Gas Springs Trunk (Tailgate Dampers) - Tips?

Today, I have a rather mundane question.

Gas springs for the tailgate probably aren't very expensive, but if a new one isn't necessary, it would of course be better.

I assume that the "thrust" gradually decreases over the years due to gas leakage. So, it seems that the only real solution is to buy a new one. (I've already had the lid almost not opening completely twice - which it now does more often...)

Are there any other reasons (e.g., contaminants that could increase friction, etc.) that might be causing this issue, and if so, could they be addressed? Or is it really just a pressure loss over time?

Are there any experiences regarding significant differences in performance when purchasing new products, specifically brands where the power diminishes after only weeks or months, rather than after years?

Thank you in advance for any tips and tricks. Perhaps others have had good (or not so good) experiences.

I used the search function, but all I found on the topic was this: https://community.dieselschrauber.org/en/viewtopic.php?t=27560

Update: I did some research for my Passat B6 Variant (3C) from 2006 (0603/AFB): it seems they are part numbers 3C9827550 or 3C9827550A, and they cost around 25-40 euros per pair (buying "compatible" products online, not original).

Hi,

Fortunately, I haven't had to replace the gas struts on any of my vehicles yet. The oldest vehicle I own is my wife's Golf 2, which is already over 20 years old, but even with that car, the trunk lid still stays up.

What definitely reduces the lifespan is dirt on the piston rods. Scratches or dents are even worse, as they can destroy the seal in the medium term. Therefore, it's a good idea to wipe the piston rods with a slightly oiled cloth once a year.

Best regards, Rainer.

Hello Rainer,

Thank you for the quick response. I was afraid that might be the case. Proper maintenance wasn't really done by the previous owner (and it hasn't been done by me either...).

I will definitely keep that in mind for the future.

I've decided to go with the Monroe ML5831 (2 pieces, delivered free of charge for a total of EUR 27, with free returns if needed) - I couldn't say no, especially since they promised delivery by Saturday.

I once replaced the shock absorbers on my 3C variant and, after doing some online research, I decided to go with Lesjöfjörs (or something similar). They were praised in car forums as being supposedly original equipment and having a higher spring rate.

My conclusion:
The standard equipment also includes a damper at the top end, which gently lowers the last few centimeters.
The Lesjöfjörs rise powerfully, then unexpectedly hit their own upper limit.

It annoyed me for three years. Now, the old valve was finally so rusted that I installed a new one from a military vehicle, including the original damper. I am happy again .

Greetings.
Guste.

Quote:

The Lesjöfjörs rise powerfully and then, completely unexpectedly, hit their own end stop.

I had a feeling that it would be a good idea to ask here in the forum first...

Lesjöfors 8195056 hatte ich auch gesehen, mich dann aber für Monroe ML5831 entschieden (kosten einzeln so um die EUR 22 zzgl. VI'm sorry, but I need more context to provide an accurate translation. Please provide the full text you would like me to translate from German to English.

I'm curious to see. If they have the same problem as Lesjöfors, I'll return them.

I never would have thought that (well-maintained) used items could be better than new ones. (Although I already knew that they wouldn't necessarily be "original equipment" quality.)

In the opposite case, two years ago I bought a headlight (it was only the motor for the cornering light that was defective, but it's not available separately) from one of the large parts suppliers (they have excellent service and support, and even offer purchase on account), for a little over 400 euros (which was probably almost half the price of a new one), and at the time it really seemed to be "original equipment quality." It was from Valeo, like the original, if I remember correctly (regarding the original).

At that time, because the vehicle had to pass a mandatory inspection quickly (and it wasn't even my vehicle yet), there was no time for me to do any DIY work on the turn signal motor.

Hello.

Did my previous car have a Monroe gas strut for the tailgate?
A4 Avant 8E purchased. These were powerful, but they lacked end-stop damping.
In addition, they were 6mm longer, which meant that the lid was constantly hitting the garage ceiling.
According to the specifications, they should have the same insertion depth. However, with the factory-installed ones, the lid always stopped 2cm below the ceiling, so be careful.

Regards, Mpire.

Quote:

Monroe gas springs ... did not have end-of-stroke damping ... were 6mm longer.

Thank you for the advice/warning.

The vehicle is always parked outdoors, so a larger opening wouldn't really be a problem (although it's surprising, because the technical specifications indicate they are identical to all other models).

However, the lack of end-stage damping could indeed be a problem - I'm curious to see.

The fundamental question then becomes: how do you find, among all the available options, those that offer good final attenuation (if any)?

Perhaps it's only available with the original product... (because I didn't see it mentioned anywhere in the product specifications).


Off-Topic: I'm just realizing I have a similar problem with the automatic leash for our dog:

Very often, I think: "The closer the end of the excerpt gets, the harder the rest should be to extract, so that it doesn't end with such a sudden jolt..."

Phaidros wrote:

Off-Topic: I'm just realizing I have a similar problem with my dog's automatic leash: Very often, I think: "The closer the end of the move gets, the harder the rest should be to move, so that it doesn't end with such a sudden jolt..."

Also OFFTOPIC .

It could probably be realized using a friction damper that increasingly slows down the process as more line is pulled out.
I am looking forward to your initial developments and tests .
OFFTOPIC OFF

Regards, Mpire.

I only buy Stabilus products now, because they have a damping system at the end of their range of motion.

Everything else is only of limited value.

Greetings.

Quote:

I only buy Stabilus products now, because they have an end-of-stroke damping system. Everything else is only of limited use.

Ditto... Also, they are also very common as original equipment.

Thank you to findus170 and Autoservice for pointing out the end-of-life damping feature on Stabilus products (which are apparently also distributed by febi bilstein under their own brand names).

Ordered 2x STABILUS 016823 LIFT-O-MAT (also costing less than EUR 30 each).

The MONROE order arrived quickly, but it seems to have been a bit too fast, and I will probably return it unopened.

Thank you again to everyone for the advice!

STABILUS gas springs, model 016823, easily installed.

Now, the tailgate finally opens completely on its own again.

The end-of-life damping is clearly noticeable and truly very beautiful.

I should have done that a long time ago!

Thanks again to everyone for the helpful tips.

See the pictures for the only drawback I could find with the Stabilus products... (I really had to wait in line for a long time at the post office...)

Let's talk about something more general - are you actually rebuilding your car?
hg
Herbert.

Quote:

Are you actually rebuilding your car

?
Hello Herbert,

Thank you for the question, which actually surprises me, as I have only mentioned the radio, the climate control motor, and gas springs so far, which have been bothering me for over a year.

So far, I've only partially addressed the bigger issues: I had the exhaust gas recirculation cooler replaced, which had been leaking for over a year, but I've postponed the diesel particulate filter cleaning (although it's due soon), and I haven't yet resolved the oil leak.

The bigger things are therefore still more open...

Until a year and a half ago, I had never driven a diesel car.

But on the day of my 18th birthday, I registered my NSU Max and later (concurrently) drove an NSU Prinz 4.

Here are links for those who are too young to know these "classic cars":

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSU_Max (but it was already a classic car in my own time).
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSU_Prinz_4 (which was in the early 1980s)

At the time, I did everything myself on the vehicles (including completely disassembling the engine once and reassembling it - because of a leak from an O-ring in a silly place).

I was impressed by the high mileage figures of the vehicles you listed!

Best regards,

If you still have the Max, bring it here.

Best regards, Frank.