Adding hydraulic bonnet struts to the Formentor

EuKiwi

Active Member
Jul 7, 2021
196
113
Bavaria, Germany
I have one in Abarth (and real handbrake too), so was not shocked ;-) I would buy the struts, but to be honest, how often am I going to open the bonnet during 2 years lease? To top up windscreen fluid every few months? I assume, car will tell me if I need to top up engine oil or is it manual check too?
You're entirely correct - for me, it's more the winter months, with salt on the roads here in Germany where you really go through the windscreen wash - otherwise there's no real reason other than 'because I can and I'm a stubborn idiot' :)
 

Agnes.Surrey

Active Member
Nov 6, 2020
767
416
Surrey
OK, I checked and there's real oil dipstick. Added the windscreen wash as well. So that was second time I opened the bonnet and I have car since March.
 

EuKiwi

Active Member
Jul 7, 2021
196
113
Bavaria, Germany
OK, I checked and there's real oil dipstick. Added the windscreen wash as well. So that was second time I opened the bonnet and I have car since March.

Yeah so probably not much point really - as mentioned in winter I have the bonnet up once a week or two to refill washing fluid due to salt accumulating on the windscreen.

My last car didn't have a low-level indicator also which was a real pain in the arse - anyone know if the Formentor does?
 

Deleted member 131219

Guest
My struts are due to be delivered today; @EuKiwi , I'll be following the instructions you posted, but wondered if there are any tips or tricks to look out for? For example, did you use a torque wrench for tightening the new fittings into place (and if so what setting) or just crank them up hard? Do the struts simply push onto the fittings or is there a technique? Anything else you think a sausage-fingered retard like me should look out for, please say. :cool:
 

Cuprakash

Active Member
May 9, 2021
194
125
I have one in Abarth (and real handbrake too), so was not shocked ;-) I would buy the struts, but to be honest, how often am I going to open the bonnet during 2 years lease? To top up windscreen fluid every few months? I assume, car will tell me if I need to top up engine oil or is it manual check too?
God,I must be a freak...lease car or not,I check fluids and clean under the bonnet every time I wash the car, so weekly.
 

Deleted member 131219

Guest
My struts are due to be delivered today; @EuKiwi , I'll be following the instructions you posted, but wondered if there are any tips or tricks to look out for? For example, did you use a torque wrench for tightening the new fittings into place (and if so what setting) or just crank them up hard? Do the struts simply push onto the fittings or is there a technique? Anything else you think a sausage-fingered retard like me should look out for, please say. :cool:
OK, so please ignore that question. They arrived half an hour ago, and they're now fitted and working perfectly.
 
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aguy

Active Member
Jul 6, 2021
33
12
Did someone source the struts from elsewhere? Years ago I bought cheap replacement and they were also too stiff.
Can you remove the prop afterwards to really look like a proper OEM?
 

EuKiwi

Active Member
Jul 7, 2021
196
113
Bavaria, Germany
Did someone source the struts from elsewhere? Years ago I bought cheap replacement and they were also too stiff.
Can you remove the prop afterwards to really look like a proper OEM?
Ah, it's no biggie though, just a bit more force required to open/bit more care needed when closing.

I haven't looked at removing the prop - good as a backup anyway.
 

Deleted member 131219

Guest
Yup; mine are bit urgent too. Took me by surprise first time but now I'm ready for them.
 
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