Whitecap Gas Shocks for lid lifting... how to adjust?

[mancho]

I got my mechanic to pop on some Whitecap Shocks (they are thin black shocks like you would see on a car trunk or something).

However, my second attempt with them caused me to bend one and break off my hinge on the other side. These things are TIGHT. How do you loosen them?

I tried turning the rod to see if it would loosen it's pressure, like a shower curtain rod, but that didn't work.

While I'm glad I didn't pay too much, it's obvious I need something with MUCH LESS compression and a bit lighter touch to the lid it's assisting on lifting and keeping in the air.

I want to put them back on, but not at the expense of me having to put a TON of weight on the motor lid to collapse them.

Thanks for any insight!

 

[JoLin]

Re: Whitecap Gas Shocks for lid lifting... how to adjust?

Did you google them? Like the Attwood spring lifts I installed on my last boat, they aren't adjustable. They come in different ratings, i.e.; the number of pounds of lift they provide. Given the fact that you bent one and snapped the support on the other, I suspect your mechanic installed them incorrectly and they bind. The set he installed COULD be too powerful for the load, but in that case the worst that would happen is that the lid won't stay closed. They should still open and close without bending or breaking.

I mounted a 100 lb. spring lift on my Chris*Craft to replace the electric lift for the engine hatch. Worked like a charm.

My .02

 

[mancho]

Re: Whitecap Gas Shocks for lid lifting... how to adjust?

Yes I googled them but didn't come across much. Perhaps I just need a much lesser shock. LIke instead of 100lbs of force, more like 30. Right now, the PVC pole I use for the cover tent works fine to hold the lid up... but the lid isn't terribly heavy. It's big alright, but I have no idea how on earth he got it down after he put it on.

 

[seabob4]

Re: Whitecap Gas Shocks for lid lifting... how to adjust?

What JoLin said. They come in various ratings, from 10lbs on up to 100lbs. What would be ideal is to try each rating out until you found the one that worked for your hatch...

 

[mancho]

Re: Whitecap Gas Shocks for lid lifting... how to adjust?

Yes I will.. Any resources either of you recommend for this? One I can continually return and get full credit.?

thank you!