More than three years ago I replaced ours with two of the "strong" struts from Bus Depot and they will hold up the hatch with a Saris 3-bike rack on it, but NOT with bikes on that rack.� Just an observation.� There might be stronger struts that will hold up more, but they might have the disadvantage of being too stiff to let the hatch come down easily.

Stephen

--- On Sat, 3/13/10, Michael Sullivan <sandwichhead@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

From: Michael Sullivan <sandwichhead@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Rear Hatch Struts
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Date: Saturday, March 13, 2010, 11:21 AM

Steven, you can check the archives v=becasue this was brought up
recently...but if you store stuff on the hatch, i belive that the stiffer
ones are receommended.� If you do not store stuff, then one stiff and one
not-so-stiff is recommended, IIRC.
Michael in San Antonio
91GL AT 'Gringo'
73 Beetle

On Sat, Mar 13, 2010 at 9:46 AM, Steve Drier. <Vanvw1@aol.com> wrote:

> Planning on replacing the rear hatch struts on my 91 Carat soon. Any input
> on brands and or vendors would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Steve
>