Date:         Tue, 16 Mar 1999 18:15:06 -0800
Reply-To:     "Richard M. Myers" <myersr@SPAWAR.NAVY.MIL>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Richard M. Myers" <myersr@SPAWAR.NAVY.MIL>
Organization: SPAWAR Systems Center, Code D714
Subject:      Re: Rear hatch droops, mirrors won't stay in place
Comments: To: Vanagon <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

>>The rear hatch droops to a very dangerous level. Is there a way to
adjust
>>the mechanisms that hold up the hatch? Or do those need to be
replaced?
>
>Many would say replace them.  At $20 per side it certainly isn't
expensive.
> I chose to go the plastic pipe route since the sag was only slight.
Man,
>I love those hatch supports.  What I am talking about is getting one
piece
>of 3/4" PVC pipe in an 8.25" length.  Take off 1 end of either strut
and
>slide on the pipe.  It works beautifully.  When the hatch is raised the

>pipe slide on to the inner part of the strut and automatically locks in
to
>place.  It doesn't get simpler, cheaper or more functional than this
design.
>
>Kelly Bauman
>Delta, BC
>'91 Westy

I agree, though strong struts AND the PVC pipe would be even better if
you have a heavy load on the back hatch like I do sometimes (to help
lift it!).  Make sure you buy the thick 3/4" stuff  (it's ~1/8" thick
and I think rated to 400-something PSI) or else it won't stand up to the
load, even with nothing on the hatch.  I tried it with some wimpy stuff
I had laying around and it didn't last very long.  I think it cost $1.30
for a 10 ft. piece of strong 3/4" PVC pipe.

Dick
'88 Westy
'78 Westy FS