Hood Strut Installation Instructions

Thank You for Your Purchase!

We’re thrilled you’ve chosen our custom-designed Hood Strut Kit for your Fisker Ocean. Installation can be completed in ~ 20 minutes with basic tools. Rather than a cringy video on your vehicle's center screen, we opted for this installation sheet to guide you through the process step-by-step. Get your hood ready for the lift of its life!

 

 

Kit Contents:

  1. Gas Struts (2)

  2. Gas Strut End Fittings w/ Ball Stud Screws (4)

  3. Upper Strut Mount Brackets (1 Right passenger side, 1 Left Drivers Side)

  4. Lower Strut Mount Brackets (2)

  5. Hood Catch Defeat Plate (1)

  6. Flathead Countersunk Socket Cap Bolts (4) 

  7. Button Head Bolts (2) Upper Mount

  8. 13mm M8x1.25 Nuts (4) 

  9. 10mm M6x1.0 Nyloc Nuts (2)

  10. M6 Washers (2)

  11. 4mm Hex Key (1)

  12. FSR Finger Tool (1)



Tools Required:

  • Trim Removal tool (to access hood bolts)

  • 13mm socket with extension (for removing hood bolts)

  • 10mm wrench

  • 12mm wrench

  • 13mm wrench

  • 4mm hex key (included)

  • FSR Finger Tool (included)

 

 

Safety/Precautions First:

  1. Warning: Working under the hood of an electric vehicle poses serious risks, including high voltage hazards—improper handling could result in severe injury or death.

  2. Do not attempt to install the struts without first reading through all instructions.

  3. The pressure of the gas struts included with this kit were selected to support the hood once opened. These are not intended to “push” the hood up/open on its own as soon as the hood bolts are removed due to the vulnerable design of the original hood hinges. 

  4. Ensure the vehicle is parked on a flat surface and the parking brake is engaged, wear appropriate safety gear (safety goggles and gloves). 

  5. Verify the hood is locked into place before starting installation of hood struts (do not apply force to the hood while it is locked in place). 

  6. Be mindful of the hood bolt brackets protruding from the underside of the hood while working under the hood.

  7. To avoid over-torquing do not use impact drivers or a socket wrench on any hardware included with this kit. Use only the included 4mm hex key for all bolts whenever possible. 

  8. After Installation is complete and the Hood Catch Defeat Plate is installed and secured into place slowly and carefully lower and raise the hood checking for adequate clearance around all parts of the kit. Ensure no binding of the gas struts occurs and the hood opens and closes smoothly without excessive force. 

  9. Do not operate the vehicle until the 13mm hood bolts are reinstalled with the hood securely bolted shut and the trim panel replaced.

 

 

Step 1: Prepare the Hood

  1. Using your trim removal tool and a 13mm (preferably magnetic) socket, open the hood fully and make sure it latches into place on the vehicle's original hood catch. Reference this great video from Ocean Views for detailed instructions on opening the hood - https://youtu.be/3HXVLZUXgdA He also has a fantastic installation video of this kit - Ocean Views by MTN Ranger - Hood Strut Install Video

Step 2: Pre-assemble the Parts for Installation

  1. Thread the gas strut end fittings (w/ ball studs) onto both gas struts at each end until secure. Once tight, further twist both end fittings clockwise (rotating the piston within the cylinder) until the threaded portion of the ball studs are oriented in opposite directions

  2. Pre-attach the piston side (thinner side) of each gas strut to the lower gas strut mount brackets.

    • Insert a 13mm nut into the recessed side of each lower mount bracket, make sure it is fully seated in the mount
    • Push the threaded portion of the ball stud through the opposite side (inserted in the same direction as the printed arrow) of the bracket and thread the ball stud threads into the nut. Tighten the ball stud only finger tight (this will be tightened more in step 3)

Step 3: Install the Lower Mounting Brackets

  1. Using a 10mm wrench remove the original 10mm bolts (pic a) from the indicated black bracket (2x bolts on each side for 4 bolts total, there are 2 sets of these on each side, only remove the bolts from the set closer to the front of the vehicle)

2. Take the pre-assembled lower mounting bracket (with the gas strut attached from step 2 and position the flat side of the lower mounting bracket so the holes are aligned with where you just removed the bolts in the previous step. The arrows on the top of the bracket should be pointing out (away from the center of the vehicle) with the gas strut mounted from the inside of the brackets. Flip the gas strut so they’re pointing forward and resting freely on the front of the vehicle out of the way

3. Insert the Flat Head Countersunk Socket Cap Bolts into the holes through the top of the Lower Mounting Brackets (2 on each bracket) and hand tighten the threads to get them started (be careful not to cross thread)

4. Tighten the Socket Cap Bolts using the included 4mm hex key until the lower mounting bracket is secure (Pic shows strut not pre-attached to more clearly show lower bracket and bolts) Do not overtighten the socket cap bolts

5. Using a 12mm wrench, tighten the ball stud firmly securing the piston side of the Gas Strut to the Lower Mounting Bracket Do not overtighten the ball stud to the mounting bracket

6. Repeat for the opposite side 

Step 4: Install the Upper Mounting Brackets  

  1. The upper brackets are unique for the left (drivers side) and right (passenger side) of the vehicle. The flat side of each bracket should face inwards with the arrows pointing out (newer brackets labeled L and R). The recessed hex portion of the bracket (where the gas strut is inserted) when oriented correctly will be closer to the rear of the vehicle / hood hinges. 

  2. Firmly press each Upper Mounting Bracket into the indicated oval shaped holes on the corresponding side of the vehicle as shown. These are designed with very tight tolerances and require significant pressure to seat into place

  3. Insert the Button Head Bolt through the vertical hole of the Upper Mounting Bracket and the metal bracket hole inside the hood cavity until the head of the bolt is fully seated in the countersunk portion of the bracket 

  4. Prepare the FSR Finger Tool by sliding the M6 Washer into the end slot and then sliding the 10mm Nyloc Nut on top of it so they are held in place by the tool with the holes aligned vertically. (Use caution on this step as to not drop hardware into hood cavity)

  5. Holding the tail end of the FSR Finger Tool, insert it into the hood cavity hole above the upper strut mount and align the washer and Nyloc nut over the threaded portion of the Button Head Bolt. Using the 4mm Hex Key, twist the Button Head Bolt until the threads engage with the 10mm Nyloc nut holding it in place. The Finger Tool is only there to get the threads started, once the nut is held in place by the threads move on to step 6.

  6. Once you feel the bolt holding the washer/nut in place, remove the FSR Finger Tool by pulling it straight out. Place a 10 mm wrench over the Nyloc nut to keep it from spinning and tighten the Button Head Bolt the rest of the way only using the included 4mm Hex Key (do not over torque). Once tightened there should be space between the Upper Mounting Bracket and hood so the bracket sits nearly flush against the underside of the hood.

  7. Repeat steps for the opposite side 

Step 5: Attach the Gas Strut to the Upper Mounting Bracket (only after both lower mounts are installed)

  1. Rotate the right (passenger) side gas strut until it’s angled towards the corresponding Upper Mounting Bracket (upper mounts have printed arrows, these arrows should point away (out) from the vehicle, Passenger side (R) mount images below. Updated brackets are labeled R and L)

  2. Ensure the 12mm hex base of the ball stud is oriented correctly so it can slide easily into the recessed hex cavity of the upper bracket. (If the 12mm ball stud base is not clocked properly you can damage the recessed portion of the bracket) Once properly aligned, slide the threaded portion of the ball stud through the hole in the Upper Mounting Bracket. This should be inserted from the outside of the bracket so the threaded stud is pointing inwards towards the center of the vehicle (you may have to slightly compress the gas strut or temporarily unlock the hood catch to more easily align the threaded ball stud with the mounting bracket hole. Use caution to not stress the hood during this step)

  3. Thread the 13mm nut onto the end of the ball stud threads and tighten the nut  with a 13mm wrench. Do not overtighten 

  4. Repeat steps for the opposite side, you’re almost there!

Step 6: Install the Hood Catch Defeat Plate

  1. Check that the factory hood catch lever can be easily disengaged without catching on the hood hinge hole, you may have to gently push or pull the hood to unlatch the hood catch

  2. Align the Hood Catch Defeat Plate above the factory hood catch

  3. While firmly squeezing the hood catch lever open from the bottom, simultaneously slide the Hood Catch Defeat Plate down and behind the hood catch from the top

  4. Slide the defeat plate all the way down until the hood catch lever locks into place within the top recess of the defeat plate 

Step 7: Inspection and Hood Operation Test

  1. Verify that all bolts and connections are secure

  2. Check for any obstructions or misalignment

  3. Ensure the hood remains stable in the fully open position

  4. Lower the hood carefully, checking for smooth operation and proper alignment with no binding. Inspect around all kit components while closing to ensure adequate clearance from anything else within the engine bay

  5. Slowly open and close the hood several times to ensure the struts function correctly

  6. Double check and re-torque each upper and lower mounting bracket using the 4mm hex key as the initial movement of the hood may further seat the brackets with their corresponding mounting points

Step 8: Close and Secure the Hood

  1. Confirm there are no tools left behind under the hood

  2. Gently close the hood and reinstall the original 13mm hood bolts to factory torque specs (19 nm or 14 ft-lb)

  3. Reinstall the front center trim piece by firmly pressing until clips audibly lock into place

  4. Celebrate having a hood that isn’t prone to damage with a cold beverage. Maybe send Henrik a nasty message or two. 

 

 

Maintenance Tips:

  • Periodically inspect the mounting brackets and bolts for tightness.

  • Clean the gas struts with a soft, damp cloth to remove dirt or debris.

  • Avoid applying lubricants to the gas struts as they are pre-lubricated.

 

 

Warranty Information:

The AMPBILITY Hood Strut Kit comes with a 1-year warranty on the gas hood struts and lifetime replacement for any bracket piece. If you encounter any issues, please contact our support team at info@Ampbility.com

Installed Images