Date:         Wed, 16 Feb 2000 08:20:05 -0700
Reply-To:     "Michael A. Radtke" <m.radtke@ELM.AZ05.BULL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Michael A. Radtke" <m.radtke@ELM.AZ05.BULL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Hatch Struts
Comments: To: The Bus Depot <ron@NETCARRIER.COM>

Hello,

Just another point on the curve.  Ron says: "I have never heard of a set of
mine ever failing."

Well, I bought mine a couple of years ago from Ron.  I agree that they were
much stronger than the originals.  In my opinion, almost annoying enough to
return, but no different than the aftermarket struts that I bought for a
different car.  And, like those other aftermarket struts, after a couple of
months of being annoyingly strong, they suddenly started getting weaker.
 However, after a month of getting weaker every day, they leveled out
again.  Up to this point, they still paralleled the performance of those
other struts.  However, Ron's struts still continue to weaken and now after
a bit over 2 years just barely hold the hatch.  The other car's struts have
stayed the same, approximately like OEM.

My original hatch struts lasted about 6 years.  After a few years of PVC, I
bought VW replacements which started weak and lasted 3 years.  Ron's will
probably match that.  I think that I got my money's worth.

Mike   '84GL  '60 Vespa  '58 Isetta    ---   Phoenix Arizona