RE: PVC On the Struts
Some years back I watched a VW mechanic use the ultimate tool for dealing
with the rear hatch on a Vanagon.  Anytime he was approaching a Vanagon and
knew he was going to be opening the rear hatch he had a piece of heavy
brass tubing in his hand.  That piece of tubing had been split open it's
entire length and the split opening was just wide enough to slip over the
piston (small) end of the hatch strut.  And when he opened the rear hatch,
no matter how good the struts were, that piece of tubing went onto one of
the struts.  He never had to worry about a hatch coming down on his head.