I just replaced the hatch struts on my '85 300TD. All the previous threads helped greatly.

The old struts (Stabilus) would fail to work when cold. They were at least 9 years old.

The new struts (Vaico) hold fine.

However, they do not extend as high as the old ones. So, the hatch seems lower when fully extended. Maybe they need to wear in?

Anyone else experience this?

__________________
JWJ
1983 MB 300D - > 430,000 miles - Deep Blue - Bilstein Comforts - 0-60 in 24 seconds - 27MPG
1985 MB 300TD (wagon) - > 275,000 miles - Manila Beige - Thule rack - 0-60 in 18 seconds - 22 - 25MPG
Biodiesel, Mobil Delvac 1, and Viton fuel lines!

Did you measure the old ones versus the new ones, both closed and extended?

If the extended length is shorter, the hatch would sit a bit lower when fully opened, due to the internal stops of the struts.

__________________
RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

Same issue on my wagon. The old ones were so shot that they extended farther. When compared to the new ones, the old were about 1-1.5cm longer. Take into the consideration the geometry of the gate and that could be several inches difference when opened.

__________________
'85 300TD "Puff The Magic Wagon" - Rolling Resto
'19 Mazda CX-9 Signature - Wife's sled
'21 Morgan 3-Wheeler P101 Edition
'95 E300d - SOLD
'84 300TD "Brown Betty" - Miss this one
'81 240D "China Baby" - Farm grocery getter