About 28 years ago, my rear hatch gas struts were sagging.  I thought this was odd, since Vanagon was only about 8 years old at the time.  Got some new struts from PepBoys, installed them at a campground.  They said "lifetime guarantee".  Sure enough, they are still working flawlessly today, and...that is after Subaru motor conversion guys let that hatch open for the 3 month conversion process, only supported by the gas struts.  Go figure.

    On Tuesday, September 21, 2021, 11:07:45 AM PDT, David Beierl <dbeierl@gmail.com> wrote:  
 
 ---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: David Beierl <dbeierl@attglobal.net>
Date: Tue, Sep 21, 2021 at 2:05 PM
Subject: Re: Rear hatch
To: Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com>
Cc: vanagonlist a <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>

The stock arrangement was altered (one strut weakened) after early short
owners complained they couldn't reach the hatch when up.  Now it goes up to
where you raise it and stays there.

If you want the other flavor, put strong struts on both sides.

Yrs,
d

On Tue, Sep 21, 2021 at 1:48 PM Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:

> hi all,
>
> A question regarding the rear hatch of one of my vans...
>
> When I open the hatch I have to pull/push it up and it requires some
> effort, it stays when I stop pushing it. The struts are new, the hinges are
> lubed and I don't know why it is hard to get the hatch going all the way to
> the top.
>
> By comparison, on my other vans when I push on the lock either the hatch
> goes all to the top by itself or I pull a little and it goes to the top, no
> effort required.
>
> I'd think that the hinges are bent or rusty inside... but not sure.
>
> thanks
>