1996 Mariner 115 tilt/trim questions.

[big_b16]

Through the process of determining why my tilt/trim gauge wasn't working (several steps from gauge back to motor) I realized the pivot shaft that connects the engine to the hydraulic arm was walking itself to the port side, thus not making contact with the tilt/trim sending unit. I found that there was a hole in the connecting arm mount and a corresponding hole in the pivot shaft, my question is what should be holding the two in place...a cotter pin or a compression sleeve? I put a cotter pin in for the time being so it didn't move anymore, but if it is a compression sleeve, I'll order one. As usual the mercuryparts express site is still inop so my easy answer is not available.

Another question to those who've ever replaced one of the sending units is whether or not there is a rubber grommet or other type of seal there to prevent water from getting into the resistor in the sending unit (between sending unit and engine mount). I see a small edge where some type of seal may usually be but I didn't have one to begin with when I started troubleshooting. When pushing the pivot shaft out, some thread-like material was also pushed out. Is that part of a liner on the engine side that the shaft slides through, for friction mitigation when the shaft rotates? Thanks for all the help. I'm sure one of you guys has seen this before if you've added or replaced a tilt/trim motor.

 

[The_Kid]

Re: 1996 Mariner 115 tilt/trim questions.

On the parts diagram for my 95 mariner 115 it calls the retaining pin a trilobe, which is nothing more than a fancy cotter pin. Works just opposite of a pop rivet. You insert the pin and then tap a center pin in and that spreads three fingers on the back side. Save your money and just use a cotter pin that is the same diameter at the hole. It doesn't show any kind of liner for the top pivot so it must be migration as it was walking it's self out.

The parts diagram doesn't show the sending unit so I don't know if there is a gasket or not.