Hatch Actuator Adjustment

[Lhs3422]

New to me 1999 370EC. Boat has a port and stbd side actuator. Both seem to be working normally when lifting. When lowering, the stbd side lags behind a little, with Port hitting the bottom about 4" or so before the stbd side. As stbd continues to close, port actuator makes a nasty grinding sound. Is there a trick for adjusting these things? Thanks

 

[sbw1]

Sounds like after 23 years they may be getting to the end of their lives. They are easy to remove and clean up with a little WD40. Worth a try. They are also readily available from various suppliers and relatively inexpensive. . Maybe just replace both of them and be done with it?

 

[Lazy Daze]

There's no real "adjustment" - just cleaning and greasing like mentioned above.

 

[bbwhitejr]

One thing to check is are they timed together. What I mean is....open the hatch and prop it open with a 2x4. Take the weight off of the actuators and remove the pins. Are the shafts extended exactly the same out of the barrels? If yes, you need new ones....if they are not the same lengths, unhook the electrical from one of them and run the other either in or out to match up that distance. Hook the electrical back to both, pin them back to the hatch, and open and close a few times....if this makes a difference, good for you. If not, you are out no more $$ than to replace them.

Bennett

 

[Lhs3422]

Thanks guys! I will service them to the extent I can and report back.