[jeffnhiscars]

100% agreed. Turns out my hydraulics were not leaking but that stain was from the sealant used on the plastic panel covering the strut compartment. it seems to have liquified over time and oozed. Strange but better than a hydraulic issue.

I used Stabilis struts which are also OEM. Haven't had it in the cold but I do see an improvement

 

[casioqv]

I didn't notice the stain on your pillar in the photo when I wrote my previous message, but it does seem like the compartment for the servo is pretty well sealed up on the inside from the factory, and would most likely leak out the back of the tailgate down the gutter, rather than into the car interior.

 

[jeffnhiscars]

I didn't notice the stain on your pillar in the photo when I wrote my previous message, but it does seem like the compartment for the servo is pretty well sealed up on the inside from the factory, and would most likely leak out the back of the tailgate down the gutter, rather than into the car interior.

it's that very sealant that oozed out. It went all the around the plastic cover piece so was pretty clearly a bead at some point. No idea what it is but I've never seen a sealant liquify like that. Either way it wasn't hydraulic and that's a win.

 

[qurtuba]

Just did this last weekend in my '09 with powered tailgate. It would open by itself some of the time, most often if it was warm out and/or I was parked facing downhill. After replacing the 3 gas struts (right side, 2x window), it works reliably and flawlessly.

I would say that most likely if the system doesn't leak hydraulic fluid, and has some visible attempt to self lift that completes if you give it a little help, most likely the hydraulics are 100% okay and it's just the cheaply replaceable gas lift struts.

There are some really low priced options out there, but given the amount of labor involved I wouldn't consider doing anything other than OEM or SACHS parts, which will reliably last a decade or more.

That is so reassuring to know. I guess I will tackle this job as soon as possible. So to be sure: the liftgate strut that needs replacing is the same part as in the non-powered liftgates, right?

I've seen enough YouTube videos on how it's done and it looks a bit challenging, especially the challenge of not breaking any plastic clips.

 

[jeffnhiscars]

That is so reassuring to know. I guess I will tackle this job as soon as possible. So to be sure: the liftgate strut that needs replacing is the same part as in the non-powered liftgates, right?

I've seen enough YouTube videos on how it's done and it looks a bit challenging, especially the challenge of not breaking any plastic clips.

as I recall, the listings were specific to "w power lift gate" and without. Since they are physically identical I suspect there is a difference in the pressure rating of each. For my 09 w the power gate the original strut was rated at 550N. PN was 7L6 827 550N

 

[casioqv]

I am confused about this also, but I suspect they would have to be different, as the power liftgate one would need to have nearly twice the force to avoid overstressing the hydraulic servo.

 

[jeffnhiscars]

Unless the hydraulic servo is designed to carry a load equivalent to the non power strut

 

[qurtuba]

Unless the hydraulic servo is designed to carry a load equivalent to the non power strut

By the way, did you happen to notice the part no. of the original strut that you replaced? This would be helpful.

 

[jeffnhiscars]

By the way, did you happen to notice the part no. of the original strut that you replaced? This would be helpful.

that's the number I quoted above.

 

[jeffnhiscars]

In an effort to clear this up, here is the listing for the replacement part I bought from fcp. It was sold using the same original PN and if you look at the fitment range it shows that it would be the same strut for the power , non power or spare tire attached versions.

keep in mind has struts rarely "blow out" but rather gradually lose pressure over time until they reach the point is being inadequate to do the job for hitch they were designed. Given that the same strut is speced for power and non power gates its safe to conclude that the hydraulic piston provides power equivalent to one strut and that as long as the right side strut has just enough pressure, the gate will work fine. When it gets sluggish or sticks in the cold, it's telling you it's time to replace the right side strut.

 

[qurtuba]

Thanks for the clarification.

Interesting that fcp sells the stabilus, which no doubt is as good as the genuine part, for about the same price as the actual genuine part. I guess the advantage with fcp is their lifetime replacement warranty. Not that this particular repair is something that anyone would gladly attempt twice in a lifetime.

 

[jeffnhiscars]

Thanks for the clarification.

Interesting that fcp sells the stabilus, which no doubt is as good as the genuine part, for about the same price as the actual genuine part. I guess the advantage with fcp is their lifetime replacement warranty. Not that this particular repair is something that anyone would gladly attempt twice in a lifetime.

View attachment 255979

Stabilus IS the OE supplier plus the dealers I've bought parts from will charge shipping

 

[casioqv]

Just did this last weekend in my '09 with powered tailgate. It would open by itself some of the time, most often if it was warm out and/or I was parked facing downhill. After replacing the 3 gas struts (right side, 2x window), it works reliably and flawlessly.

I would say that most likely if the system doesn't leak hydraulic fluid, and has some visible attempt to self lift that completes if you give it a little help, most likely the hydraulics are 100% okay and it's just the cheaply replaceable gas lift struts.

There are some really low priced options out there, but given the amount of labor involved I wouldn't consider doing anything other than OEM or SACHS parts, which will reliably last a decade or more.

I wanted to add a correction to my post... while my liftgate has worked 99/100 times, it did fail to open automatically once with the new struts when parked facing downhill in below freezing weather. I am curious if perhaps this was unusual enough conditions that it would have failed even on a new Touareg, or if there is still some issue with the hydraulics, etc.

Does anyone know how the liftgate pump detects that it's stuck and gives up? Perhaps there is a pressure sensor, or a current meter on the pump itself... if so might there be a VCDS setting to raise the force threshold slightly?

 

[jeffnhiscars]

There's no way to adjust the pressure via VCDS. What I think happened before I rented the gas struts is that the gate would try to open then set back down and trip the micro switch that grabs it and pulls it shut. I haven't tested in th
e cold since the swap but since it's the hydraulic motor that provides the oomph it's a certainty that the cold would make its job harder. while,it's possible that a new pump wouldn't have this problem I wouldn't bet $1300 on it.

if th problem returns I'll just open it from outside and give it a helping hand...not to overlook that fluid gets thicker at lower temps which has to reduce power