Probably the worst reason why it's hard to lift is, that the two items that
work against each other in the process of lifting, has cut into each other.
Sometimes cut right through.  Upon disassembly one can see the damage.
It's a simple mechanism.  One can install a thin plastic material to stop
the cutting-in and make the lifting easier.  Sometimes the cut-in is not
very deep, can be welded up, smoothed down by grinding it.  But in any case
that are has to be fixed to be able to re-use again.
Any strengthening of the spring is helpful.  Though there is the option to
install struts.
Zoltan

-----Original Message-----
From: Gary Meier
Sent: Monday, August 05, 2013 7:47 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Lift Mechanism 84 Westy

Does anyone know of a way to rebuild/re-tension the built in lift assist on
an 84 Westy pop top. I can hardly get the pop top up by myself.
Gary Meier