It's called age. ALL hood and tailgate struts DO die with age. It's just another wear and tear part.

Yep. Doesn't matter what car they're from. I think I got lucky, the struts I pulled looked relatively new (read: not original).

I hate pain...
Hood strut rods should be replaced when defective.
Sudden closing of a hood has sufficient power to inflict severe injuries at the least.

A broom or any unattached device is defying mother nature.
In my opinion this is a cruise for bruise.