Not sure about this little problem...........I was washing the Treg yesterday and lifted the tailgate. It was sloppy and seemed to have no air assist. Pushed all the way up seemed to lack a positive lock. Same thing with the rear window when opened. Felt really sloppy and loose. Now, all I can think of is the air struts may have gone soft. No prior issues, always firm and with gas lift evident, even last week it was as good as. Treg out of warranty, but with a mere 36,000 klms, this is not something I'd expect. Is this a problem with the Treg air struts (as in a defect others have identified)? If not, then I may need to hit up VGA for some answers.
Tail gate woes
OILSLURPER
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Not sure about this little problem...........I was washing the Treg yesterday and lifted the tailgate. It was sloppy and seemed to have no air assist. Pushed all the way up seemed to lack a positive lock. Same thing with the rear window when opened. Felt really sloppy and loose. Now, all I can think of is the air struts may have gone soft. No prior issues, always firm and with gas lift evident, even last week it was as good as. Treg out of warranty, but with a mere 36,000 klms, this is not something I'd expect. Is this a problem with the Treg air struts (as in a defect others have identified)? If not, then I may need to hit up VGA for some answers.
I think I'm onto my second or third set of struts (all under warranty), the last time it was changed the service tech told me the trick to make them last is to unlock, lift to just over half way and let the strut do the rest, apparently the geometry is a bit weird and any force near the end of travel bend the struts slightly making it defective. I have followed this advice and the struts has been all good and reliable since.
cheers
cheers
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That's a few sets, I mean 2-3! Maybe the struts are crap; I'm getting the wife to drop it off to Boetchers VW this arvo for assessment. I called VGA in Sydney earlier and they'll come to the party if there is something amiss. I usually raise the tailgate as you suggested and let the air do the rest; the glass window must also use the same struts as it's cactus. Just a sudden occurance, which with struts is not normally instant. Wait and see I guess.
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Just had the dealer assessment and both struts are rooted! Not a great sign of durability with these struts going so early. I got onto VGA again and now getting repairs booked in through "goodwill assistance". Not sure how this will pan out; but I expect the job to be funded by VGA.
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Oilslurper
I had my struts go on my Treg, and when the dealer repleced them, they forgot the access covers. It's amazing how much water and dust you can get in the boot when they're not there.
You can see them from the outside. Check my photo. Apologies to the Amex man 'don't leave home without it'.
Cheers
Bob
I had my struts go on my Treg, and when the dealer repleced them, they forgot the access covers. It's amazing how much water and dust you can get in the boot when they're not there.
You can see them from the outside. Check my photo. Apologies to the Amex man 'don't leave home without it'.
Cheers
Bob
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Without looking into the interior roof cavity where the struts are housed, I'm thinking that there may be a design issue with the linkage and strut. The only point where this can occur is when the tailgate is fully raised. If it gets pushed beyond that point maybe it can damage the strut ram (?) I mean, most tailgate struts (any vehicle) usually last with a fair bit of use. Anyway, we'll wait and see. Not a defect I expected though.
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Hey Barefoot
I believe my struts let go because the tail gate was misaligned when it was put back on after I broke the window. As I understand it, to replace the sruts they remove the headlining in the boot, remove the access covers and replace the struts. The way it looks, I'd reckon you'd have do it with the tailgate closed. The dealer had to get my Treg back in, remove the headlining and fit the covers. All I'm saying is make sure they're in place after the job's done.
Cheers
I believe my struts let go because the tail gate was misaligned when it was put back on after I broke the window. As I understand it, to replace the sruts they remove the headlining in the boot, remove the access covers and replace the struts. The way it looks, I'd reckon you'd have do it with the tailgate closed. The dealer had to get my Treg back in, remove the headlining and fit the covers. All I'm saying is make sure they're in place after the job's done.
Cheers
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Before Oilslurper raised this issue I thought that the VW system of conceiling the stuts was a brilliant idea, fuctuality without the intrusive strut assembly evident in most other vehicles, great design.
Has there been any other posts highlighting this problem?
Tony
Has there been any other posts highlighting this problem?
Tony
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I agree with the aesthetics of tucking them away - they are nicely hidden. But, from an engineering stand point, 3-4 hours (quoted by dealer) to change them; a joke!! Poor design here and not great if these struts are prone to fail.
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Treg now booked in for replacement struts via the VGA "Goodwill Assistance" program. I'm happy with that outome as it's $0 to me and I give postive comments to VGA for their willingness to support out of warranty claims via the local VW dealer.
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Treg in dealer this AM..now midday..........opps, they ordered the wrong struts. Doh! Monday a repeat for a 2nd go. Still happy - they paying!!
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I actually bought mine with dead glass struts...didn't check them. I have putting up with it because of the hours quoted for a repair. But, the other day I found hope right here on Club Touareg http://www.clubtouareg.com/forums/f73/rear-hatch-struts-died-part-numbers-45059.html
Looks pretty straightforward to me.
Looks pretty straightforward to me.
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Struts replaced. VGA picked up the full tab. So, VGA you get my "thank you". Customer goodwill - priceless!
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If the glass section fails to support when lifted, then the struts are cactus.
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