2009, 5:34 am
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