Belated reply - sorry. Just now cleaning out some of my old mail.

I got tired of banging my head and the expense and trouble of replacing
those struts, and got a piece of 1/2" dowel and cut it to the length of the
fully extended strut (about 22"). Then whenever I open the hatch to work on
the engine or whatever, I just wedge the dowel in right next to and above
the strut. Works beautifully. The only trick is remembering to pull it back
out before trying to close the hatch...

cheers,
jt
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Jurik <MAJurik27@AOL.COM>
To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Saturday, October 03, 1998 7:30 AM
Subject: Re: Best Hatch Struts???

>In a message dated 10/2/98 12:55:35 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
>dhaslup@EROLS.COM writes:
>
><<
> Within the past few weeks I know I found them but I can't remember where
the
> site is.  I found what professed to be stronger than original strut
> replacements for my rear hatch ('80 Vanagon) for around $20 each.
>
> If anyone knows where I might have seen this or if anyone has a place they
> would recommend for a good replacement strut please let me know. >>
>
>I bought a pair at my local Western Auto parts shop about a year and a half
>ago. There're still going strong. The German struts I used to buy would
last
>about a year and then start going for my head. I use the tail gate alot and
>the frigid nights here are murder on struts. Western Auto has stores
>nationwide, according to the counter man. Might be worth a try. I can't
>remeber the price but I do remember being pleasantly surprised by the cost.
>Good luck.
>
>Michael
>87 GL
>