Tailgate gas struts not holding tailgate up anymore, any accessories?

[Polomint]

Have upgraded gas struts for bike rack but over this winter they have not been holding the tailgate open, is there anything available that will fix the problem.

 

[pchmlk]

This is just a seasonal issue isn’t it? How are they today?

 

[Polomint]

Fine today, but how cold before they do it??

 

[pchmlk]

I don’t know the actual temp, but in the summer the tailgate will take your face off and in the winter gets a bit droopy!

 

[Polomint]

Thanks Pchmlk, just have to put up with a droopy tailgate for part of the year then

 

[TripleBee]

When the temperature drops, the gas in the struts shrinks. When the temperature rises, the gas expands.
I have no bike rack, and even then, when below 10°C. or even 15°C., the tailgate won't open in one go. It opens about 50° angle, and then I have to push the tailgate open to get it stuck open.
In summer, when the sun is shining on the back, when there are no chairs in it, I have to keep hold of the tailgate when I open it, otherwise it will land on the bonnet (figure of speech).
I am afraid you will have to live with it. If you would put in gas struts that keep the tailgate open with the chairs and a bike rack in winter, you will never get the tailgate closed in summertime.
This are the laws of physics.

 

[Perfectos]

There are various plastic parts available that are designed to attach to the gas strut.
When deployed they prevent the strut from closing, when you want to close the tailgate you simply pull the prop bavk away from the gas strut, allowing the piston to close, the devices range from a few pounds on Chinese sites to stupid money on German sellers.

Edit
Here's one example

Edit link : https://share.temu.com/JvL6i9qbsLB

 

[Perfectos]

And another

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Make a diy version of below…

Heckklappenfeststeller | VanShower Shop

➤ Hält die Heckklappe stabil im Winkel! ✔ passend für alle Gasdruckdämpfer ✔ perfekt für die Nutzung von Heckzelten ✔ hochwertiges Aluminium ✔ rostfrei ✔ stabil ✔ einfach zu kürzen ▻ Jetzt bestellen!

www.vanshower.de

 

[RedWhiteMonkey]

Make a diy version of below…

Heckklappenfeststeller | VanShower Shop

➤ Hält die Heckklappe stabil im Winkel! ✔ passend für alle Gasdruckdämpfer ✔ perfekt für die Nutzung von Heckzelten ✔ hochwertiges Aluminium ✔ rostfrei ✔ stabil ✔ einfach zu kürzen ▻ Jetzt bestellen!

www.vanshower.de

That's a canny markup for a bit of alu pipe with a bit cut out.

 

[Alexlex85]

You need a pair of these.

Stabilus 045915 Covers Engine : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

Buy Stabilus 045915 Covers Engine at Amazon UK. Free delivery on eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[Polomint]

Thanks Perfectos, I thought I remembered some contraption for the struts. If it gets bad again next cold snap might treat myself to some.

 

[Alexlex85]

Which gas struts did u previously replace and failed?
The ones I linked above are the proper oem ones suitable for a Cali heavier tailgate and a bike rack.
You won’t find them cheaper anywhere
Been researching for weeks,
3 months in and I have no issues

 

[Blue Yonder]

Have upgraded gas struts for bike rack but over this winter they have not been holding the tailgate open, is there anything available that will fix the problem.

 

[Blue Yonder]

general point…. The gas struts on a California are stop type, that is they are designed to assist the opening of the tailgate and hold its weight at any position from partially open to fully open. Their internal gas pressure is critical in this function and of course ambient temperature has a significant effect on gas pressure in a sealed system. So there is a Goldilocks temperature range where they function as intended outside of this range the gas assist is slightly to weak or to strong.

 

[KGCali]

Which gas struts did u previously replace and failed?
The ones I linked above are the proper oem ones suitable for a Cali heavier tailgate and a bike rack.
You won’t find them cheaper anywhere
Been researching for weeks,
3 months in and I have no issues

Did you also look at the SGS T5/T6 tailgate gas struts uprated for bike rack around £36
Car & Boot Tailgates | SGS Engineering https://share.google/hevAcPozQsMpIx1r5

 

[Oceanwagen]

I have a 2024 T6.1 (so maybe not relevant?) and I reported that tailgate was not opening fully at recent service. They are getting replaced under warranty. Apparently this is a common fault.

 

[Alexlex85]

Did you also look at the SGS T5/T6 tailgate gas struts uprated for bike rack around £36
Car & Boot Tailgates | SGS Engineering https://share.google/hevAcPozQsMpIx1r5

yes. SGS are rubbish. I tried them in this application and several other cars in the past. Id stay well clear.
Plus stabilus are the oem manufacturer and supplier to VW and many other car manufacturers including bmw

 

[Alexlex85]

Also available on autodoc

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/stabilus/8637102?search=STABILUS+Tailgate+strut+%28045915%29