The Power of The List!  I tried Erik O's hatch strut fix (8.25 inch length
of 3/4 inch PVC pipe) and love the results.  My struts still have
reasonable life left in them but they do let the hatch down in really cold
weather.  They also don't keep it at full height for too long.

That was before the fix.  It works beautifully.  Full extension of the
hatch for all time to come.  I thank Erik for passing it on and urge
everyone to try it.  Installation takes about a minute and a half.  I have
copied Erik's original instructions below.

The List does it again.

Kelly Bauman
Delta, BC
'91 Westy

At 10:40 15-02-98 -0700, Erik O'Brien wrote:
>If anyone wants to fix their rear struts without replacing them try
>this. Take a piece of PVC that is just big enough to slip over the black
>part of the strut (I think the right size is 3/4). Cut a piece about
>8.25 inches and slide it over the strut. Now when you raise the hatch
>the pvc slides down and wedges itself between the black part of the
>strut and the mount on the van. Put one on both sides if you want to be
>really safe. Cut up a few extras and throw them in your glovebox to give
>out to other vanagon owners you meet.
>
>I got this idea from the guy who bought my 87 Syncro Westy, he got the
>idea from someone else. I think I handed out 7 sets at a VW show last
>summer. It makes people smile.
>
>Erik O
>82 GTI Westfalia                  http://ebyte.com/gl
>