Mercedes-Benz Hood won’t stay up open – Easy Solution

The hood on your Mercedes-Benz will not stay open. This is a common problem with many Mercedes-Benz models such as:

• Mercedes-Benz E-Class W210 W211 W212
• Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class W208 W209
• C-Class C320 C350 C203 W203 W204 W205
• S Class W220 W221 W222
• SLK Class R170 R171 R172
• M-Class ML320 ML350 W163 W164 W166
• GL-Class W164 W166

It is usually caused due to wear of the gas struts or as some may refer to them as hood lift supports. Most Mercedes-Benz cars no longer use a prop rod to keep the hood up.

Typical problems include:

• The hood will not stay open / up
• The hood stays open for a few seconds then shuts
• You have to manually lift the hood
• The Hood won’t stay open by itself anymore
• Hood closes automatically
• The Hood won’t stay up anymore

Replacing the hood gas struts/lift supports is easy and can be completed in less than fifteen minutes. In this article, we will show you how to replace the hood shocks/struts/ lift support which should address most of the problems mentioned above.

If the gas struts do not keep your hood up that is because the gas struts can no longer provide the required force to lift the hood due to the fact that they leak. This can be very dangerous and the hood supports need to be replaced.

Replacing the hood lift supports is very easy and in this guide, we provide step-by-step instructions on how to do just that. The great news is that the gas struts can be purchased online for a great price. For your convenience, we have provided links to online sites where you can find affordable gas struts that fit different Mercedes-Benz models. See the complete list below.

Parts Required

Check your car to see if you need one or two hood struts/ lift support. Some Mercedes-Benz models have one and some have two. Below you will find a list of hood struts for different Mercedes-Benz models. You can click on any of the following links to check the current price on Amazon.

DIY Instructions on how to change hood lift support (gas struts) on a Mercedes-Benz car.

If the hood does not stay open it can be a safety concern if you need to do any maintenance on your engine such as check fluid levels or do an oil change. The hood can fall on your head and cause serious head injuries. If the engine is running or is hot and your hood falls on your head, it can be even more dangerous. You certainly don’t want to use an old broom to keep it up. To replace the lift support on a hood that will not stay open the only tool that you will need is a flat-head screwdriver. Here are the steps on how to do this repair yourself. 

Step 1. 

Open the hood. Have a friend help you while you replace the hood struts/lifts or use that old broom that you have laying around to secure the hood in the open position. Be careful because serious injuries can be caused by the hood if it falls on you while you are working. Locate the hood gas struts/shocks / lift support.

Step 2. 

Use a flathead screwdriver to remove the retaining / locking C-clamps. These clamps keep the hood strut / lift support in place and ensure that they don’t come off. Use a screwdriver, you can push the c-clamp away. Do the same on both sides.

Step 3. 

Install the new hood strut. Have the c-clamps away from their normal slot, once you pop the hood strut into the support ball, move the c-clamp into its location. Do the same for the same side. If the other side looks different, then you

Note. If the other side looks different, then you may have unscrewed the other half from the old hood strut so that you can reuse it.

Mercedes Benz Hood Gas Lift Support by Model

You can save on replacement hood struts/lift support by purchasing them online. Amazon is one place where you will find these struts on sale. We have provided the list for most Mercedes-Benz models. Select any of the items below to check the current price.

	2 Front Hood Gas Lift Supports Struts Shocks Springs for 1998-2011 Mercedes Benz ML320 350 430 450 500 GL450 ML55 AMG
	2x (C-Class) C200/ C230/ C240/ C280/ C32 AMG / C320/ C350 / C55 AMG / CLK320 / CLK350 / CLK500 / CLK55 AMG
	R170 Front Hood Gas Spring Lift Support Shock Strut Slk230 Slk320 Slk32 Amg
	W220 2pcs Front Hood Gas Charged Lift Supports For Mercedes-Benz S CLASS 2001-2007 S430 S500 S600 4MATIC S55 & S65 AMG 2208800329
	2006-2012 Mercedes-Benz E350/2003-2012 Mercedes-Benz E500/2003-2005 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG/2007-2009 Mercedes-Benz E550/2007-2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Gas Charged hood Lift Support

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it help if I grease the rods?

• Greasing the hood gas strut rods does not help or make the hood lift supports last longer.

Why is there no spring on my hood support?

• The older cars had a spring that allowed the hood to stay up. Newer cars no longer utilize the spring, the gas strut serves the function on lifting the hood and also keeping it in the open / up position.

Should I force the hood to open up more quicker?

• Once you start to open the hood, the gas struts should lift the hood on their own. Do not force the hood up but slowly guide it.

How can I fix or repair a hood that won’t stay up anymore?

• The only way to repair a hood that won’t stay up anymore is to replace the hood shocks which are gas-filled shocks. They are inexpensive and easy to replace.

How much does it cost to replace/repair a hood that will not stay up in an open position?

• Prices can vary by location but if you have an auto repair shop or the dealer perform this work for you, you will be spending between $150-$300 USD.

For more help, see this article and video.