Need some stronger rear hatch shocks?

[xoo00oox]

...........................I recently bought a Fiamma bike rack for the rear hatch of my van. Even with trying a couple different brands of new replacement shocks, the hatch would no longer stay open on its own. I know about the trick with a piece of PVC over the shock but was trying to avoid it so I can close the hatch without having to fool with it.
............................I found that you can buy new ones in different strengths from McMaster-Carr, they refer to them as gas springs. I tried to measure how strong one of the new stock ones were and found it to be around 150lb. I bought one new 175lb one from McMaster and put it on with the other one still being the stock strength, the lid now would stay open with the empty bike rack on. I then put two of the 175lb shocks on and now the hatch will stay open with 1 bike on the rack and it still feels good without the bike on it (not too hard to close). You need to buy the ball-socket end and eyelet end separately from them. You can choose to go stronger as well, they have them alll the way up to 250lb. I'd advise you to keep them as light as you can for what you need, I'm not sure how much weight will start breaking things.

GAS SPRING-#9416K28 (you need to specify what strength)
BALL SOCKET-#9416K79
EYELET-#9416K88

Just copy/paste these part numbers into their search bar.

[RoryGirl]

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=687800
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1991 Double door pop top conversion

[Timwhy]

The McMaster's are the shit, I have to back up when opening the htach so I don't get clocked in the face by the hatch!

Money well spent!
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'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS


http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary

http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee

[16CVs]

Mr XO is always thinking. Mc Mas is the best. I worry about all that stress being transferred on the sheet metal around the hinge on the tailgate.
Although I loath things hanging of my van, I'd rather have a swig away the all the weight on the gate.

Stacy
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1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[Ahwahnee]

[jlrftype7]

[vanagonjr]

[jimf909]

[mikemtnbike]

I bought this option from the other thread above.

https://www.liftsupportsdepot.com/year-model-searc...N%203-DOOR

It can lift and hold the hatch with a heavy 25 pound rack and two mountain bikes on it. It’s fine to close with the rack on but have to use some body weight if bare.

Just putting the other option here for anyone looking in the future.
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[davideric9]

GAS SPRING CALCULATOR:
Could try this calculator instead of all the guess work. Also note the recommended installation is "The rod must be turned downwards at rest for proper lubrication of the gas spring."
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1987 Syncro Westfalia, stock (bought 1994)
1986 Syncro Westfalia SVX, 3 knob (bought 2008)
1987 Westfalia (bought 2010)
1988 Wolfsburg GL (bought 2012)

[maco70]

To use this tool, do we know the weight of the hatch ?
Then, for another use well known, do we know the weight of the pop top ?
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Martin from Montréal

1986 Vanagon GL full camper westfalia
(brown/tan interior)