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Volkswagen Golf Mk7 Service & Repair Manual: Removing and installing gas strut

One gas strut alone cannot support an open rear lid on the Volkswagen Golf Mk7 — this page states that safety requirement directly before giving the removal procedure, which requires the lid to be independently supported and braced open first.

Removing
   
  Note
The rear lid must be supported when a gas strut is removed. One gas strut alone cannot support an open rear lid.

Removing and installing gas strut

–  Open rear lid and brace it open.
  WARNING
Proceed with care if gas strut is reused. Spring clip must not be levered completely out of ball socket as it will otherwise be damaged. Gas strut will spring out of mounting, causing damage or injury to operator.
–  Position a small screwdriver -3- beneath spring clips -2-.
–  Raise spring clips -2--arrows a- until spring clips can be moved over ball sockets.
–  Pull gas strut -1- off ball-head pins -4--arrows b-.
After removing gas strut, slide spring clips -2- back immediately.
–  When the gas strut is disposed, gas needs to be released from gas strut → Chapter.

 
Installing
   

Removing and installing gas strut

The spring clips -2- are pushed onto the ball sockets of the gas strut -1-.
–  Push ball sockets of gas strut -1- onto ball-head pins -4- until ball sockets engage audibly with the ball-head pins.
Specified torques
  • Ball-head pin → Chapter „Assembly overview - rear lid“

    Questions & answers

    Removing and installing gas strut — Volkswagen Golf Mk7

    How do I remove the Golf Mk7 rear lid gas strut?
    Support the rear lid securely (one strut alone cannot hold it), release the spring clips from the ball sockets at each end, and remove the strut.
    Can one Golf Mk7 tailgate gas strut support the rear lid?
    No. The manual warns that one strut alone cannot hold the tailgate open. Always support the lid before removing either strut.
    Removing and installing rear lid seal
    In the factory a sealant is applied to the rear lid seal, the seal is fitted to the body flange and then rolled on. Note When the seal is removed, the sealant on the inside of the seal will ...

    Releasing gas from gas strut
    –  Clamp gas strut in vice in area x = 50 mm.   WARNING Wear eye protection when sawing. ...