ULTIMATE MK3 FOCUS HYDRAULIC BONNET STRUTS INSTALL! | SD PERFORMANCE| FOCUS RS
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2025
- I install the SiCo Developments bonnet struts on my Ford Focus RS!
Made from quality materials, coated and painted black, they are very light weight, really look cool, and look very OEM plus plus!
This mod from SiCo Developments, looks OEM because it looks at the genuine Ford Parts version that was released previously for the MK3 Focus, takes the design cues that work for them and then improves upon the design, removing the weak points and making them super strong and sturdy whilst also fitting into the engine bay in the same OEM fashion!
Some say bonnet / hood struts were meant to or at least should have came from factory, and that may be the case but still - a relatively inexpensive and very cool mod to do that really spruces up the engine bay on the RS (or ST)!
You may well have watched my previous bonnet strut video where I installed the genuine Ford parts struts and so you may ask - why change Ford version for the SiCo Developments version?
The answer is very simple - my Ford version failed after a very short amount of time!
I was starting to do a different install video (the recent install of the Radium PCV catch can) and when I opened the bonnet, I immediately noticed that one of the Ford struts was about to fully fall off. On closer inspection I found that the bracket had failed in that the ball end that the strut clicks into had rusted and fallen out from the rest of the bracket!
I immediately got the stock hood prop back in place to support the weight of the bonnet and removed the strut on that side. I then contacted SiCo Developments as I knew they had a new and improved version in the works and Si was kind enough to send me out a set!
here are other versions of this mod available for the Ford Focus RS MK3 (and other Ford models) from other manufacturers that would do the same job of course, but none others look so OEM so in my book and I know how good the SiCo Developments parts are designed and made from previous experience!
The stock setup uses a simple post to prop up the bonnet which works of course but doesn't look so good if you want to show off your sweet engine bay at a meet or at a car show which these SiCo Developments bonnet struts do as they are completely unobtrusive being located at the rear sides of the bonnet. Also the bonnet struts make the stock setup obsolete so it can be removed (weight reduction bro!) and also you make other gains in the form of easier / quicker opening of the bonnet and you may have noticed that the stock prop tends to rub off the paint where it hooks into the bonnet so now you can do what I did (off camera) and paint in the area where it had flaked off and make my bonnet look nice and fresh again!
The installation is fairly easy and fast to get done with minimal tools and some thread locker blue for the bolt threads (Loctite is an obvious good option). Indeed because the ball ends are now bolted in with a nyloc nut, the installation is actually a bit easier than the Ford version! One thing that is recommended (that I did the last time) is to protect the now exposed cavities. I used some of my Hammerite Under Body Seal with added Waxoyl which will do the perfect job!
Check out how to install the part, whether you are replacing the Ford Parts version or indeed installing from stock, see why you should not make the mistake I did with the Ford Parts version and see what you think of the overall improvement / results!
Link to the SiCo Developments bonnet struts:
www.sico-devel...
SiCo Developments say:
Gas strut bonnet lifter kit for the Mk3/3.5 Focus. OE style fitment but with reinforced top fixings to ensure longevity.
The brackets are finished in black for a factory look.
Link to the Genuine Ford Parts bonnet struts:
www.sico-devel...
Genuine Ford OE struts - Ford have acknowledged that the cars should have come with them from the factory and produced their own upgrade for all MK3's including the ST and RS - too bad they made the brackets so poorly!
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fitted mine last week ,you need to watch the video on fitting them They seem to be working well so far
These are at the top of the pile IMO
So clean
Yep, really good kit!
Just tried to fit mine but sadly failed at the end as only one of the strut sockets would clip on the respective ball joints. As you showed I removed the locking wires on each and even tried lubricating each socket but sadly three of them would simply not clip on as shown in your video. Any ideas what I can do or should I simply contact SiCo Developments for a replacement set of struts and ball joints? Other than this I am loving the channel and enjoy seeing all the modifications you are fitting to your RS.
have the Redline ones on my ST. These appear to be shorter in length. Not sure if that is a plus or not.
Nicely made pieces, although replacing the rod with hydraulic struts is one of those mods where I ask myself "Am I really this lazy?" lol
It isn't really about laziness, it is more about aesthetics and convenience. Aesthetics for car meets/shows so that there is no rod blocking the view of your nice engine bay and then convenience if work is being done in the engine bay there is no rod potentially getting in the way
Must admit Adam they look more robust than Ford OEM ones. Must check my Ford ones now 😳👍
Yea man it is unfortunate but I'm told a good % of the Ford brackets are failing. You may have got lucky though
@@AdamRainey As expected my Ford ones failed!! I've now replaced them with these much more rebust Steeda versions!!!
Can these be used on aftermarket c.f. hoods or strictly for OEM hoods?
Love the update and install. Thanks mate.
Cheers Scott, I don't think there is any reason why they wouldn't be ok on a carbon hood
@@AdamRainey OK awesome good to know. Been busy but finally got around to checking out your video.
Hi Adam,
Can you leave an order code for this kit, and where did you order if from, I apreciate.
They look good and more robust, what will you be doing with the oem struts? Is there warranty on them?
I assume they have warranty but I won't be pursuing it as I got the SiCo version so I'm happy with that as a resolution. I have already started playing with refurbishing the Ford bracket for fun so if anyone wants the kit then they can have it dirt cheap
Yes yes 👍👍👍👌👌👌👌
Cheers mate :)
Adam It looks like the gas strut has bottomed out, and with nowhere for it to go, its bent the ford bracket, are the bodies the same length on the SiCo ones as the ford ones? Are you going to take them back to Ford for a refund?
They are the same length yea. Im not going to bother pursuing a refund since I got the SiCo ones. I have started refurbing the Ford bracket for fun so if anyone wants to buy the kit for very little money then I'll be happy to sell it on
hi, how are these struts going, any problems with them so far ? it is a bit of a poor show with the ford ones only lasting a few weeks
Hi Neil, the SD struts are still working 100% perfect after several months and continual opening and closing of the bonnet so I highly reccomend!
Hope mine from Ford are ok.
I may have been unlucky