Hydronic bar in pop top

Julpatlyd · 2026-05-17T11:12:34+0100

Hello last night whilst my daughter was sleeping up top in our t6.1 cali (2021 electric pop top) I heard an almighty bang - thought something had crashed into the pop top roof! I checked around but could not see anything This morning when we went to put the bed up the passenger rear end tilted upwards - it seems like the passenger side hydrolic bar has detached from its fixture at the rear end of the bed? Does anyone know exactly what has happened and is this an expensive fix?

WelshGas · 2026-05-17T11:25:44+0100

Julpatlyd said:
Hello last night whilst my daughter was sleeping up top in our t6.1 cali (2021 electric pop top) I heard an almighty bang - thought something had crashed into the pop top roof! I checked around but could not see anything This morning when we went to put the bed up the passenger rear end tilted upwards - it seems like the passenger side hydrolic bar has detached from its fixture at the rear end of the bed? Does anyone know exactly what has happened and is this an expensive fix?

I presume you mean the gas strut holding the bed up?
Should just push fit onto its attachment.
A picture would be useful.

lohr500 · 2026-05-17T11:26:43+0100

Has the hydraulic ram detached, or is it the hinge at the rear which has snapped?

If the hinge, then this post may help :

T6.1 Upper Bed Hinge - DIY FIX

Like a few others, I learnt the hard way this weekend that leaving anything on the ledge below where the bed hinges, results in the plastic bracket snapping. I managed to source a new bracket from Campervantastic which arrived very quickly and only cost £8 plus delivery. Upper Bed Hinges...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

If just the ram, then as per @WelshGas assuming no damage to the ram or the ball that it attaches to, it should just push back on the ball.

Julpatlyd · 2026-05-17T12:38:40+0100

WelshGas said:
I presume you mean the gas strut holding the bed up?
Should just push fit onto its attachment.
A picture would be useful.

Hello Welsh gas - yes I presume so - there is one on either side. It was the noise - like a cable had snapped or something . Hence thought it may be a big job? Not sure how easy it is to get to the very bottom of the

WelshGas said:
I presume you mean the gas strut holding the bed up?
Should just push fit onto its attachment.
A picture would be useful.

Julpatlyd · 2026-05-17T12:42:30+0100

It seems the bed is further over to the drivers side thus trapping the strut somewhat - so difficult to take a picture. I’ve just tried to lift the bed again but it floats over to the canvas on the drivers side and we r mindful it could damage the canvas.. we r out on a campsite but packing up to go home. It looks like the bed is engaged at the back . As I said it sounded like something as snapped but can’t see anything ( sorry pics aren’t great)!

Julpatlyd · 2026-05-17T14:05:52+0100

It seems as if the bed has twisted out of shape the gap one side is much bigger one side and the other side the strut is trapped somewhat . As I lift the bed it lifts up at the bottom on the passenger side even tho it appears to be on its hinges and the front moves right over to the canvas at the front drivers side! I really have to try pull it out and yet can’t see anything broken. It’s going to Vw garage for Mot on Tues so hopefully they can look at it .

Julpatlyd · 2026-05-17T14:06:47+0100

Julpatlyd said:
It seems as if the bed has twisted out of shape the gap one side is much bigger one side and the other side the strut is trapped somewhat . As I lift the bed it lifts up at the bottom on the passenger side even tho it appears to be on its hinges and the front moves right over to the canvas at the front drivers side! I really have to try pull it out and yet can’t see anything broken. It’s going to Vw garage for Mot on Tues so hopefully they can look at it .

Sorry ime a bit useless at posting etc! First time I have used this thread!

lohr500 · 2026-05-17T14:23:37+0100

It's hard to tell from the photos, but the gas struts do appear to be attached at both ends.

If the back of the bed is lifting at the rear passenger corner when you try to lift the bed at the front, then I suspect it is the plastic hinge that has snapped as per the link I posted earlier.

Julpatlyd · 2026-05-17T14:48:04+0100

So nothing to do with these hinges on my photos attached the bottom of the bed ?

lohr500 · 2026-05-17T14:57:18+0100

Now I'm having doubts!!!
The passenger side hinge does look to be OK in the photo , but perhaps it has cracked on the lower side where the bolt goes through the fixed mounting.

As I understand it, the bed simply pivots on those two rear hinges, assisted by the gas struts.
Even if one gas strut became disconnected, I wouldn't have thought the rear of the bed could rise up on the passenger side unless that plastic part of the hinge assembly has failed in some way.

Julpatlyd · 2026-05-17T16:49:30+0100

lohr500 said:
Now I'm having doubts!!!
The passenger side hinge does look to be OK in the photo , but perhaps it has cracked on the lower side where the bolt goes through the fixed mounting.

As I understand it, the bed simply pivots on those two rear hinges, assisted by the gas struts.
Even if one gas strut became disconnected, I wouldn't have thought the rear of the bed could rise up on the passenger side unless that plastic part of the hinge assembly has failed in some way.

Thank you for your replies - we would struggle to fix this ourselves as knocking on a bit lols! But helpful to pass this info on to the dealer Tues. can’t believe date of car reg is 24.5.26 so just inside 5 yr warranty I hope!!!