replacement gas struts for a lifetime shed

kokolino23

Hello,

We bought a lifetime shed from Costco and the gas struts have failed on both sides, they just don't stay in place anymore. The original part is clumsy as the end ball sockets are made of plastic and they have a metal clip in place to keep them attached to the ball joints.

I'm tempted to buy replacement ones with a metal ball socket but I can't figure out the size. According to this

https://amzn.eu/d/0eiSvVJk

I should measure them centre-to-centre of the end fittings when fully extended and ours seems to be 435mm but I can't find the same size. I don't know if 450mm will be too big?!

Another issue is the size of the metal ball joint fixed already to the shed. How on earth i can measure them?! I think they might be 10mm but if I'm wrong, the replacement struts won't fit.

Thanks a lot

kokolino23

Oops, I've forgotten to mention the force as well.

According to our Google friend, gas strut with a 47-pound (47#) force rating provides roughly 209 Newtons of extension force.

FreeBear

If you are buying ball end gas struts, they usually come with the ball attached. Although worth checking with your supplier before purchasing.

chrisw

Do you know anyone with a set of callipers to measure the ball diameter? Measure between the ball joints on the shed with the lid open to see if 450 are too long.

BikingBud

If they are fully extended when the lid is open then you know the length, if they remain slightly compressed then you might have 10% shorter.

I would see if you can get some slightly longer than the distance between the 2 balls when the lid is open, with balls attached.

If they are slightly out then you could re-drill holes to accommodate as required.

Boohoo

@kokolino23 why have you 2 threads going about the same issue.

Apologies if there are different issues.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6680152/costco-lifetime-shed/p1

kokolino23

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82107707#Comment_82107707

The other one was posted on the consumer rights, I thought it's worth asking on DYI as well. Thanks

silvercar

ironic that a lifetime branded product doesn’t last a lifetime!

4DZ

hi.

Did you ever find a suitable replacement part for this? Both of mine have broken already as well!

Thanks

kokolino23

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82120821#Comment_82120821

Unfortunately not. Costco customer services are absolutely useless !!! There is no answer when we ring them and we can leave a message. They initially rang me back and sent me an email, I sent them pictures with the broken struts and after that they didn't reply anymore!!! I rang them again and left a message but nobody rang us back, most probably they have our details on their end. I went to the local Costco warehouse and they said to return the shed back to them in the original package and they will refund us. We don't have the package anymore, who thought this will brake at some point?! Very frustrating to say the least.

FreeBear

I recently needed to look for a gas strut myself. Came across Struts Depot who appear to stock struts for just about any application. Although I haven't purchased one yet, they were very helpful and quick in answering a couple of questions.