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Hood warping from hood support struts?

Kelly D

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Has anyone that has installed the hood lift supports experienced and hood warping?
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BonRunner

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You probably misaligned the bolts when reinstalled.
 

BadTrainDriver

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Has anyone that has installed the hood lift supports experienced and hood warping?
I don't see how this is even possible. The mount that attaches to the hood goes on top of the hinge, and the hinge is attached to the lower part of the hood skin. How in the world you could warp your hood is beyond me, even if you WAY over torqued the mounting bolt.

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2025 4runner 6th gen Hood warping from hood support struts? Screenshot 2026-02-15 112435
 
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Kelly D

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I do not have any warping issues…my question was has anyone else experienced it. I have yet to install the struts and judging from the last post I don’t need to be concerned about it…thank you
 
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Kelly D

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From the way your query was written it suggests you have as well. Has anyone experienced hood warpage from installing would have been appropriate. "Else" suggests you already have, no?
 
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Kelly D

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Ok..you’re right..strike the else
 

Scrappopatamus

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Sometimes we write in haste. No harm, no foul. We haven't had issues with proper operation or warpage with ours.
 

127.0.0.1

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I don't see how this is even possible. The mount that attaches to the hood goes on top of the hinge, and the hinge is attached to the lower part of the hood skin. How in the world you could warp your hood is beyond me, even if you WAY over torqued the mounting bolt.

This thread needs pictures...

Screenshot 2026-02-15 112435.webp
if one strut become stiff or harder to compress, closing the hood could easily twist and warp
the hood itself. it is a lightweight aluminum hood and already known to show vibrations and flexing from wind. and it is not designed to handle gas strut compression forces at the hinges.

so now you are asking the hood to perform beyond design parameters and compress two gas struts. that could go wrong and twist the hood if one strut fails

not saying it will happen, but Toyota is known to design hinges as minimally as possible. reference rav4 liftgate hinges ripping out and warping on power liftgates using all OEM parts.
2025 4runner 6th gen Hood warping from hood support struts? 1771180758825-50
2025 4runner 6th gen Hood warping from hood support struts? 1771181245546-ix


these hood struts send forces into the hood structure where it was not engineered to perform that way...hence some damage risk exists which doesn't exist with the prop rod
 
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Lamuncha

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I have always hesitated to "improve" the functionality of any OEM system.
What 127.0.0.1 has written is true. There are a lot more structural, electronic, software etc relationships than we are aware of.
Could be fine, might not be, but I also am relying on that piston to never fail while I am under the hood.
I have used oil filled pistons to actuate windows when the temp inside rises. Replace some in 6 months some in 2 years.
They are not automotive quality for sure but not going to chance it.
 

4RNerAndScrubs

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I have a Carbon hood and installed hood struts. Definitely a preferred mod. It was nerve racking because I couldn't get it aligned exactly and the struts would not compress and when I gently attempted to close it I heard a lil crunch from the carbon. But once aligned it worked perfectly. Inspected the hood hinges and the carbon and it was all good.
 
 







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