I am sure I am not the only person who has experienced this problem.
Most YouTube videos show the gas struts being disconnected at the wing (lower) ball joint to allow the bonnet to be raised to the service mode.
The problem comes if you are working solo is when you come to lower it the struts hang vertically and hit the wing top on the opposite side to the one you are standing and prevent the bonnet being lowered to allow engagement of the first strut.
To overcome this I have made a small device which clips in to the punched holes in the inner face of the bonnet to retain the struts but which allows for easy connection and disconnection. No vehicle modification is required.
I have attached pictures which will no doubt make more sense than the words.

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Good idea, and yes it’s a faff to single-handedly refit and lower the bonnet down.

I use a couple of small metal ‘S’ shaped hooks to effectively do the same thing. Hand/rest each gas strut in the hook and it stops the struts tricking the wings when lowering the bonnet. 2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster - Baltic Blue, Jet interior
1997 P38 2.5 DSE auto & 1998 P38 2.5 DT Manual
1988 Vogue 3.5 EFI - Manual, gone.
2004 Volvo C70 2.0T convertible, had since new.
2007 Mazda MX-5 2.0 Sport Roadster/Coupé, had since new.
2024 Mini Cooper S cabrio, JCW kit, 2.0, DCT auto

Another Baltic blue one, but my solution is a bit more Heath Robinson

excellent idea..

heres mine,

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I know which one of you is winning the prize for beautiful engineering

my R&D dept worked for at least 10 seconds on my solution...  ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
.

I concede defeat to our friend from Wiltshire
Please can I be your first customer if you make some more .
Cheers
Mike. G reg 2.5VM Vogue Portofino red 1991- 1999
V reg 2.5td P38 Rioja red 1999- 2006
53 reg td6 Vogue Oslo blue 2006- 2015
11 reg 4.4 TdV8 Vogue SE. Baltic blue 2015- date.
https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic56162...tty+affair

i 'wooden' know where to start Mike... ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
.

We should send him a copy of the W.M. as a winner’s prize
Mike. G reg 2.5VM Vogue Portofino red 1991- 1999
V reg 2.5td P38 Rioja red 1999- 2006
53 reg td6 Vogue Oslo blue 2006- 2015
11 reg 4.4 TdV8 Vogue SE. Baltic blue 2015- date.
https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic56162...tty+affair

I always used to lift the strut up on the first side and tuck it under the corner of the bonnet insulation which holds it in place really well, then do the other side etc etc...

Easy, quick and nothing else needed...  Pete
I now have permission from the boss to use Y.O.L.O. Enjoy life
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2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-