If your struts are just slowly sagging, e.g. in the winter when the temps don't
allow the gas to pump up much, try this cheap hatch strut support made from
3/4" PVC pipe:

http://www.enter.net/~bloss/vw/hatch_strut_support.PDF

Works great:  disappears when the hatch is closed, instantly pops in place when
you lift the hatch, and you can pop it back out with one hand.  Installs in a
snap by just taking the circlip off, etc. (see the PDF file).

If you don't want to make one, I make them to give away at VW events.  If you
want one, you can have one for the price of postage and a padded envelope
(about $2).  If you're interested, p-mail me.

-Karl

> Once again, I got overwhelmed by info from the archives (BTW, can you do
> compound searches?), so a quickie...
>
> What are the best replacement hatch struts, without breaking the bank? Are
> the ones from the FLAPS good enough?
>
> Chers!
> Keith in his 86 Westy WBX
>

Karl and Kristina Bloss, Trexlertown, PA
'87 Westfalia Weekender  "Beverley" - 192K miles
http://www.enter.net/~bloss/vw/
PA/NJ Vanagon owner's mailing list: http://www.enter.net/~bloss/vw/pavanagon/