I bought some hood support struts on amazon ("A-Premium" brand) for about 30 bucks for the pair because the ones at the local auto store were 36 each although they come with a lifetime warranty. However the ones I got, even tho the extended length was the same the compressed length was not. After installation my hood wouldn't shut. I know the way amazon inventories things in their warehouse makes mistakes of similar looking parts to get sent out but sometimes the items themselves are just not right to begin with. So my question is, how long do these things generally last? Has anyone bought some of the cheaper ones from rockauto and have any issues?

 

My 2008 is still using the OEM ones. (hood & lift gate ones).

 

'06 with original hood struts.
Liftgate struts were changed out 2 years ago.
I try to only buy from Rockauto and I don't do cheap.
With that said I have never had a problem with quality

 

Mine is an 06. The tail gate seems original but may not hold up in the next few winters. The hood ones never worked but I have a plank of wood that fits perfect so I've never really bothered but I decided to finally change them. Made me think about how often they fail.. thanks for the input fellas!

 

I also almost always buy from Rock Auto. I don't buy their parts that are listed under the "Economy" section, but from the "Standard" section. Sometimes they even have a "Heavy-Duty" section with even better parts.

For every one time you open the hood, the liftgate probably gets opened 50 times. That's why hood struts rarely fail, while liftgate struts occasionally fail. I have 5 HHRs and have never replaced a hood strut but have replaced a few liftgate struts.

I have had a few liftgate strut ball brackets fail where the ball shaft rusted and broke off. The bracket on the liftgate is expensive and hard to find. I finally found a source on the net for the right size ball that has a screw shaft. I just drill out the old ball shaft and screw in the new ball. The new ball with screw shaft and nut is only about $4 instead of much more for the bracket ($26 list price at dealer).

Steve

 

i seem to have the opposite problem - my hatch struts seem strong - i have not idea if they've ever been replaced though. My hood ones on the other hand are prob original and even when it's hot in florida they are now getting so bad they'll fail - usually while my head is in the way and i get hit by the corner of the *#$! hood.
I don't like how the hood doesn't open vertically all the way- it appears that if it had different/longer struts, it would clear everything along the lower windshield area. Has anyone done a hack for this and have a recommendation?
I imagine as the originator of this post got the wrong size causing the hood not to close. Maybe the mount points would have to be repositioned to accept a longer strut. Have to brush up on my geometry i guess.

 

My 2011 has both front and rear OEM struts ! Picked up After market rear for my sons HHR and they fit perfect !
IMO you may have a defective set or they made a packing error

 

Read the ad closely. It says "NOT fit" many times. I had to read it 5 times to make sense of it, evidently they are saying that it fits some cars but not HHR.
Next item down is $2 less and does fit.

 

original part number: 22714717 .
You yourself know, but just in case, I will say that you can return the wrong part to the seller. Read the return policy on Amazon in the policy section.
The next time you buy parts, simple rules:
1. Gather as much information as possible about the part you are looking for (dimensions, key parameters, fastening features, alternative parts, manufacturer reviews, etc.);
2. Do not believe immediately, check in 2-3 sources of information;
3. Find on the Internet posts of people who have already bought this part and attached it to their car - in 10% of cases the experience is unsuccessful;
4. Don't throw away the old part. When you get the new part in your hands, compare it with the old part before you pay (not suitable for online trading);
5. Before you pay, make sure that the part is guaranteed and returnable (suitable for online shopping).

 

Some of the rear hatch struts that are listed to “fit” have a shorter extended length and don’t open it as far, so watch for that.