Uprated Tailgate Struts

[superflyguy]

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I'm not a fan of the SGS struts I have fitted, not finished off as well as vw, and they creak loudly when opening the tailgate.

 

[Ads_Essex]

Does anyone know if the Cali (or any other) struts are the same length? I could do with my tailgate opening a bit higher... it’ll only be a matter of time before I crack my head on it!

 

[Pauly]

They are all the same length
Pair Of Genuine VW T6 Tailgate Gas Struts
7E0827550B - Standard strut 900 N
7E0827550C - Caravelle strut 985N
7E0827550D - California strut 1200N
Please note these part numbers are for standard vans/kombis/caravelles and do not fit californias

 

[B19DRG]

They are all the same length
Pair Of Genuine VW T6 Tailgate Gas Struts
7E0827550B - Standard strut 900 N
7E0827550C - Caravelle strut 985N
7E0827550D - California strut 1200N
Please note these part numbers are for standard vans/kombis/caravelles and do not fit californias

Would the California strut be overkill for a tailgate ? Don’t wanna get the caravalelle and it not be ok ?

 

[Pauly]

The Cali 1200 unit is very strong and takes a large amount of force to close it without a bike rack on (have to use a bit of body weight to get it down)
If you have put sound deadening etc in there and its a bit weak i would go with the 985 units but its all down to how much weight you have added (bike rack is circa 14kgs)

 

[Loz]

Mines okay without bikes as long as you don’t leave it up in the sun then they are almost impossible to get down..

 

[B19DRG]

Mines okay without bikes as long as you don’t leave it up in the sun then they are almost impossible to get down..

Thanks guys I’m a little bit confused, guess I’ll go with the 985 , hope that works ok

 

[andys]

I uprated mine to 985 and regret it a bit as it can still sag just slightly and I occasionaly crack my head on the corner. I don't have a bike rack, just lots of stuff like grip mats, ramps and little shovel plus sound deadening stuck to it so I'm thinking the 1200N Cali struts might be a bit overkill. I think I'm going to order them and fit one 1200 and one 985 as a compromise and see if it works.

 

[StudleyGlass]

I have upgraded to 985s on my kombi tailgate because i have fitted a lot of sound deadening and fitted the vw interior covers. They do work ok but i agree with @andys you still need to careful and make sure it is fully up so you dont knock yourself out ....maybe 1200N one side and a 985 the other would work ok but i would be worried about the imbalance when closing them as it my twist the tailgate with different forces on either side ?

 

[B19DRG]

Got the 985’s fitted , work out just fine

 

[andys]

I have upgraded to 985s on my kombi tailgate because i have fitted a lot of sound deadening and fitted the vw interior covers. They do work ok but i agree with @andys you still need to careful and make sure it is fully up so you dont knock yourself out ....maybe 1200N one side and a 985 the other would work ok but i would be worried about the imbalance when closing them as it my twist the tailgate with different forces on either side ?

Yes that was my worry. I'm thinking I could close it with more pressure on the 1200N side but I don't know how it'll work, I'll report back

 

[Ads_Essex]

Does anyone know if the Cali (or any other) struts are the same length? I could do with my tailgate opening a bit higher... it’ll only be a matter of time before I crack my head on it!

They are all the same length

I think I should have realised - my tailgate conversion relies on aftermarket parts made for a T5, and apparently the struts are longer on a T5 compared to the T6, so that’ll be why my tailgate isn’t, erm, fully erect.

 

[Zagora]

I've replaced the standard vw tailgate struts as the extra weight from the sound proofing and carpet lining is too much for the originals.
The new struts are on but i'm struggling to re-fit the circular clips, is there a technique? Should they be in place before the new struts are fitted or pushed on after?

 

[superflyguy]

I left mine on and just prised it away slightly with a flat screwdriver and it went on straight away

 

[Wills]

They are a bit of a pain. Leave them on and push fit.

 

[DaveyB]

Strange. They should just clip on once you have fitted the strut. Give the tailgate a wiggle up and down with one hand then pop the clip on with the other. Probably only an alignment issue. You shouldn’t need any tools to press the clip on.

 

[Zagora]

I've given up trying to get them back on. Think i'll remove the struts tomorrow, part fit the clips before pushing the struts back on then push the clips home.
I cant see how the clips can be fitted any othervway.

 

[Pauly]

I leave the clips on, no reason to fully remove them
Agree with Dave’s method I always ‘bounce’ the weight of the tailgate when clipping them and they slip right on

 

[Zagora]

Problem resolved.
In a rush to put them on last night, with my poor eyesight and it beind dark I didn't realise the new struts come fitted with the clips no wonder i couldn't fit the old clips!

 

[Ranger13]

Problem resolved.
In a rush to put them on last night, with my poor eyesight and it beind dark I didn't realise the new struts come fitted with the clips no wonder i couldn't fit the old clips!

Can I ask where you got the struts from I’m looking to replace mine ?