Rear Hatch strut replacement - 2008 Cayman S

Replacing my rear hatch struts only to find out that the original part number 987.552.551.03 has been replaced by 987.512.551.06 and the replacement struts are almost 2 inches longer than the original struts. They are both manufactured by Stabilus. The main body of the replacement strut is the same length as the original it's the upper portion that is longer. Taking one side off at a time the rear hatch does not open far enough to accommodate the longer replacement struts. They may fit if I remove both sides at the same time as the hatch probably lifts higher, but.......... My question or concern is will the longer struts cause an issue when closing the hatch? Anyone out there replace their original struts with the replacement number and had issues or all OK?

If the part numbers were replaced I'd like to think the fit was confirmed before said replacement. If it were my ride the first thing I'd do is contact the seller, confirm your concerns here and see what information you can glean from them, after all you can't be the first to notice. It makes sense that you cannot install the longer units one at a time straight away, however with some compression of the replacement it should be doable. Given the dissimilarity, a pair replacement while the hatch is otherwise suspended makes sense. What is crucial is the effects of the two inch extension. One method might be to open the current configuration to maximum and visually confirm there is enough play to accommodate the extra lift without contact of the hatch top with the surrounding edges.

I actually did contact seller and they confirmed the part number, but they were also puzzled by the difference in length. They actually sent me another pair to make sure it was not a manufacturer issue, they are the same length as the first pair I received. it is not possible to compress them by hand surprisingly. I am hoping someone has performed this replacement and can confirm fitment.

I bought knockoffs for both the front and rear of my 15 year old Boxster when I purchased it. I was surprised by how stiff they were in my hands and was concerned that they would be too much resistance. 5 seconds after installing them I realized just how much fulcrum leverage the lids have compared to my arms. They work perfectly and at $20 a pair? I'll just buy em every few years if they don't hold up. However, if they are too long to install without compressing them, I don't know how I would go about that. Seems strange to me Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

Just my thoughts but if they're too long and too stiff I'd secure the "un attached to the struts" hatch in the position that would allow for installing the new struts at maximum lift. This will validate that the hatch is fine at the max open position and should make compression strength moot. If possible I'd secure the open hatch from above rather than a tent pole as that way work on the struts cannot cause calamity.

Those are the same part numbers as the struts I bought from Amazon last year. Fit fine, no issues. You do need to open the hatch all the way to install.

So the rear hatch has a service position. After it opens on its own fully, you can manually push it up a couple of inches extra to get more room to work on the engine. Is it possible that the new struts you got are fully extended to the service position? With the old struts on, push the hatch up by hand as far as it will go, then compare the length to the new struts.

Here is the part number for the stronger struts. These will support the RS wing

Gubi is 100% correct, if you force the hatch up past it's normal open position it extends further and the new struts are the correct length. Thank you Gubi! No need for stiffer struts as I do not have a RS wing on mine. Thanks to all for your feedback and help!!

Also if you want to save 10lbs, there is a weight underneath the hatch surround. The heavier struts are just better struts tho and last way longer

My back struts still seem to be working fine, but I got tired of that front metal latch knocking me in the back of the head when I leaned into the frunk (or of "froot" for you British out there). $20 on Amazon and worth every penny, just like replacing windshield wipers every 5 years.