Hood Stay Replacement
 

On a 1999 ML320 with the prop rod to keep the hood open, has anyone replaced this successfully with a pneumatic hood strut? If so, do you have part numbers for the conversion?

My 98 ML has the hood prop rod and my 05 ML has the strut. I very much prefer the 98's prop rod because I can prop the hood in the vertical position which cannot be done with the strut unless you change the strut attachment position which is hard to do. Also too much opportunity for damage to the hood if the position is changed and someone tries to close the hood. I want to change my 05 hood to the prop rod but I keep forgetting to find used rod from a salvage yard. Thanks for reminding me.
Mike

you're welcome, Mike. If you want we can swap. I'm looking to replace the hood prop in my ML to a gas strut. Let me know.

I would want to keep the original setup for resale value. I want to add the hood prop and just remove the two struts but make no major changes. I'm not sure but you may need new hood hinges along with the struts and attachment points. I do not want to remove my hood hinges. That's just asking for trouble.
Sorry.
Mike

Thanks for you reply, Mike.

Anyone have a part number for the pneumatic props and hinge brackets?

Here are the part numbers for the hood strut assembly.
As best that I can tell the "Up to ident no." for the hinges (#20) are for the hood support #31, 35 & 38 and the "As of ident no." for the hinges (#20) are for the strut (spring) #32.
Mike

Thanks, Mike.

I did the swap on my 99 ML430 from pop rod to strut. I don't have the part numbers but I will tell you the process was very straight forward. Bought the brackets from the dealer (they ran a 2000 ML55 VIN) and got all the part numbers from there. I did this back in 2000 and cost about $200 in parts and installed myself. Good luck! It's so convenient to have the struts hold it open rather than the old school pop rod.

Great. I'll have the parts sorted out in the MB parts department. Thank you.

Just to add a comment to this old thread - the gas struts on my 2000 ML320 hood are on the way out (hard on the back of your head when the hood falls down!), so I just stick a bit of wood in as an extra precaution until I get them fixed (not a priority yet!).