I put mine on a year and a half ago.  I weigh 190 U.S. pounds, and can
still barely gather enough strength to close the hatch.  I suppose Ron's
supplier has quality problems for your batch.

Michael

----------
> From: Colin Carmichael <colincarmichael@YAHOO.COM>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Problems with THE BUS DEPOT - Rear Hatch Struts
> Date: Friday, September 15, 2000 12:14 PM
>
> Hello List.  I bought a set of the "Heavy Duty" Rear
> Hatch Struts from The Bus Depot back in July.  Had
> them on my 91 GL for a few weeks (initially working
> very well) and then they started to fail.  The rear
> hatch would fall to halfway.