I have a 307 Freedom and approximately 3 lids have gas shocks that have broken and I have removed over time, saying... "I'll get to that later". Well, it's now later, and I began my search, but found quite a variety of options on the shocks. Length, weight, etc. Can anyone provide some general guidance on how to decide the length and weight needs for buying the replacements? The base is still there, so it should be just an install type of job (I think). The lids are generally in the aft... livewell lid, etc.
Replacing gas shocks. Help requested...
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Mustang65fbk
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I'm not sure what year your boat is but here's the parts manual for the model year 2012 and includes a 307 Freedom, of which the "Gas Spring Guide" on page 264 should point you in the right direction in regards to which shocks you need and their respective part numbers. Per a quick Google search, it looks like the company is called Ameritool? I thought they were Taylor Made shocks, but it appears that isn't correct. A quick call up to Ameritool could confirm or deny that, as well as you might need to call them anyway as I don't see a 10-0241 shock anywhere on their website, though it's listed in the parts manual. I'm guessing it's probably an old part number or something similar. Good luck either way.
The ameritool shocks are great because the clasps (that grab onto the ball mounts) are all stainless steel and last longer than the plastic clasps on the taylor made shocks. Taylor Made works just fine if you can't find the Ameritool ones in the correct length/strength. Don't skimp on the strength if you don't find what's called for I did and re-replaced them the next week. Nothing more frustrating than a livewell or fishbox lid that won't stay open when you're trying to use it. I found limited availability online for the Ameritool shocks I needed but my local Grady dealer was able to get them for me on my 2008 232 GS.
Wow. This parts guide is a gold mine! And mine is a 2011 307, so I would think this is close match, and at least a guide on weights and parts numbers. Thank you!
Mustang65fbk
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If I were a betting man I'd likely put some money down on the fact that they're the same... but that's just me. Hopefully it works out for you and let us know what you decide on going with.
Fishtales
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Hatch gas struts
Last season the strut on my livewell lid fell off. One of the ball mounts broke off. I left the strut laying aroung in the livewell (we use it a a clean ice/beverage cooler). "I was gonna" get around to ordering a new ball end/mount...someday... One day my brother was digging for a beer and got...
www.greatgrady.com
another thread just down in the forum on this as well.
Fishtales
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Good info to have for sure when talking to GW. The key is to get the manufacturers part number so you can go direct. GW markup is crazy and there are a lot of custom parts that you can only get from GW.
Sardinia306Canyon
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The gas shock for the livewell lid just died today, written on it is:
Ameritool MGF# 315\668\2172
GW 10-0191/30
I found on Ebay the same as shown on the product photo, but different number 625-2-50# - A1A1
https://www.ebay.com/itm/223670625143
Unfortunately the 625-2-50 on Ameritool website is shorter than the one i have
https://www.ameritoolmfg.com/product/fixed-force-gas-spring-625-2/
As i would need to have it shipped from US to Italy i should be sure that's the right one.
Anyone know if this is the right one, or the oroduct photo on the Ebay site is wrong?
Chris
Ameritool MGF# 315\668\2172
GW 10-0191/30
I found on Ebay the same as shown on the product photo, but different number 625-2-50# - A1A1
https://www.ebay.com/itm/223670625143
Unfortunately the 625-2-50 on Ameritool website is shorter than the one i have
https://www.ameritoolmfg.com/product/fixed-force-gas-spring-625-2/
As i would need to have it shipped from US to Italy i should be sure that's the right one.
Anyone know if this is the right one, or the oroduct photo on the Ebay site is wrong?
Chris
Chris, you might be best served to reach out (either phone or email) to Ameritool directly. Might as well go right to the source. Tell them what you have and they can tell you if it's still an active part number or what the replacement is. They may even be able to give you a retailer in your area.
I would imagine you have sources for gas springs in Italy, though? Ultimately, you just need the ball size (probably 10mm), rated pounds and the closed/extended length.
I would imagine you have sources for gas springs in Italy, though? Ultimately, you just need the ball size (probably 10mm), rated pounds and the closed/extended length.
Chris, Here is a link to the products of Ameritool. Grady White has Ameritool put a different number on the body of the gas shocks to try and trap their customers into buying through them. The cylinders are standard Ameritool parts, you just have to figure out the compressed length, extended length and amount of force desired. I replaced several hatch shocks and I found it is better to go with a little more force than stock because they begin to weaken with age. The more pwerful ones will do the job longer.
https://www.ameritoolmfg.com/produc...prings/400-625-700-750-series-bracket/page/3/
https://www.ameritoolmfg.com/product-category/fixed-force-gas-springs/625-series-gas-springs/
Sardinia306Canyon
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Thanks Dennis, i will try to send them (or Maxum) a Email and hopefully they answer, calling them is a bit expensive from here.
Yes i replaced a lot of similar looking SS gas springs here available on my and clients boats, but their shortest ones is still a bit too long, but i could move one bracket and i have the impression that the US ball size is bigger than the one we use here so i would need to change the brackets too and the least i want is to drill new holes. I will ask GW Importer for a quote, but i fear it would be crazy expensive.
Thanks HalfHitch
I checked their size and the 625-3 seems to be the correct one, i just need to figure out the force.
Chris
If you wanted to get fancy, you could go with one of their adjustable force models. Probably a bit more expensive though.
Sardinia306Canyon
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Yep, good idea too, but no need to get fany, i just would like to have it OEM and that it works.
Or i just use this kind of bendable springs to keep the lid open and some silicone bumpers to avoid slamming if the lid falls down.
Chris
Yes, the springs work well for many hatch lids. Not good if small children are on the boat though. That may not affect your case.
Chris, if you don't have any luck with email, let me know - I'd be glad to make a quick call for you. It sounds like you work in the boat business like I do - it's an easy call for me to make.
Sardinia306Canyon
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Oh thanks a lot Dennis, that would be great if needed.
I already wrote them a message thru their web contact form and will see if they answer, if not it would be great if you call them.
I did also a more detailed search and found a german company who makes gas springs and may have/can make them, all others i found do not fit as too long.
I worked from 1996 in the boat business when i moved from Zurich to Sardinia but started sailing when i was 8.
working in my friends small shipyard for almost 10 years, mostly rigging new small boats and most RIB's, repairs or overhauls
fishing charter here in Sardinia and in Costa Rica
2 scuba dive operations, one here in Sardinia and one in Costa Rica
2007 -2020 6 months Sardinia and 6 months in Costa Rica, that worked perfectly as when its late autumn in Sardinia then summer start in Costa Rica.
After the pandemic i anticipated my retirement, sold all businesses and properties and start again to concentrate on my farm in Sardinia and spend more time with my elderly parents in Zurich.
Chris
I already wrote them a message thru their web contact form and will see if they answer, if not it would be great if you call them.
I did also a more detailed search and found a german company who makes gas springs and may have/can make them, all others i found do not fit as too long.
I worked from 1996 in the boat business when i moved from Zurich to Sardinia but started sailing when i was 8.
working in my friends small shipyard for almost 10 years, mostly rigging new small boats and most RIB's, repairs or overhauls
fishing charter here in Sardinia and in Costa Rica
2 scuba dive operations, one here in Sardinia and one in Costa Rica
2007 -2020 6 months Sardinia and 6 months in Costa Rica, that worked perfectly as when its late autumn in Sardinia then summer start in Costa Rica.
After the pandemic i anticipated my retirement, sold all businesses and properties and start again to concentrate on my farm in Sardinia and spend more time with my elderly parents in Zurich.
Chris
Sardinia306Canyon
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Wow, Ameritool Customer Service surprised me as i got their answer today on my inbox
Stamped on the gas spring from 2010 is
Ameritool MGF# 315\668\2172
GW 10-0191/30
All Ameritool gas springs should have the part number written on it, on older models the number may have changed but Ameritool will answer quick and tell the new part number.
Chris
This is the gas spring for the sink and the live well lid on the 3067 Canyon (and probably also the 306 Bimini)
Stamped on the gas spring from 2010 is
Ameritool MGF# 315\668\2172
GW 10-0191/30
All Ameritool gas springs should have the part number written on it, on older models the number may have changed but Ameritool will answer quick and tell the new part number.
Chris
That's good to hear. It's been years since I've had a need to contact them, but I recall them being very helpful in the past. Good to see they still are!
FYI for those of you referencing this thread, you can also find the right lengths/strengths in a TalorMade shock BUT... They have plastic ends that can break and don't last as long as the all-SS Ameritool shocks