- Oct 4, 2006
- 2,335
- 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
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