GM Hood Strut Part Numbers
GM does list all the parts needed for the SSR Hood Struts so you add them to an 03 or 04 SSR, except for the hood brackets. GM doesn't sell the hood brackets alone. They only come as part of the complete 05 or 06 hood, so the only way to get the hood brackets from GM is to buy a complete hood either new or from a wreck. Your only other option is make them yourself, if you're handy, or buy the hood brackets come from MPD (
www.mpd-inc.net) and maybe LST. Contact them on availability. (MPD was selling them for $35 at the 2006 WDC)
The Chevy parts needed to make you own kit (minus the hood brackets) are:
15212390 for the 05-06 Chevy SSR strut - cost about $60.39 each or get -
From gmpartsdirect:
GM PART # 15212390
CATEGORY: Hood Panel Hardware
PACK QTY: 1 CORE CHARGE: $0.00
GM LIST: $60.37
OUR PRICE: $35.79
DESCRIPTION: STRUT
15236884 for the 05-06 Chevy SSR fender bracket - cost about $21.00 each or get -
From gmpartsdirect:
GM PART # 15236884
CATEGORY: Hood Panel Hardware
PACK QTY: 1 CORE CHARGE: $0.00
GM LIST: $21.00
OUR PRICE: $12.89
DESCRIPTION: BRACKET
Note: I have heard that these are getting hard to come by. However, that can't last forever, as GM is supposed to stock parts for 10 years after they pull a car from production. They should become available again.
Now the Chevy parts computer also shows a spacer at the fender bracket. I believe this may not be necessary because I can't see any spacer on 05 & 06 SSRs that I have viewed. Plus it costs twice as much as the fender bracket. I have installed the Chevy fender brackets on an 04 and I didn't use any spacer and it works just fine like the 05 and 06's do. You do see that the M8 bolt has a very large washer which covers the fender's sheet metal. I think that washer replaced the spacer.
This spacer is shown has part number:
15236882 for the 05-06 Chevy SSR and at a cost of $47.90 each or get -
From gmpartsdirect:
GM PART # 15236882
CATEGORY: Hood Panel Hardware
PACK QTY: 1 CORE CHARGE: $0.00
GM LIST: $47.90
OUR PRICE: $28.40
DESCRIPTION: SPACER
Chevy also shows a black plastic "retainer" type button going through each fender bracket (the hole in the bracket is slightly larger than 1/2 inch) into a 1/2 inch hole underneath at the fender. I installed my bracket on my fender and the holes just about line up exactly. I have looked at 05s and there is a round "black plastic retainer" plug that attaches the fender bracket to the fender. Chevy doesn't list a part number for this and it says "not separately" (NS) priced under the parts listing. I have tried black plastic "retainers" from Pep Boys and they don't fit, too small a diameter. You need a diameter larger than 1/2 inch and I couldn't find one commerically. I don't think this is needed but would be a nice to have if available. The bolt at the top really does the securing on the fender bracket.
The bolt's part number is 11519093. However, the parts guy said that they have to order them in quantity of ten so he suggested just go to the auto parts or hardware store and buy what you need. The size is M8x1.25x25. I have seen them at Pep Boys with a washer, so they are available elsewhere. However, you can get it -
From gmpartsdirect:
GM PART # 11519093
CATEGORY: All
PACK QTY: 1 CORE CHARGE: $0.00
GM LIST: $4.04
OUR PRICE: $2.39
DESCRIPTION: BOLT
In summary using GM parts from a dealer it will cost about $120 (2-struts) plus $42 (2- fender brackets) for a total of $162, plus get your own bolts, plus any tax. (I don't think you need a spacer)
Or from gmpartsdirect: about $103, with bolts, plus shipping costs (I don't think you need a spacer) Their website is
www.gmpartsdirect.com.
All that would be needed is the hood brackets and you should be able to get those from MPD for $35 and maybe LST or get your own from either a wreck or make them yourself if you're handy. For the positioning of the hood brackets, all you have to do is look at an 05 or 06 hood and you'll be able to fiqure it out close enough. Check other threads which have more information and photo's.
The only extra guidance I can give is you need to use steel rivets, 3/16 in, to mount the hood brackets, which means use a air or pneumatic rivet gun when securing the hood brackets as a hand rivet gun won't be able to get them tight enough.
You can also try
www.alldiscountparts.com instead of
www.gmpartsdirect.com, although their prices are a little more than gmpartsdirect.
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