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Kia Soul Hood Lift Support Struts Replacement Guide
How to change weak hood lift support struts on a 2nd generation 2014 to 2019 Kia Soul with the part numbers.

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2019 Soul Hood Struts
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Box - Temporary Support
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Bottom Strut Mount
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the 2nd generation (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019 model years) Kia Soul in changing weak, failing or faulty hood lift support struts (also known as dampers, springs, gas charged shocks or prop rods).

Owners of other Kia, Hyundai or Genesis vehicles such as the Niro, Sportage, Sedona, Telluride, Sorento, Rio, Forte, Optima, K900, Cadenza, Stinger, Tucson, Santa Fe, Kona, Palisade, Elantra, Sonata, Accent, Veloster, Ioniq, Nexo, Venue, G70, G80 and G90 may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The OEM (original equipment manufacturer) part numbers for the Kia / Hyundai hood lift support struts are as follows: Driver Side # 81161-B2000 and Passenger Side # 81171-B2000.

Two compatible replacement sets of aftermarket struts with their part numbers include the following: Lift Supports Depot # PM3327 and Tuff Support # 610260,

The only tool needed to complete this procedure is either a flat head screwdriver or a plastic pry bar tool.

The first two steps are to open the hood and then use a soft object to temporarily prop open the hood while you replace the struts.

I chose to use a few folded up boxes wedged in between the bottom of the hood and the cowl near the windshield to keep the hood from falling down. You could also use an assistant to hold up the hood for you.



 

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Pry Out Retaining Clip
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Retaining Clip Removed
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OEM Strut Removed
There are "C" shaped metal retaining clips situated at the top and bottom of the OEM support struts.

Begin with the retaining clip at the bottom of the strut.

If you remove the top clip first, the top of the strut might pop off the ball mount and hit you.

Insert the blade of the screwdriver or the plastic pry bar tool in between the bottom retaining clip and the outside of the ball socket.

There are small notches at both the top and bottom of the ball socket mount to make it easy for you to pry out the retaining clip.

Set the "C" shaped retaining clip aside in a safe place.

Repeat the process to remove the "C" clip at the top of the strut.

Set the second "C" clip aside in a safe place.

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Kia Part Number
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Pop Socket On Ball Mount
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Attach Top Mount
If the OEM hood struts were making squeaking or groaning sounds when you opened or closed the hood, apply a small amount of grease to the ball mounts to help the new struts operate quietly.

Make sure that the "C" clips on the new struts are in the out and "released" position slightly away from the ball socket.

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Push In Retaining Clip
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Left Strut Part Number
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New Struts Installed
Orientate the new struts with the thinner metal bar situated by the hood and the gas charged shock body closer to the engine bay.

Pop the sockets over the mounts at the top and bottom of the strut. Make sure that the ball joints are fully seated.

Firmly push in the "C" shaped retaining clips to secure the sockets to the ball mounts.

Double check that the strut is securely attached to the hood and the top of the engine bay.

To test the new struts, carefully open and close the hood a few times.

If the new struts are working properly, the hood should rise up in a slow controlled manner and remain in the raised position by itself.

Be sure to record the strut change in your vehicle's service records.

For more, please check out all of my 2014-2019 Kia Soul DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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