Engine hatch gas strut keeps popping off

Gunn

Gunn

Well-Known Member
TECHNICAL Contributor
Oct 4, 2006
2,335
Potomac River - MD
Boat Info
2003 280DA and 1995 Sea Ray 175
Engines
Twin 4.3l and 3.0l, all w/ AlphaI GenII drives
My engine hatch on my 2003 280 Sundancer has two gas cylinders/struts; one on each side. The starboard side strut has started to pop off its connection, at the forward location on the boat floor. The other end on the hatch has been fine. These struts are the original Ameritool brand that came on the boat.

Each time it pops off, it is because it has broken one of the 4 little tabs inside the plastic fitting on the end of the strut.

I purchased a pack of 10 new gas strut plastic screw-on ends (minimum quantity from their website). Thank goodness I did, as I have now broken 4 of them. Sometimes they will break on the way down. Other times, I will have it completely closed and then I will hear a bang as it lets loose.

And...I ended up buying a replacement strut from Ameritool. Same problem!

Any ideas? I figured it was worth a try posting here, if anyone else has had this issue. I'm thinking maybe the steel connection is no longer 100% compatible with these new plastic ends (the "ball" is too small?) and maybe try a new one. Or, a completely different brand of strut altogether.

Thanks,

Tom
 

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FYI, if anyone is interested, part numbers for the gas struts (and end fittings) on the 2003 280 Sundancer are below:

Ameritool 750-8 Gas Spring (part #750-8-120-A1A1, 120lb struts).
a) Spring Force Amount: 120
- b) Barrel Side End Fitting: EFC-10M Composite End Fitting -
- c) Rod Side End Fitting: EFC-10M Composite End Fitting -
- d) Oil Type: Standard Oil
- e) Barrel Finish: Standard Finsh
- f) Locking Mechanism/Guard Tube: None

Extended length: 20 inches
Compressed length: 12 inches

These have M6 threads on the ends and a 10mm ball socket end fitting.

These can be ordered from https://www.maxumhardware.com
 
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The balls do come in different sizes but it looks like you got the 10mm size, which would be correct.

If they keep popping off (assuming you're clipping them on fully, of course... had to say it, just in case!), make sure the ball mount is secure and not wobbling around. It would have to be pretty loose, though. Other than that, I think you've pretty much covered everything. Maybe the balls are slightly worn (although uncommon). Those ball mounts are only a few bucks each at a dealer.

Ameritool is a good company - I would also try contacting them directly to see if they can help.

Attwood makes some nice gas springs, too. Their 'hybrid' line is a nice compromise of SS and cost.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I too thought maybe I wasn't pressing hard enough when inserting the plastic cap to fully squeeze onto the ball. But then another one broke. :(

I just put an email into Ameritool...

Thanks again,

Tom
 
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These struts wear out. The strut for the wet bar in the cockpit of my 2004 Tiara wore out and pulled the ball out of the socket. I replaced the strut and not the end piece. It functioned like it did when new. I believe you need to replace both of the struts and may need to resecure the other fittings if they are compromised from the stress.
 
Gunn said:
Thanks for the suggestions. I too thought maybe I wasn't pressing hard enough when inserting the plastic cap to fully squeeze onto the ball. But then another one broke. :(

I just put an email into Ameritool...

Thanks again,

Tom
Click to expand...
I have had the same problem for the three years that I have owned my 280. This hatch seems to be quite heavy and I have broke a number of those plastic ends, always on the starboard side. I whish I had a power lift
 
Gord said:
I have had the same problem for the three years that I have owned my 280. This hatch seems to be quite heavy and I have broke a number of those plastic ends, always on the starboard side. I whish I had a power lift
Click to expand...

Mine is on the starboard side too! Port side is fine. I still haven't figured it out.

And yes, it IS quite heavy; I too have thought many times about figuring out a power lift system for it...
 
Ok guys I wanted to update and say I finally found something that works! Those plastic end fittings are just junk. And expensive to ship from Ameritool. There customer support is bad too.

So I went looking for a totally different gas strut setup. But then I found some steel end fittings from JR Products. They also use a spring wire to capture the ball, so very durable. They have the same M6 threads and 10mm ball socket as the OEM Ameritool struts. These fittings also have a lifetime warranty. JR Products part # EF-PS100-BP. Got 'em on Amazon for less than $15.

They worked great! I'm now going to order another pair for the other side, and hopefully won't have to worry about them breaking ever again.
 
That's too bad to hear about their customer support - that certainly hasn't been my experience in dealing with them. But, then, it has been a few years since I last dealt with them.

But, on the flip side - good deal on finding that replacement!
 
Gunn said:
FYI, if anyone is interested, part numbers for the gas struts (and end fittings) on the 2003 280 Sundancer are below:

Ameritool 750-8 Gas Spring (part #750-8-120-A1A1, 120lb struts).
a) Spring Force Amount: 120
Gunn said:
Ok guys I wanted to update and say I finally found something that works! Those plastic end fittings are just junk. And expensive to ship from Ameritool. There customer support is bad too.

So I went looking for a totally different gas strut setup. But then I found some steel end fittings from JR Products. They also use a spring wire to capture the ball, so very durable. They have the same M6 threads and 10mm ball socket as the OEM Ameritool struts. These fittings also have a lifetime warranty. JR Products part # EF-PS100-BP. Got 'em on Amazon for less than $15.

They worked great! I'm now going to order another pair for the other side, and hopefully won't have to worry about them breaking ever again.
Click to expand...

- b) Barrel Side End Fitting: EFC-10M Composite End Fitting -
- c) Rod Side End Fitting: EFC-10M Composite End Fitting -
- d) Oil Type: Standard Oil
- e) Barrel Finish: Standard Finsh
- f) Locking Mechanism/Guard Tube: None

Extended length: 20 inches
Compressed length: 12 inches

These have M6 threads on the ends and a 10mm ball socket end fitting.

These can be ordered from https://www.maxumhardware.com[/QUOTE
Click to expand...
 
I bought another set for the other side...they're working great!
 
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