There were actually three different part numbers for hatch struts.  One weak,
one heavy duty for some model years and they would put one on the left and
the other on the right.  Then there were some years that used a middle
strength strut for both sides.  These middle strength struts are the ones
that I sell.  They are not the weak ones and they are not the stiffest ones
that Ron sells.  I have a set of the heavy duty ones on my '91 Carat and I
will agree that my small wife (who only weighs 98lbs) could probably hang
from the hatch when open.  This stiffness is great if you have a bike rack or
something on the rear hatch.  But if you just a normal person who wants to
open and close the rear hatch, the effort is more than desirable.  I have the
struts that I sell on some of my other vans and they are stiff enough to hold
the hatch open with no problem normally, but when you go to close it there is
much less resistance after a certain point.  I mean the heavy duty struts you
are fighting to close the hatch all the way down.  I am not saying that there
is anything wrong with the struts that Ron sells.  Many people have them and
are very happy.  However if you want a medium feel then the ones I sell are
better.  They are $18 each and they are VW dealer too.  Let me know if you
are interested.

Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
Phone: (856)-765-1583
Fax: (856)-327-2242