> is there a place other than the dealer where i can find a new pair of the
> hydraulic cylinders that keep the rear hatch open ?  what type would you
> recommend; original or aftermarket ?

Yes there is.  Me.  I sell replacement hatch struts for $19.95 each.  These
are the genuine article, made by the German supplier to Volkswagen, but
they differ from the originals in one important respect: longevity. In a
fit of poor judgement, Volkswagen put a weaker strut on the left side than
on the right side, resulting in premature failure.  My solution is to
replace them with a pair of right side struts, which will last longer.
(Also, they will hold the hatch open even if it is not opened up all the
way.)  The increased load capacity of these struts is not enough to make
the hatch difficult to open.

-Ron Salmon
 The Bus Depot
 http://www.busdepot.com