Who makes decent gas struts?

[anonymous-user]

The rear tailgate on my VW Golf Mk6 stopped lifting properly and I want to get new struts but the choice is a bit bewildering:

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/spares-search?keyword=VW...

I'm looking for decent quality, but not at genuine VW parts prices (almost £67 for the pair).

I got a pair of nitrolifts around 2.5 years ago, but they started rusting and have stopped lifting properly now. The OE items that came with the car lasted 5 years, no rust at all, so anything that lasts like that is good with me.

Stabilus Lift-O-Mat come with a 5 year warranty. Anyone know if they make quality parts, or if they are a VW OEM (ie make parts for VW who just rebrand them)?

Many thanks in advance.

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 19th December 21:30

[LandieMark]

SGS Engineering.

https://www.sgs-engineering.com/car-boot-tailgate/...

[Draxindustries1]

Stabilus are okay and certainly fine for a part like tailgate struts.
Anscher are Euro car Parts own brand but these are good quality struts.
Only as example as the year is unknown, ECP part number 859440951

[anonymous-user]

LandieMark said:

SGS Engineering.

I got the Nitrolifts from their website. Definitely not impressed with how long they lasted. Very thoughtful though, from how they were packaged in the post, they even had a youtube video with fitting instructions! Obviously a professional outfit. If they lasted about 5 years like the OE struts, I would have ordered from them again.

[LandieMark]

Fair enough. I've never had an issue with them. Put a set on my Chimaera and they were going well after 9 years.

[mholt1995]

Stabilus are OE manufacturer for the bonnet and boot struts on many, many cars including all three of mine - P2 Volvo S60, E85 Z4, and 2006 L322 - and so will certainly stand up quality wise

[The Ors]

wyson said:

LandieMark said:

SGS Engineering.

I got the Nitrolifts from their website. Definitely not impressed with how long they lasted. Very thoughtful though, from how they were packaged in the post, they even had a youtube video with fitting instructions! Obviously a professional outfit. If they lasted about 5 years like the OE struts, I would have ordered from them again.

You must've lucked out. I bought a pair for my boat. They were on there for six years by the time I sold it. Salty air & they looked good as new. I guess SGS sell from different manufacturers though. I bought the GSV8-250 Adjustable Force Gas Strut.

[mikef]

I’ve used https://www.gasspringsshop.co.uk

Make sure you know the exact spec (length, stroke and force) when you order, or OEM part number

[thebraketester]

SGS garbage.

Anscher garbage.

Stabilus. The only aftermarket ones I have used that open exactly like OEM ones.

[CraigyMc]

The Ors said:

wyson said:

LandieMark said:

SGS Engineering.

I got the Nitrolifts from their website. Definitely not impressed with how long they lasted. Very thoughtful though, from how they were packaged in the post, they even had a youtube video with fitting instructions! Obviously a professional outfit. If they lasted about 5 years like the OE struts, I would have ordered from them again.

You must've lucked out. I bought a pair for my boat. They were on there for six years by the time I sold it. Salty air & they looked good as new. I guess SGS sell from different manufacturers though. I bought the GSV8-250 Adjustable Force Gas Strut.

I've a car jack from SGS. Can't recommend.

[lemonslap]

Just go OEM.

I had an ordeal with SGS with some of their struts years ago, they started rusting within 4 weeks of fitting. They then accused me of fitting them incorrectly as the cause as they weren’t suitable to sit externally….

[anonymous-user]

I got struts from Febi Bilstein who (unknown to me) repackage Stabilus Lift-O-Mat's, with 2 years less warranty.

The Nitrolifts got a second wind and started working properly again once the weather warmed up, but I figured they were on their way out and replaced them anyway.

One thing I have noticed, having tried 3 sets of struts is they are all tuned differently.
The Nitrolifts were a bit slower than OE, and you'd have to give the boot a push to close it shut or it would stay suspended.
The Stabilus Lift-O-Mats are much quicker and don't have much support at the bottom of their travel, so the boot often slams shut.
The OE items the car came fitted with had the best balance of support and speed. I never thought they were slow, and they never allowed the boot to slam shut.

I guess even with struts, there are variables that manufacturers fine tune.

Will just have to be careful now, closing the boot. I just hope they last.

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 28th December 16:22

[bobski1]

wyson said:

LandieMark said:

SGS Engineering.

I got the Nitrolifts from their website. Definitely not impressed with how long they lasted. Very thoughtful though, from how they were packaged in the post, they even had a youtube video with fitting instructions! Obviously a professional outfit. If they lasted about 5 years like the OE struts, I would have ordered from them again.

I put some on my tailgate and they didn't seem very good either. Started to rust after a few months. Sticking with them until they completely fail. Wouldn't buy again.