Tailgate Struts

April 27, 2020, 09:49:09 PM

Thanks to Eddypeck for his time and effort.

The standard tailgate struts, if original to the car will be getting on a bit now and you may find your tailgate doesn't lift all the way up, or drops down after a while. For anyone over about 5ft tall you'll have no doubt banged your head a few times. But don't fear there is a solution, either replace with new to the original spec or add some upgraded alternatives from another vehicle.

Below is the standard specs:

Mk2 Golf Original tailgate strut VW Part number 191 827 550 B

length: 500 mm
colour: black
housing diameter: 18 mm
Piston rod diameter: 8 mm
exhaust phase: 270 Newton
lifting length: 200 mm

The following are suitable upgrades, they will lift the tailgate slightly higher and will lift with more force, handy if you have a heavy speaker loaded parcel shelf or aftermarket spoiler. Note the Newton value to compare how much addition force is applied.

Mk3 Golf VW Part number 1H6 827 550 A
length: 500 mm
colour: black
housing diameter: 18 mm
Piston rod diameter: 8 mm
exhaust phase: 350 Newton
lifting length: 205 mm

Mk4 Golf VW Part number 1J6 827 550 E
length: 500 mm
colour: black
housing diameter: 18 mm
Piston rod diameter: 8 mm
exhaust phase: 500 Newton
lifting length: 205 mm

VW Polo 4 (9N2) 2001- [BONNET LIFTER] VW Part number 6Q0 823 359 C
length: 500 mm
colour: black
housing diameter: 20 mm
Piston rod diameter: 8 mm
exhaust phase: 310 Newton
lifting length: 205 mm

VW Polo 4 (9N2) 2001- VW Part number 6Q6 827 550
length: 500 mm
housing diameter: 18 mm
Piston rod diameter: 8 mm
exhaust phase: 380 Newton
lifting length: 205 mm

Lupo > 2005 VW Part number 6E0 823 359 C
ength: 500 mm
housing diameter: 18 mm
Piston rod diameter: 8 mm
exhaust phase: 280 Newton
lifting length: 205 mm

Lupo > 2005 (alternative) VW Part number 8L0 823 359
ength: 500 mm
housing diameter: 18 mm
Piston rod diameter: 8 mm
exhaust phase: 320 Newton
lifting length: 205 mm

There are other VAG models that may be useful but they seem to vary quite a lot across models so it's harder to confirm a good match from a specific car without listing specific part numbers, with so many choices above it's better to stick to on of those listed.

Mk3 Golf is probably the most suitable, with Mk4 being the choice if your tailgate needs to lift additional weight or if using a remote popper.

Re: Tailgate Struts

Reply #1 – October 29, 2022, 03:02:42 PM

Lupo <= 2002 VW Part number 6E0 827 550 B
Other number: 6543NP 0365N 288/01 CK 14
Length: 500 mm ?
Color: silver
Housing diameter: 18 mm ?
Piston rod diameter: 8 mm ?
Exhaust phase: 365 Newton
Lifting length: 205 mm ?

They have a smooth phase out, like probably the MK4 ones,
with which one can let the tailgate go up by itself.

Edit: New findings.