UPDATE - Are they still working? These were installed in June 2024 and until now are working as expected. If that changes I will update this pinned comment. UPDATE 2 - Fender gap? As Beavis Motorsport and Smokeya53h13 both commented, the strut body contacts the rearward OEM fender bolt. I replaced it with a low-profile M6 button Allen head bolt, and there is still some contact and fender gap. Alternatively, removing the bolt altogether is an option but there's still a gap.
You might find the struts are hitting the fender bolts when lowered. Replacing the OEM M6 bolts with some more slim/streamlined ones may help with the hood bowing up issue.
That intro!! Hilarious man! And just wow! Really outstanding work! Loved the angles and the commentary. Funny enough, I was also reached out to by a dude named Allen for my Tsubasa hood strut review. And seeing yours, these are identical products, down to the font/color scheme of the "instructions," and the slight gaps left in the body panels. Great video man!
Hey mate, I have an Ali strut kit also, which came with the low profile screws to replace the fender bolts. These are definitely required. If you pause at 3:54 of the video, you can see the strut tube and rod becoming misaligned due to impacting the fender bolt. The best thing to do is to remove the impacting bolts until they can be replaced, otherwise the strut seals will fail.
Thanks man, I replaced the offending bolts with low-profile button Allen heads and it's reduced the contact and fender gap. But even without the bolt I notice the rod is bending slightly. Oh well, planning to run it until it fails.
@@mostlyuselessgarage the reviews were so funny. One person said they only replaced one side for their parent/grandparent because with both it almost knocked them over 🤣🤣🤣
I've bought Bride-style material for the door cards and a shift boot and some shift knobs. Happy with them all. Open to suggestions if you've found anything good.
It looks to me like you installed the struts upside down, typically with gas struts the body is supposed to sit at the highest point so the seals can be lubricated. Also no clue why youtube put this in my recommended as I do not own a Miata nor do I ever plan to buy one.
@olegbarth928 I just tried reversing them, and the strut fouls on the new lower profile bolt worse, contacting in the middle of the cartridge and bending the rod even more. TBH, putting it in this location seems less than ideal, there's little room for a straight strut to follow the curve of the hood.
UPDATE - Are they still working?
These were installed in June 2024 and until now are working as expected. If that changes I will update this pinned comment.
UPDATE 2 - Fender gap?
As Beavis Motorsport and Smokeya53h13 both commented, the strut body contacts the rearward OEM fender bolt. I replaced it with a low-profile M6 button Allen head bolt, and there is still some contact and fender gap. Alternatively, removing the bolt altogether is an option but there's still a gap.
I was waiting for this update! Thanks!
You might find the struts are hitting the fender bolts when lowered. Replacing the OEM M6 bolts with some more slim/streamlined ones may help with the hood bowing up issue.
Thanks, I will definitely investigate if they are and report back. That's a very simple explanation.
As a NA owner for over 10 years im glad i found your channel. Its informative and fun to watch. Thanks for making them.
Thx for the comment, and welcome! Plz stick around and share the Miata stoke.
Yeah! You have some of the best content on here.
I agree- very wholesome, without any of the *splash*. Just genuine talk to talk.
Thanks that's super-generous!
That intro!! Hilarious man!
And just wow! Really outstanding work! Loved the angles and the commentary.
Funny enough, I was also reached out to by a dude named Allen for my Tsubasa hood strut review. And seeing yours, these are identical products, down to the font/color scheme of the "instructions," and the slight gaps left in the body panels.
Great video man!
Your channel is awesome. Include meta tag words in the title like “Miata” and “NA” to get more of the views you deserve.
Thank you!
Hey mate, I have an Ali strut kit also, which came with the low profile screws to replace the fender bolts. These are definitely required. If you pause at 3:54 of the video, you can see the strut tube and rod becoming misaligned due to impacting the fender bolt. The best thing to do is to remove the impacting bolts until they can be replaced, otherwise the strut seals will fail.
Thanks man, I replaced the offending bolts with low-profile button Allen heads and it's reduced the contact and fender gap. But even without the bolt I notice the rod is bending slightly. Oh well, planning to run it until it fails.
It says sale starts later this month. Think I’ll get a pair then.
Thanks again.
Have you noticed that Aliexpress vendors can bump the base price during their sales? Just something I watch for.
Great review man bouta buy these right now 😎
FYI these do not work with the garage star style cowl covers. They physically touch into the cowl area.
Thanks, noted!
Looks good, may need to get some for my car. Please let us know if changing the fender bolts fixes the issue
I updated the pinned comment about the bolts. IMHO, for $25 Canadian you kinda can't go wrong.
Good videos keep it coming
That ball stud bracket actually seems better than the name-brand struts that require drilling and tapping a hole. Not bad! 👍
Do you remember what kit that is? Flyin' Miata?
@@mostlyuselessgarage it's manufactured by I.L. Motorsport originally, but FM and some other shops sell it with their logo printed on it 😅
I love the channel, man! Keep it up!
Also, I find it MostlyHelpful rather than MostlyUseless lol
It's probably too late to rename the channel 😉
Awesome video! Nothing like new hood/trunk struts. I changed the 37 year old trunks in my sedan and the trunk lid is now a catapult 🤣
Lol, catapult! Gotta watch it doesn't uppercut you 🤣
@@mostlyuselessgarage the reviews were so funny. One person said they only replaced one side for their parent/grandparent because with both it almost knocked them over 🤣🤣🤣
Bouth yellow carbon kit hopefully it will work well :D
Good luck dude!
@@mostlyuselessgarage thanks
Have you found any other good Miata stuff on AliExpress or temu?
I've bought Bride-style material for the door cards and a shift boot and some shift knobs. Happy with them all. Open to suggestions if you've found anything good.
It looks to me like you installed the struts upside down, typically with gas struts the body is supposed to sit at the highest point so the seals can be lubricated. Also no clue why youtube put this in my recommended as I do not own a Miata nor do I ever plan to buy one.
All hail the algorithm! I thought the same but the instructions were clear about the orientation due to packaging constraints. Thanks for the comment!
Maybe this could solve the gap problem too... The cylinders wouldn't hit the OEM bolt any more.
@olegbarth928 I just tried reversing them, and the strut fouls on the new lower profile bolt worse, contacting in the middle of the cartridge and bending the rod even more. TBH, putting it in this location seems less than ideal, there's little room for a straight strut to follow the curve of the hood.
@@mostlyuselessgarage I guess two of the holders, like the upper ones, could solve the problem. So the whole thing hangs inside.
@olegbarth928 ya, like the one the Alex guy installed in his video.