Nissan Qashqai J11 (2013–2021) is one of the most popular crossovers in Russia, but even it has weaknesses. One of them is the hood stops, which wear out over time, tear or lose their elasticity. If your hood suddenly falls on your hands or stops locking in the open position, the problem lies with them.

In this article we will look at everything about hood stops Qashqai J11: how they work, why they break, how to replace them yourself (with photos and videos), what spare parts to choose and how to avoid common mistakes. We will also tell you whether old stops can be repaired and when it is better to contact a service center.

Design and principle of operation of hood stops Nissan Qashqai J11

Hood stops in Qashqai J11 - These are gas-filled shock absorbers (gas springs) that hold the hood in the open position and ensure smooth closing. Unlike mechanical clamps, they operate using gas pressure (usually nitrogen) inside a cylinder. When you open the hood, the piston compresses the gas, creating resistance. When closed, the gas expands, helping the hood lower smoothly.

Structurally, the stop consists of:

  • 🔹 Cylinder - a metal tube filled with gas under pressure.
  • 🔹 Piston with rod — moves inside the cylinder, regulating the pressure.
  • 🔹 Fastenings — ball joints or rubber bushings for fixation to the body and hood.
  • 🔹 Protective cover - prevents the entry of dirt and moisture.

On Qashqai J11 two stops are installed - one on each side of the hood. Their characteristics:

Parameter Left stop Right emphasis
OEM part number 55501-4M00A 55501-4M01A
Length (compressed/stretched) 380 mm / 650 mm 380 mm / 650 mm
Force, N 500–600 N 500–600 N
Manufacturer (original) Nissan (supplier - Sachs or Stabilus)

Important: the left and right stops are NOT interchangeable! They have different mounting geometries, and installing a “mirror” stop will lead to the hood not working properly.

Reasons for failure of the hood stops: why they tear or stop holding

Average service life of stops Qashqai J11 — 5–7 years or 80–100 thousand kilometers. But they often fail earlier. Main reasons:

  • 🔧 Natural wear and tear — gas leaks through the seals over time, the pressure drops, and the stop stops holding the hood.
  • 🌡️ Extreme temperatures — in cold weather, the gas is compressed, and the hood can close spontaneously, and in hot weather, the stops lose their elasticity.
  • 💧 Rod corrosion — if the protective cover is damaged, moisture gets on the metal and the rod begins to “seize.”
  • 🚗 Careless handling — abruptly closing the hood or trying to hold it with your hand when falling leads to mechanical damage.
  • 🔧 Low-quality spare parts - cheap analogues often leak or break after 1–2 years.

How to understand that it’s time to change the stops:

  • 🚨 Hood falls with a bang when opening.
  • 🚨 To hold the hood you need make an effort hand.
  • 🚨 Stops are leaking (oil traces are visible on the rod).
  • 🚨 Hood not fixed in an intermediate position.
⚠️ Attention! If one of the stops is torn, the second one is also on the verge - its life is reduced by 2-3 times due to the increased load. Change the stops only in pairs!
📊 How often do you open the hood of your Qashqai J11?
  • Once a week
  • Once a month
  • Only for maintenance
  • I never open it

Which stops to choose for replacement: original vs analogues

There are three types of stops on the market for Qashqai J11:

  1. Original (Nissan) - articles 55501-4M00A (left) and 55501-4M01A (right). Produced Sachs or Stabilus upon request Nissan. Pros: guaranteed quality, exact geometry match. Cons: price (from 2,500 rubles per piece).
  2. Premium analogues — brands Stabilus, Sachs, Boge. Articles may differ, but the parameters are identical to the original. Price: 1,800–2,200 rub. for emphasis.
  3. Budget analogues — Febi, Topran, Monroe. Cheaper (from 1,200 rubles), but the resource is often lower. Risk of leaks after 1–2 years.

Recommendations for selection:

  • 🔹 If the car less than 5 years - take the original or Stabilus/Sachs.
  • 🔹 For budget renovation will do Febi (article 23400 for the left, 23401 for the right one).
  • 🔹 Check stop length in a compressed and stretched state - it must coincide with the original.
  • 🔹 Pay attention to effort (should be 500–600 N). Stops that are too soft will not hold the hood.

Where to buy:

  • 🛒 Official dealers Nissan — original with a guarantee, but expensive.
  • 🛒 Online stores (Exist.ru, Autodoc, Kolesa-darom) - a wide selection of analogues.
  • 🛒 Disassembly - used stops are cheaper, but risky (residual resource unknown).
⚠️ Attention! When purchasing analogues, check availability protective covers — without them, the stops will last 2 times less.
💡

Before buying, take a photo of the old stops with article numbers or take them with you to the store - this will help you avoid mistakes when choosing.

Step-by-step instructions for replacing hood struts Nissan Qashqai J11

Replacing the stops is an operation of medium complexity that can be performed independently in 30–40 minutes. You will need:

  • 🔧 New stops (pair).
  • 🔧 Key on 10 mm (end or horn type).
  • 🔧 Screwdriver with a flat blade (for removing clips).
  • 🔧 WD-40 or similar lubricant (if the fasteners are rusty).
  • 🔧 Gloves (so as not to get your hands dirty).

Procedure:

  1. Open the hood and secure it with a support (for example, a wooden block).
  2. Remove protective covers from the stop mounts (if any).
  3. Unscrew the fastening of the stop to the hood:
    • 🔹 On Qashqai J11 a bolt is used on 10 mm with a puck.
    • 🔹 Hold the stop with your hand so that it does not fall after unscrewing.
  4. Disconnect the stop from the body:
    • 🔹 The lower mount is also fixed with a bolt on 10 mm.
    • 🔹 If the bolt is stuck, treat it with WD-40 and wait 5-10 minutes.
  5. Install a new stop:
    • 🔹 First secure it to the body, then to the hood.
    • 🔹 Do not tighten the bolts all the way - first check the operation of the hood.
  6. Check your work:
    • 🔹 The hood should open smoothly and be fixed in any position.
    • 🔹 If the emphasis is too “hard”, loosen the fastenings and adjust the angle.

Video instructions (for clarity):

📹 Replacing hood stops Nissan Qashqai J11 (step by step)

☑️ What to check after replacing the stops

Done: 0 / 5

Adjusting the stops: how to adjust the smoothness of the hood

If after replacement the hood opens too tightly or, conversely, falls, the stops need to be adjusted. On Qashqai J11 this is done by changing the mounting angle:

  1. Loosen the mounting bolts (on the dome and hood).
  2. Change the stop position:
    • 🔹 For increasing effort (if the hood falls) - move the stop down on the body.
    • 🔹 For reducing effort (if the hood is difficult to open) - move the stop up.
  • Tighten the bolts and check the work.

    • If the adjustment does not help, the following problems are possible:

    • 🔧 Incorrectly selected stops (wrong articles or force).
    • 🔧 Jammed rod (the stop needs to be lubricated or replaced).
    • 🔧 Bent fasteners on the dome or hood.
    ⚠️ Attention! Do not try to disassemble the gas struts - they cannot be repaired! There is high pressure gas inside and attempting to open it may result in injury.
    What should I do if the stop “shoots” when disconnected?

    When the stop is removed, the gas inside the cylinder is under pressure. If the rod suddenly extends (“shoots”), hold it with a gloved hand or wrap a rag around the stop. This is normal and does not indicate a malfunction.

    Typical mistakes when replacing stops and how to avoid them

    Even experienced car owners sometimes make mistakes that lead to repeated breakdowns or incorrect operation of the stops. Let's look at the most common ones:

    • 🚫 Replacing only one stop - the new stop will work with increased load, and both will quickly fail.
    • 🚫 Using stops from other models - even if they look similar, the force or length may not be suitable.
    • 🚫 Tightening the mounting bolts - this deforms the thread or breaks the brackets.
    • 🚫 Ignoring protective covers — without them, the rod quickly corrodes.
    • 🚫 An attempt to “recharge” the old stops is a temporary solution that often ends in a break.

    How to avoid problems:

    • 🔹 Buy stops only in pairs, even if one is broken.
    • 🔹 Check articles and compatibility with Qashqai J11.
    • 🔹 Use torque wrench for tightening bolts (torque - 10–12 Nm).
    • 🔹 After installation lubricate the rod silicone grease (not lithol!).
    💡

    If after replacing the hood still falls, check the fastenings on the dome - they could be bent from impact or corrosion. In this case, straightening or replacement of the brackets will be required.

    Can the hood struts be repaired or is it just a replacement?

    Gas struts can theoretically be repaired, but in practice this is unprofitable and dangerous. Here's why:

    • 🔧 Gas filling - requires special equipment and skills. The cost of the service often exceeds the price of a new stop.
    • 🔧 Replacing oil seals - a temporary solution, since gas will still leak.
    • 🔧 Risk of rupture — after repair, the stop may burst under load and cause injury.

    When repairs are possible:

    • 🔹 If the emphasis oil leaking, but it still holds gas - you can try replacing the seals (but this is temporary).
    • 🔹If rod bent - it can be straightened (but only if there are no cracks).

    Alternative solutions (temporary):

    • 🔹 Tie the stop with wire — so that the hood does not fall sharply.
    • 🔹 Use an elastic band (for example, from the trunk).
    • 🔹 Install mechanical lock (but it's inconvenient).

    In 90% of cases replacement - the only reliable solution. Repair is only justified for rare stops that are difficult to find (for example, for old cars).

    Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

    How much do original stops for the Qashqai J11 cost?

    Price of original stops (Nissan) - from 2,500 to 3,500 rubles. per piece. A pair will cost 5,000–7,000 rubles. Analogues (Stabilus, Sachs) cheaper - 1,800–2,500 rubles. for emphasis.

    Is it possible to drive with a broken hood strut?

    Technically it is possible, but it is dangerous: the hood may suddenly fall on your hands or head. There is also a risk of damage to the paintwork. If the stopper is torn, secure the hood with a rope or rubber band until it is replaced.

    What tool is needed to replace the stops?

    Minimum set: key on 10 mm (socket or open-end), flat-blade screwdriver, WD-40 (if the bolts are rusty). A torque wrench is also useful for proper tightening.

    What to do if the new stop is too hard?

    Loosen the fasteners and move the stop up on the body (this will reduce the force). If it doesn’t help, check the article; perhaps the stop does not fit the parameters.

    Is it possible to replace the hood stops on a Qashqai J11 with your own hands?

    Yes, this is an operation of medium complexity. If you have the tools and instructions (as in this article), the replacement will take 30–40 minutes. The main thing is not to confuse the left and right stops.