Lutz

There is only one working solution, open them and repair them to last long time. I have made video about repair process: There is no way to maintain struts, without opening them.

I have made many years ago video of tow bar installation process. Here you can get ideas.

In my video you can see OEM part number of the camera, 56D827566A. Quick search from the Aliexpress: https://a.aliexpress.com/_mOhbTAG

I heated this tube quite a while, almost in the point as tube started to melt or burn, but still I quit before making any damage to the plastic. Turn tube upside down is very good plan, as both sides should be identical. I had quite powerful heat gun (not hair dryer) and therefore it took max 3-4 minutes. Whit rusty springs boot operates once in a while and very many users have underlined potential issue with hall sensor or strut wire connection. Still most of the time the main reason is failing springs, so this repair should be made as preventative measure to extend the life of the strut. Once you have made new spring and properly sealed all this, should be lifelong solution.

Good to hear, if it is helpful. I strongly suggest to repair both of them, as they will anyways fail sooner than later.

VAG group panoramic roof is pain in the *ss in many ways. Jammed draining tubes, factory glued adhesive results heavy water leakage etc. In your case I assume that gear which operates roof window is cracked and there is no other solution than new frame (1-2000€) or as my friend did, just glued glass to frame with adhesive enternally, meaning there is no operation any more, just glass roof. Removing panoramic roof fuse when temperature will get below 1-2 degrees Celsius should be mandatory for each car owner in order to save a bit life of this stupid piece of engineering.

Or repair them as I did (for less than 150-200SEK).

I had similar job done recently, 1.6TDI with DSG, but non-4x4. 2.0 should be in the same range. Labour was 200€, but in addition to flywheel change this cost contained also EGR and thermostat change. LUK flywheel was 325€. So as you see, it depends on region and country where you are located. I’m from Estonia.

If you are considering upgrading your mirror to auto dim, then I suggest to go even beyond and install mirror from Golf 6 with High Beam Assist camera (5K0857511B), which I did. I have recorded whole installation process:

5 speed pre-FL Superb 2 has single mass flywheel 6-speed FL Superb 2 has dual-mass flywheel This applies ONLY 1.6 TDI Greenline models!

Very good to hear that this is video is helpful. After more than 3 years these rebuild electric struts work like new ones.

I have commented about this in similar topic: I’m daily driving with Superb II Greenline with 105hp 1.6TDI engine and with 5 speed manual transmission. In my opinion this is the best car ever: - reasonably slow, gives you a smooth ride - fuel efficency is very good with that size of the car - NO dual-mass flywheel - very low maintanance cost - unique passenger side dimming mirror - lots of space front, back and in trunk - accesories retrofitable from Passat B7 (HBA etc) There is no similar car with that fuel consumtion, space, simplicity and features like Superb II Greenline. Biggest issues with this motor is pre-facelift injectors, which can fail. If you want to understand how good is VAG 1.6TDI CAYC engine, then look this video (with subtitles):

I’ll write from a bit different angle. I’m daily driving with Superb II Greenline with 105hp 1.6TDI engine and with 5 speed manual transmission. In my opinion this is the best car ever: - reasonably slow, gives you a smooth ride - fuel efficency is very good with that size of the car - NO dual-mass flywheel - very low maintanance cost - unique passenger side dimming mirror - lots of space front, back and in trunk - accesories retrofitable from Passat B7 (HBA etc) There is no similar car with that fuel consumtion, space, simplicity and features like Superb II Greenline.

Or take your hands from your pocket and start repairing them, as I did (for less than £15).

This is very common issue with Super II electric tailgate struts, as electric motor brush springs will be rusty and broke. Please see my tutorial how to fix electric struts with similar problem:

Here you go:

Please look my video tutorial from DIY’s section on how to repair electric struts and you’ll get answer to your question (hint: rusty electric motor brushes).

@Patrician, I have made DIY tutorial on how to repair electric struts. Even if your struts are working well at the moment, then it’s wise to maintain/repair them as I did and you don’t have to deal with this issue never again.

You can also use my method - open struts and repair them, then you don’t have to deal with this issue ever again.

@StuH78, can please describe in more detail what you actually did with your panoramic roof in spring last year? I mean did you removed panoramic roof entirely from the car and opened/cleaned joints with new sealant or butyl tape? Or did you added glue, when panoramic roof was attached to the car? My Captain Tollys Cure fix still works, but I´m preparing myself to tear down.

@richard999, and if you have any question regarding the DIY process, then let me know.

Step by step tutorial how to repair broken Skoda Superb II (may also apply to Octavia II) electric tailgate lift strut. Most common reason for faulty struts are moisture damage in electric motor and rusty brush springs. In this video you can see how to open electric motor, clean rust, fabricate new springs and glue all back together. I have videotaped whole process and you can see it in here:

I finally manage to compose tutorial on how to repair Skoda Superb II electric tailgate struts. In this video you can find how to open electric motor, clean all rust, fabricate new springs and glue all back together.

I say once again, if you have place (garage, workbench etc) and basic home tools, then you can repair your broken electric strut by yourself. Once you have done it, then most likely they will not fail anymore. I have repaired three of them so far and they work very well. I planned to make “How to” video tutorial for my Youtube channel, but in lockdown and full-time home with small kids I haven’t had time to compress it to the normal size. Here you can find raw video footages on how to repair it by yourself. If I have compressed version, then I add proper Youtube link. Link to the videos: https://1drv.ms/u/s!ArqD60L2Xvsykm6rJxxGXR4XU6HQ?e=PbUyCt

Most of the electric tailgate problems are caused by electric struts, meaning water and moisture will damage electric motor brushes springs and they get rusty and brake. This repair is totally doable at your garage as DIY. Electric strut cost is insanely high - 400€ per piece and therefore it´s worth of effort to fix them. Also there is no need for any coding, when you are changing electric strut from some other car - just plug and play.