Tailgate struts replaced :)

[bvs]

One of those insidious little problems where the tailgate gas struts gradually deteriorate LOL .... well the recent cold snap finished the little devils off !

So on to ebay and bought a pair of 'top quality' chinese pattern struts !

Anyway they arrived just before Chrimble - seem ok quality to look at,take 5 mins to change and now have a tailgate which actually opens itself

NTB for 15 squid posted.

[littlepolo]

They seem to have put op the price following your recommendation (£1,014.99)

It will be interesting to know how they last.

[bvs]

LOL they were 14.99 last week - I will remove the link

Thanks for the heads up LP

[littlepolo]

I've just purchased a similar pair of struts off eBay.

There were no fitting instructions and they seem very tight. I cannot compress them by hand.

Did you experience similar and/or how did you fit them please?

[bvs]

Yes I could not compress them by hand either.
Both ends of the strut are locked by a spring 'U' clip,just need to get a small screwdriver under the clip and withdraw it - then the strut end cup just pulls off its ball type mounting.

youtube clip - I just used a broom handle to support the tailgate.



rgds baz

[littlepolo]

Thanks. Water off a duck's back for a Polo owner.

After that is done my next job is to rig something (likely a pair of self-tappers) up to hang the parcel shelf cords from (the original lugs sheared off).

[Dpautobodys]

Thanks. Water off a duck's back for a Polo owner.

After that is done my next job is to rig something (likely a pair of self-tappers) up to hang the parcel shelf cords from (the original lugs sheared off).

Ditto, mine are bloody broke.

[RUM4MO]

Yes, what a stupid design! I must have been lucky as I got hold of the mounting as soon as I was told by my wife, that one side had broken off, then drilled it, tapped it and fitted a suitable screw right through the broken part and down through the trim and used structural cement on it as well! That repair lasted until we sold that car many years later at 13 years old and 106K miles.
So, maybe try to fashion a new lug from plastic and do what I did as that will probably last longer than just a self tapper?

[littlepolo]

Struts replaced with eBay specials. Everything seems to be OK.

Parcel shelf hangers to follow (when warmer weather arrives)