A hood that slowly sinks is more than an inconvenience when checking fluids. On a 2016 Nissan Murano with the 3.5L gasoline engine, the two front hood lift supports carry the raised hood. Weak supports can make it unexpectedly heavy or unable to stay open. This guide covers exchanging the original-style clip-retained support assemblies while keeping the existing ball studs and hinges in place.
These mechanical gas springs have no dedicated OBD-II diagnostic code. A scan tool cannot measure their ability to hold the hood. Diagnose a sagging hood physically and safely; an engine warning light, hood-latch warning or remote-start problem requires separate investigation. Do not buy supports solely because another system reports a fault.
Basic mechanical work; secure hood support and a capable helper are essential.
30–45 minutes for inspection, both supports and final checks.
$30–$70 for an aftermarket pair. Planning allowance, not a current listing price.
Safety comes before either retaining clip
A falling hood can seriously injure you. Establish stable, independent hood support before detaching either gas spring. Have a capable adult helper control the hood throughout the exchange. The remaining old support is not a safety stand. If the prop cannot be seated securely, or the helper cannot maintain control, stop and arrange professional service.
Park on a level surface, select Park, apply the parking brake and chock the wheels. Switch the ignition off, keep the key away and let the engine compartment cool. Wear eye protection. Keep fingers away from hinges and moving sockets, and never place your head beneath an unsupported hood.
Stay away from the cooling fan, which can start unexpectedly. Nissan requires negative-battery-cable disconnection before work near that fan; this limited hood-side procedure does not approach it or open electrical connections. If access requires entering the fan area, stop for the appropriate additional isolation procedure. Do not open the hood if smoke or steam is escaping.
This guide excludes the Murano Hybrid and all high-voltage work. No vehicle lifting, fuel-system opening, fluid draining or suspension-spring compression is involved. Gas supports themselves remain pressurized even after losing useful lifting force. Do not drill, heat, open, bend or grip their polished rods with pliers. Send intact removed supports to a repair or recycling facility that accepts them; pressure release is not a DIY finishing step here.
Featured replacement: exact pair and package
The featured product is A-Premium APGS1019, Amazon ASIN B0C6TTSFSC, in the two-piece front hood lift-support listing for Nissan Murano 2015–2022. The package quantity is two support assemblies, for the front hood’s left and right positions. It is not a liftgate-support set. APGS1019 is the manufacturer part number; 1004WS9C is the storefront item identifier, and 65470-5AA0A is a catalog interchange reference, not the A-Premium part number.
The manufacturer lists a 14.92-inch extended length, 10.31-inch compressed length and 4.61-inch stroke. Those measurements are comparison information, not permission to substitute any gas spring of the same length. Correct geometry, end fittings and application all matter. The existing vehicle ball studs stay installed; new studs, hinges, brackets, latch parts and separate spare clips are not verified package contents.
Check the APGS1019 two-support set
Before ordering, confirm the selected ASIN, quantity and vehicle application. On arrival, compare both assemblies and their retainers with the original arrangement before removing a support. Stop for a damaged socket, missing retainer or inconsistent package label. Do not adapt a wrong part by bending mounts or changing hood alignment.
Vehicle fitment and important exclusions
| Application | Coverage in this guide | Selection check |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Nissan Murano, North American Z52 SUV, 3.5L gasoline V6 | Front hood, both sides; original hood and ball-stud mounting arrangement | A-Premium’s catalog includes 2016 Murano. Verify the VIN and original configuration with the supplier; do not select solely by registration year. |
| FWD / AWD and trim | The manufacturer’s displayed model-year table does not specify a drivetrain or trim restriction | Confirm the actual vehicle; do not interpret an unlisted restriction as proof that every modified configuration fits. |
| Other model years and powertrains | Not covered by this repair guide, including 2016 Hybrid | The product catalog is broader than this article. Nissan lists a later production change in its hood-support catalog; do not extend these instructions to a later vehicle without checking. |
| Liftgate, altered hood or collision-damaged mounts | Excluded | Power-liftgate parts, aftermarket hood weight and damaged mounting points require separate part selection and repair information. |
Confirm the problem before buying parts
A hood that will not remain raised, or starts descending after appearing stable, warrants immediate caution. Keep control of it during inspection rather than repeatedly releasing it to see whether it falls. Support weakness may be gradual, so the fact that it stayed up yesterday does not establish that it is safe today.
- Sagging with intact mounts: a support problem is plausible. Inspect the pair and compare their condition without removing either prematurely.
- A detached socket: inspect the retainer and ball stud. Simply snapping a damaged connection back on is not a completed repair.
- A hood that twists, binds or sits unevenly: investigate hinges, mounting sheet metal and collision repairs. New gas springs will not straighten damaged structure.
- Failure to latch: treat the latch, release cable and alignment as a separate safety concern. Do not drive until the hood is fully secure.
Look for visibly bent rods, broken ends, damaged clips, loose studs and interference. Do not loosen a stud just to inspect it. If the hood’s previous repair history is unknown, comparing both sides can reveal mismatched assemblies, but matching appearance alone does not establish correct lifting force. A technician should inspect unexplained deformation or repeated socket detachment.
Tools and supplies
Use tools you already own when they meet these requirements. The independent prop and eye protection are required safety functions; the listed brands are purchase options, not mandatory brands. No impact tool, torque wrench, scan tool, programming device, fluid or replacement seal is needed for the intact clip-on arrangement.
| Tool or Supply | Exact Product | Product Link | Purpose and Selection Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replacement pair — required | A-Premium APGS1019, two front hood supports | View replacement pair | Confirm both assemblies, correct end fittings and intact supplied retainers; retain undamaged vehicle ball studs. |
| Independent hood prop — required | Lisle 46170 Hood Prop with Support | View hood prop | Manufacturer range: 20–48¼ inches, with a support positioned over a hood adjuster. Check actual reach, stable contact and locked adjustment. No numerical load rating is asserted. An existing suitable purpose-built hood prop is an alternative; an unsecured stick is not. |
| Small slotted screwdriver — required | STANLEY 66-344 4-in-1 pocket screwdriver | View pocket screwdriver | Includes 1/8-inch and 5/32-inch slotted tips. Use the tip that fits the retainer recess without wedging against paint. An existing small flat screwdriver is adequate. |
| Eye protection — required | DEWALT DPG82 Concealer anti-fog safety goggles, one pair | View safety goggles | Wear properly fitting protective eyewear while releasing clips; inspect the lens and strap. Existing serviceable safety eyewear is an alternative. |
| Wheel chocks — required | Fasmov solid-rubber wheel chocks with handles, two-pack | View rubber chocks | Listing dimensions approximately 7.8 × 4 × 6 inches. Seat securely against the tires on a clean, level surface; use suitable existing chocks if available. No jack or ramps are needed. |
| Helper — required | A capable adult who can control the hood | Not a product | Agree on each movement before releasing a clip or moving the prop. The helper supplements the independent support rather than replacing it. |
Estimated DIY versus shop cost
| Cost item | DIY planning allowance | Professional-shop allowance |
|---|---|---|
| Replacement supports | $30–$70 aftermarket pair | $50–$140 for a supplied pair; brand and markup vary |
| Small consumables | $0–$5 | $0–$15 shop supplies |
| Tools and safety equipment | $0 if suitable equipment is owned; allow $80–$150 if buying everything listed | Normally included in the labor charge |
| Labor | Your time, approximately 30–45 minutes | $50–$120 allowance, including a possible minimum charge |
| Estimated total before tax / shipping | $30–$75 with equipment owned; $110–$225 if buying equipment | Approximately $100–$275 |
These are budgeting estimates, not current Amazon prices or a local repair quote. They assume accessible, undamaged mounts and no latch or alignment repairs. A shop may use OEM parts and quote a different amount. For a one-time job, borrowing suitable equipment or paying a shop can be more economical than buying a prop and safety gear. Do not reduce the budget by omitting safe hood support.
Numbered replacement steps
- Prepare the work area. Complete the safety checks above. Open the hood using the interior release and secondary latch. Have the helper control its weight while you position and secure the independent prop. Check stability before touching a clip.
- Compare and document. Photograph the original orientation and end fittings. Read the supplied replacement instructions. Work on one side at a time; leave the other support attached. Do not assume a different-looking retainer operates the same way.
- Release the hood-side connection. With the hood supported, use the small screwdriver to move the original metal retainer sideways and forward, as shown in Nissan’s hood-stay procedure. Separate the socket from the hood ball stud without levering against sheet metal.
- Remove the lower connection. Release the body-side socket and remove that support. Keep control of the loose assembly. Inspect the exposed studs for damage or looseness; those conditions require a separate repair.
- Install the matching assembly. Reverse the removal sequence: connect the body side, then the hood side, preserving the original orientation. Seat the end fittings and secure their retainers according to the supplied design. Do not force an unmatched socket or omit a clip.
- Check, then repeat. Confirm both connections are fully retained before moving to the other side. Keep the prop and helper in place. Exchange the second assembly using the same sequence, then inspect all four connections.
No tightening torque applies to this exchange: no threaded fastener is disturbed. Do not remove a ball stud, hinge bolt or latch fastener to make the replacement fit. If damaged mounting hardware must be replaced, obtain the exact additional procedure and specifications before continuing. There is no electronic relearn for the mechanical supports.
Final inspection and functional checks
Account for both removed supports and every tool. Check that the new sockets cannot simply pull off with a gentle retention check, without operating their release clips. Ask the helper to take control before removing the prop. Assess the hood’s support from a position clear of its travel; if it sinks, restore independent support immediately.
Move the hood through a slow, controlled closing and reopening cycle. Stop for binding, unexpected resistance, interference or a connection moving off its stud. Do not slam the hood to overcome a fit problem. Reinspect the end fittings after cycling. Lower the hood carefully and confirm it is completely latched before driving. A successful support replacement does not excuse a separate latch defect.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Trusting a weak remaining support while disconnecting the first one.
- Placing the prop on slippery trim or a surface that cannot keep it stable.
- Buying a single support or liftgate part when this procedure uses a hood-support pair.
- Mixing up the manufacturer part number, storefront item number and OEM interchange.
- Damaging a retainer, accepting a partially seated socket or forcing the hood against resistance.
- Changing hinge alignment to compensate for the wrong replacement assembly.
- Leaving tools or the prop in place when closing the hood.
Frequently asked questions
Why replace a pair but work on one side at a time?
The selected package supplies two replacements. One-at-a-time removal keeps the job organized; it does not make the remaining old support a reliable safety device. Independent support remains necessary throughout.
Can I lubricate a weak support instead?
Lubrication does not restore lost gas pressure. Keep polished rods free of damage and contamination. Do not treat oil on the rod as a repair or attempt to refill the cylinder.
What if the new part is difficult to compress by hand?
Do not use that as a reason to clamp, strike or modify it. Recheck the application and installation instructions. A gas spring’s apparent stiffness off the vehicle is not a complete fitment or performance test.
Does the broader product listing cover this entire procedure?
No. This article is deliberately limited to the 2016 3.5L gasoline Murano. The manufacturer’s wider year range is product-catalog information, not independent confirmation of every later vehicle’s procedure or production-date variation.
When should I hand the job to a professional?
Choose professional service if the hood cannot be secured, mounting points are loose or damaged, replacement retainers differ from the verified arrangement, or the hood does not latch normally. Stop before disassembly when your equipment or helper cannot provide safe control.
Sources and related guides
- A-Premium APGS1019 catalog — product identity, quantity, dimensions and listed model years.
- 2016 Nissan Murano factory service manual, Door & Lock chapter — archived OEM document, revision December 2015, printed page DLK-297: hood-stay removal and installation.
- 2016 Nissan Murano owner’s manual — printed pages 3-21, 8-2 and 8-5–8-6: hood operation and maintenance precautions.
- Nissan hood-parts catalog — ball-stud arrangement and early support listings; not an expansion of this article’s model-year scope.
- Stabilus gas-spring handling guidance — general pressurized-component and rod-protection precautions, not A-Premium fitment evidence.
- Lisle 46170 specifications — prop range and support arrangement.
- Related repair: 2012–2017 Toyota Camry hood supports and 2002–2008 Dodge Ram 1500 hood supports — separate vehicle applications; their parts are not substitutes for Murano parts.