Owl Hood Strut Install

Introduction

This tutorial provides a step-by-step guide to installing gas struts for the hood of your Sprinter van. This upgrade enhances convenience by allowing the hood to stay open without requiring manual support, making maintenance and access easier.

Step 1: Gather Required Tools and Materials

Before starting the installation, ensure you have the following tools and materials ready:

• Owl Sprinter Hood Strut Kit
• Socket wrench set
• Screwdriver
• Torque wrench
• Safety glasses
• Gloves

Step 2: Prepare Your Vehicle

• Park your Sprinter van on a level surface to ensure stability during installation.
• Turn off the engine and remove the keys to prevent any accidental starts.
• If necessary, disconnect the battery to ensure safety while working.

Step 3: Remove the Existing Hood Stay

• Locate the existing hood stay, which is typically mounted on one side of the engine bay.
• Use a socket wrench to unfasten the bolts securing the hood stay.
• Carefully remove the hood stay from its mounting points. Dispose of it as needed.

Step 4: Install the Gas Strut Brackets

• Identify the mounting locations for the gas strut brackets. These should align with the original hood stay’s locations.
• Attach the brackets provided in the Owl kit using the bolts from the kit. Ensure they are secured tightly.
• Use a torque wrench to verify that the bolts are tightened to the manufacturer's specifications.

Step 5: Attach the Gas Struts

• Take the gas struts from the kit and identify the ends (ball joints).
• Connect one end of each gas strut to the bracket on the vehicle body.
• Attach the other end of the gas strut to the bracket on the hood.
• Ensure that the fittings snap securely into place.

Step 6: Test the Installation

• Slowly lift the hood to test the gas struts. The hood should open smoothly and stay in place without any manual support.
• Close the hood gently to ensure there are no obstructions and that the struts operate correctly.

Conclusion

Installing gas struts on your Sprinter van's hood is a straightforward upgrade that significantly improves usability. By following these steps, you can easily complete the installation and enjoy the convenience of an automatically supported hood. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to contact the Owl team for support.