Linear Actuator Adjustment

[jrirvine1]

My port side engine hatch actuator will not completely close. The hatch remains raised about 3/8”, while the starboard side closes tight. I have cleaned the lip on the hatch and deck where it closes thinking it was binding, but to no avail. My guess is that there may be some air in the system preventing the ram from fully closing. Does anyone know if it is possible to either bleed or adjust these devises in some way? The only opening I see is the grease fitting on the bottom, which I keep full.

 

[Skip]

Jim, when I installed two new linear actuators thsi spring, I had to disconnect power from one, disconnect it from the hatch, extend it approximately 1/4 inch, then reconnect it to the hatch to get them level. This is a really tough maintenance task by yourself. Better to get a pal to hold the hatch up while you re-connect the ram. Once you get it level, if the ram will still not close all the way, it may be time for a new one. Are you getting any grinding noise when it retracts?

Skip

 

[Sorrento 25]

I have no idea if this applies to the linear actuators on your boats, but the ones I deal with at work have threaded shafts. They adjust in length when you disconnect one end and turn the shaft.

 

[jrirvine1]

Skip, no grinding noise and the actuator seems to work fine except it will not close the hatch last little bit. In other words the ram is fully retracted, but the hatch is up slightly. If there is no adjustment in the ram, perhaps adjusting the mounting bracket(s) would work.

The shafts do not appear to be threaded unless they are inside of the cylinder.

 

[Skip]

Jim,
When I was considering trying to get my rams rebuilt I contacted the manufacturer. They sent me an exploded diagram of the actuator. I will hunt around and see if I can find it. There may be a way to adjust the ram, I am just unaware of how to do it. There is no adjustment on the upper (er hatch) or lower (stringer) mounts on my boat..
If I can find the diagram I will e-mail it to you, along with the contact info for the technician who helped me out.

regards
Skip

 

[Four Suns]

Can't you just jump up and down on it until it closes?

 

[jrirvine]

Thanks Skip.

I may have to resort to my "go to" fix. They sometimes call me Jim the shim, because I insist a well placed shim can fix a lot of little problems maybe even better than duct tape!

 

[vetteboy]

Did it ever close properly ?

 

[Sorrento 25]

The shafts are not visibly threaded on the ones I am familiar with. The threaded portion is at the end of the shaft within the unit's housing.

 

[fc3]

My port side engine hatch actuator will not completely close. The hatch remains raised about 3/8”, while the starboard side closes tight. I have cleaned the lip on the hatch and deck where it closes thinking it was binding, but to no avail. My guess is that there may be some air in the system preventing the ram from fully closing. Does anyone know if it is possible to either bleed or adjust these devises in some way? The only opening I see is the grease fitting on the bottom, which I keep full.

Hi Jim

Might be too full. The excess grease, which is not compressible, prevents the ram from retracting. You might need to remove some of that extra grease. Run it fully extended, remove the grease fitting zerk, wrap the area with a rag, and lower the ram fully. Repeat, then reinstall the zerk.

Best regards,
Frank C