Superb Electric Tailgate Struts

[StephenFoster]

Since mine failed, I'm getting fed up with lifting and closing the tailgate. Has anyone tried the pattern parts advertised on ebay at £249.99 a pair? And as they are available singly do they both need replacing? At approx £350 + VAT each for Skoda parts plus fitting, I was put off replacing them, but at £250 the pair plus fitting by my local garage, I'm tempted to try the pattern parts. 

[SashaGrace]

I would go used genuine from eBay before pattern parts myself. Plenty of cheap used options from breaker cars.

[StephenFoster]

Thanks Sasha, delving even deeper, I have found ones made by Stabilus https://www.stabilus.com/products/electric-motor-drives for approx £260 inc VAT with 2 years warranty. Researching their website, I wouldn't be surprised if they produce OEM

units for car manufacturers. it says Daimler and VW are customers. PS: Love the colour of your Superb.

[Nick_H]

14 hours ago, StephenFoster said:

Since mine failed, I'm getting fed up with lifting and closing the tailgate. Has anyone tried the pattern parts advertised on ebay at £249.99 a pair? And as they are available singly do they both need replacing? At approx £350 + VAT each for Skoda parts plus fitting, I was put off replacing them, but at £250 the pair plus fitting by my local garage, I'm tempted to try the pattern parts. 

 

Hi what were the symptoms leading upto the failure ?

[StephenFoster]

9 minutes ago, Nick_H said:

 

Hi what were the symptoms leading upto the failure ?

Sometimes would open but not close. Sometimes open part way. Finally when opened it only rises about 6 inches (excuse the pun). A VW specialist and local garage have diagnosed faulty struts. Am looking at Stabilus https://www.stabilus.com/products/electric-motor-drives. They supply Daimler and VW. £260 inc VAT per pair 2 year warranty. I think I will give them a try.

[Nick_H]

7 minutes ago, StephenFoster said:

Sometimes would open but not close. Sometimes open part way. Finally when opened it only rises about 6 inches (excuse the pun). A VW specialist and local garage have diagnosed faulty struts. Am looking at Stabilus https://www.stabilus.com/products/electric-motor-drives. They supply Daimler and VW. £260 inc VAT per pair 2 year warranty. I think I will give them a try.

 

Thanks Stephen very interesting thread please keep us posted. How old is your car ?

[StephenFoster]

Just now, Nick_H said:

 

Thanks Stephen very interesting thread please keep us posted. How old is your car ?

March 2015. Started failing about 18 months ago. Was put off by the £350 + VAT plus fitting. I wouldn't be surprised if Stabilus are OEM part manufacturers for many car makers.

[Nick_H]

12 minutes ago, StephenFoster said:

March 2015. Started failing about 18 months ago. Was put off by the £350 + VAT plus fitting. I wouldn't be surprised if Stabilus are OEM part manufacturers for many car makers.

 

Mines October 2015 .... All looks OK so far fingers crossed !! I still have warranty but I doubt the struts are covered...

[StephenFoster]

5 hours ago, Nick_H said:

 

Mines October 2015 .... All looks OK so far fingers crossed !! I still have warranty but I doubt the struts are covered...

Yours is probably a Mk111. Different struts, it would appear.

[Nick_H]

24 minutes ago, StephenFoster said:

Yours is probably a Mk111. Different struts, it would appear.

 

Ahh.... You're in the wrong forum lol ! Mods !  

[StephenFoster]

On 02/03/2021 at 19:20, StephenFoster said:

Since mine failed, I'm getting fed up with lifting and closing the tailgate. Has anyone tried the pattern parts advertised on ebay at £249.99 a pair? And as they are available singly do they both need replacing? At approx £350 + VAT each for Skoda parts plus fitting, I was put off replacing them, but at £250 the pair plus fitting by my local garage, I'm tempted to try the pattern parts. 

I finally bit the bullet. Bought a pair of "pattern" struts on ebay for £275 the pair inc VAT and postage, with a years warranty. Installation was a piece of cake. No special tools required. The only heart in mouth moment is pulling the "D" Pillar trims off. Well the first one anyway. Bought 10 new clips off ebay for £5 in case I lost or broke any. All working fine again. No recoding or anything needed. We shall see how long they last. PS: Though I say "Pattern" parts, the electrical connectors have VW Audi on them, exactly the same as the originals. Amazing coincidence. 

If you are thinking of doing the same, I will be happy to share what I learned in the process.

[tuningmania]

To @StephenFoster - Please, share the link from www . ebay . com..

[StuH78]

Mine are 2010.  About six months a go the left hand side one packed up completely.  Before spending a wedge I decided to have a play.  I took them off, hung them upside down (a surprising amount of water came out) and left them to dry.  I sprayed a very liberal amount of contact cleaner down into the strut and refitted.  Worked perfectly and touch wood been faultless since.  I had a feeling water ingress was the reason for failure.

[StephenFoster]

Glad it worked for you. There was no water in mine and am intrigued to know where it can get in. As I have said, I got fed up with opening the hatch manually against the spiral drives, and was happy to risk the Pattern parts being duff. I have carefully kept the invoice, for the apparent 12 mths Warranty and I will post when they fail. PS: Miss my 3.6 4 x4 Elegance Estate. Waited ages for it to be delivered, then a young driver ran into it and wrote it off at 5 years old. 

[StephenFoster]

22 hours ago, tuningmania said:

To @StephenFoster - Please, share the link from www . ebay . com..

I have messaged you.

[StuH78]

Sorry, mines the estate I forget the saloon is actually a hatch.

[tuningmania]

To @StephenFoster - I have no massage :(

[TomTei]

 

On 22/03/2021 at 15:35, StephenFoster said:

I have messaged you.

 

Could you please send me the link as well? Im currently having the same issues with mine and I cant seem to find a reasonable supplier.