I will say this - I got a set of new struts from Bus Depot last year (almost
exactly) and they still hold the hatch up, even with a Paulchen rack and
bike carrier.  (not with two bikes though!)

In fact, without the rack the rear hatch is rather difficult to close.

Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy
Santa Barbara, CA

-----Original Message-----
From: Alan Bosch [mailto:arbosch@RA.ROCKWELL.COM]
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2000 5:42 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Hatch Struts

<<<snip>>> I have wondered if this was the thing to do BEFORE your struts
go bad - to
keep them from getting that way. <<<snip>>>

The only reason I use this little set up is because I installed s pair of
6" speakers on the hatch.  The struts are fine, but not with the extra few
pounds of the speakers.  Karl Bloss & I caravaned to the '99 Transporters
by the Tunnel.  We had just met up and I popped the hatch to get something
out of the back.  The hatch drooped, but didn't close all the way.  Karl
walks up with this little piece of plastic pipe and says put it on the
strut.  Did it right there.  Works like a charm and I tell everyone who'll
listen about it.

Alan Bosch
& Phred ('88 Wolfsburg)
Rochester, NY