> You can get them at bus depot but boy oh boy are they strong.
>  It takes some muscle to really close the hatch now.  I
>  think it was advised to replace both at once but not really sure why now.

Actually, we sell both a standard and a heavy-duty version.  The standard
(original-equipment) ones will close more easily, but will also fail more
quickly (as with your originals).  The heavy-duty ones make the hatch harder
to close, but they will last much longer, allow the hatch to stay open in
any position, and are even strong enough to hold a bike rack.  Both versions
are from the original equipment German manufacturers, and are on the
website.

These struts are not expensive.  $19.95 each for the heavy duty ones, $18.95
for the stock ones. They install in about two minutes with no tools.  I have
to admit that I don't quite understand people going to all this trouble to
construct home-made solutions with pvc pipe, looking for strut rebuilders,
or putting up with a hatch that bangs you in the head, given that it simply
doesn't cost much to solve the problem the right way for once and for all.
Then again, I suppose that for some Vanagoneers, the fun is in the chase.
:-)

Yes, you should replace the struts in pairs for maximum lifespan.  This will
ensure that they wear gradually and evenly.  If one is worn and one is new,
the new one will be doing most of the work and will fail prematurely. In the
long run you will end up paying more money.

- Ron Salmon
  The Bus Depot, Inc.
  http://www.busdepot.com
  (215) 234-VWVW