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78 Posts
[quote author=MattJackson86 link=topic=126589.msg2821065#msg2821065 date=1230001806]
My install I too finally got it installed tonight. It was a major PITA. The broken bolt could not be removed so we had to drill a fresh hole and use that. The brackets do fit and must go on the labeled side. They look odd, and do rub a bit, but upon playing with the fitment they work. Overall the install was way worse than expected due to the hardware provided. The hardware is very generic and not at all designed for the mazda3. The bolt holes are way to big for the stock hardware so washers we needed to make it fit better. I had issues with the hardware rotating under the force of the hood closing/opening. Again, some washers on the hood bracket made this a little better. The end result looks great and open the hood well. I just wish that the the hardware was made more specific for the mazda3, or at very least bolts and washers were provided to aid the install. Instructions need to be provided by partsplaza and if it were not for the instruction provided by another member I would have had nothing to compare my install against. I ended up missing one of the socket connector locks. I PM'ed partsplaza to hopefully get another sent to me.
Overall am I happy with the end result? Mostly. I just hate knowing what we had to go through to get there. The dampers do work as expected so that is good.
Would I recommend this kit to someone else? Probably not. Not unless partsplaza make some much better instructions and they are included with the parts. Much more attention needs to be put on the "L" and "R" placement. Better bolts and washers would be great. A mention that the stock bolts should not be made tight as they snap real easy. If all this was mentioned then it would be a great install and very quick.
[/quote]
I think some if not all of your concerns were addressed. I ordered this Action Racing hood lift kit despite some complaints about the "bouncy hood" and that the mounting points not as effective as the Redline kit.
When I got this kit, the hood brackets were labeled with stickers saying "L" and "R". Came with 4 washers that had very little play. I didn't snap any bolts and it was pretty easy to install. My only gripe is that the hood brackets have some amount of play before you install them, but once the hood bolts are tightened it's no longer a problem. I'll probably remove the checker flag sticker though. I also unhooked the weather strip at the ends and folded them downward.
As for the bounciness it's no fault of the hood struts. It's actually the OEM hood bracket and maybe the hood itself (to a degree) flexing. Once the hood is up there isn't any bouncing. About halfway up it's neutral, and about 2/3rds of the way up it opens on it's own. This is way better than that flimsy prop rod.
The other bonus is that there is no drilling, and because of that, completely reversible. Also there isn't as much room for error using this kit, compared to the Redline kit.
My only concern is how long this kit will last.
My install I too finally got it installed tonight. It was a major PITA. The broken bolt could not be removed so we had to drill a fresh hole and use that. The brackets do fit and must go on the labeled side. They look odd, and do rub a bit, but upon playing with the fitment they work. Overall the install was way worse than expected due to the hardware provided. The hardware is very generic and not at all designed for the mazda3. The bolt holes are way to big for the stock hardware so washers we needed to make it fit better. I had issues with the hardware rotating under the force of the hood closing/opening. Again, some washers on the hood bracket made this a little better. The end result looks great and open the hood well. I just wish that the the hardware was made more specific for the mazda3, or at very least bolts and washers were provided to aid the install. Instructions need to be provided by partsplaza and if it were not for the instruction provided by another member I would have had nothing to compare my install against. I ended up missing one of the socket connector locks. I PM'ed partsplaza to hopefully get another sent to me.
Overall am I happy with the end result? Mostly. I just hate knowing what we had to go through to get there. The dampers do work as expected so that is good.
Would I recommend this kit to someone else? Probably not. Not unless partsplaza make some much better instructions and they are included with the parts. Much more attention needs to be put on the "L" and "R" placement. Better bolts and washers would be great. A mention that the stock bolts should not be made tight as they snap real easy. If all this was mentioned then it would be a great install and very quick.
[/quote]
I think some if not all of your concerns were addressed. I ordered this Action Racing hood lift kit despite some complaints about the "bouncy hood" and that the mounting points not as effective as the Redline kit.
When I got this kit, the hood brackets were labeled with stickers saying "L" and "R". Came with 4 washers that had very little play. I didn't snap any bolts and it was pretty easy to install. My only gripe is that the hood brackets have some amount of play before you install them, but once the hood bolts are tightened it's no longer a problem. I'll probably remove the checker flag sticker though. I also unhooked the weather strip at the ends and folded them downward.
As for the bounciness it's no fault of the hood struts. It's actually the OEM hood bracket and maybe the hood itself (to a degree) flexing. Once the hood is up there isn't any bouncing. About halfway up it's neutral, and about 2/3rds of the way up it opens on it's own. This is way better than that flimsy prop rod.
The other bonus is that there is no drilling, and because of that, completely reversible. Also there isn't as much room for error using this kit, compared to the Redline kit.
My only concern is how long this kit will last.
