85ESL73M shock absorbers

[ronward]

Hello again. I have some questions about the shock absorbers on my 85 horse.This is my first motor equipped with these so I don't know how to tell if they're bad or not. The motor is not mounted yet, it's still hanging from a tree. When I try to move the transom bracket up and down it is very hard. I can understand it being hard to push down as that would make sense, cushioning the motor as you lower it. But it seems like it should be easy to raise the bracket as that would be the purpose of the assist. Am I thinking wrong? When mounted on the boat would the motor be easier to lift? Like a leverage thing. Right now I'm trying to push/pull a little bracket on a big motor...would it be different to push/pull the big motor on a little bracket.Or does it sound like the shocks are no good? If they're shot then I'll just have to wrestle the motor up/down since I'm not about to pay $370 for new shocks

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 85ESL73M shock absorbers

If the shocks aren't leaking, they're okay. Seenseless to replace them even if needed though... really not needed.

THe tightness... yes, that's a leverage thing. Quite hard to move the bracket assembly up or down, but lifting the engine or lowering when on the boat is another matter.

If still really (REALLY) hard to lift or lower when on the boat, the cause is usually a tight steering tube (rust/corrosion/extra tight side nuts).

 

[ronward]

Re: 85ESL73M shock absorbers

Thanks for the reply Joe. My first thought was they shouldn't be that stiff but got thinking about the leverage. Glad I didn't just go ahead and cut them off, they may help a little. I have another question but I'll start a new thread.

 

[boobie]

Re: 85ESL73M shock absorbers

Agree with Joe + 1......