Bent Tilt Cylinder Ram 1995 Yamaha Pro 60...how hard to fix?

[stogie5150]

I needed to replace the steering tube on my pro 60 due to a corrosion issue, and, not knowing any better, I just removed the tube and let the motor sit. Well, I went to install the new tube, and discovered that the weight of the motor has bent the tilt ram...DOH! <slaps head> Now, I have the means to remove the motor from the boat, and have the tools to remove the assembly...what I DON'T know is how the hydraulic lines remove and how do I bleed the assembly after I change the cylinder, or is the Yamaha system self bleeding? The last trim system I worked on was on a Mercruiser 20 years ago...so I am ignorant on it.

I DO have the Yamaha manual, and it looks straightforward, remove the split ring on the pin at the top, remove the bolt at the bottom, remove the two hydraulic lines, and that's it...or is it?

Some pictures of my utter stupidity and ignorance, in hope that it stops some other shadetree mechanic from doing the same thing...

 

[stogie5150]

Re: Bent Tilt Cylinder Ram 1995 Yamaha Pro 60...how hard to fix?

Update: I talked to a retired Yamaha mechanic, and he informed me that the trim/tilt unit, although Yamaha sells rebuilding parts for it, is not generally rebuildable, and generally they replace the whole unit. That unit costs over 2k new. Anyone had any success rebuliding just the tilt cylinder? In my case that would mean a new ram for the cylinder and replacing the o-rings and such.

I made an expensive mistake. ;-(

And 2000.00 money put into a 13 year old motor does NOT compute.

 

[bill k]

Re: Bent Tilt Cylinder Ram 1995 Yamaha Pro 60...how hard to fix?

You might start looking in the boat salvage yards

Bill

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Bent Tilt Cylinder Ram 1995 Yamaha Pro 60...how hard to fix?

myself, I would change mechanics, no wonder he retiered. the system is self bleeding. change the tilt ram and any orings you disturb and keep running. I rebuild several each year with no issues.
however I do have a bit of training and stayed at a holiday inn once.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Bent Tilt Cylinder Ram 1995 Yamaha Pro 60...how hard to fix?

Rodbolt...
If i'm not mistaken... don't alot of those smaller yamahammers tilt motors pop out the back? I mean... you have to unbolt the clamp bracket and pick the motor up to remove that tilt motor.
The last one i did was last year on a 50hp.... and i had to pull the OB and once the clamp bracket was loose, i was able to swivel the clamp bracket and it came out the back.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Bent Tilt Cylinder Ram 1995 Yamaha Pro 60...how hard to fix?

usually you have to remove, or at least move the stbd bracket a few inches, sometimes with the tilt ram pin removed, if you can lower the ram, the engine will actually tilt higher and allow ram/cap removal with nothing else. however in the above case he is just gonna have to move the stbd bracket over about an inch.

 

[stogie5150]

Re: Bent Tilt Cylinder Ram 1995 Yamaha Pro 60...how hard to fix?

Rodbolt...
If i'm not mistaken... don't alot of those smaller yamahammers tilt motors pop out the back? I mean... you have to unbolt the clamp bracket and pick the motor up to remove that tilt motor.
The last one i did was last year on a 50hp.... and i had to pull the OB and once the clamp bracket was loose, i was able to swivel the clamp bracket and it came out the back.

Thanks fellas. The mechanic that told me that is considered a God by some, hated by others. My Late Father had a falling out with him before he died, I think I know why.
I have done a little work with Hydraulic rams before, I didn't see any reason why I couldn't just replace the ram itself, Yamaha sells the part for goodnessakes...BUT I don't have the spanner to remove the ram so I will have to hire out that bit of work. But I can remove the assembly and take it to someone so I don't have to leave my whole boat in their repair yard...

Two guys told me that the removal was pretty easy. My Yamaha manual says three bolts, and the tilt-ram pin, unplug the electrical wire, and it should pop right out, assuming the motor is held all the way up, supported by a chainfall.

Rodbolt, you spoke of moving the STBD bracket to let it clear, which bracket do you speak of? The motor mount is one piece where it bolts to the boat itself. I do have to remove the bracket-to-boat bolt for the lower tilt ram bolt because it will interfere with removal.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Bent Tilt Cylinder Ram 1995 Yamaha Pro 60...how hard to fix?

usually there are 3 bolts on each side and the stbd transom bracket will have to be moved over a bit. loosen the steering tube nut an inch or so,remove both bracket to hull bolts and move the bracket to the stbd an inch or so. do this after removing the trim motor wiring and the tilt ram pin. the cap tool isnt expensive and the universal one snap on sells will work.

 

[stogie5150]

Re: Bent Tilt Cylinder Ram 1995 Yamaha Pro 60...how hard to fix?

usually there are 3 bolts on each side and the stbd transom bracket will have to be moved over a bit. loosen the steering tube nut an inch or so,remove both bracket to hull bolts and move the bracket to the stbd an inch or so. do this after removing the trim motor wiring and the tilt ram pin. the cap tool isnt expensive and the universal one snap on sells will work.

Yep, I see what you mean. If I remove the steering tube a bit I just re-installed, the bracket will indeed come in two. Got it. The Yamaha manual isn't as clear as it could be, but I guess it is just because its written for professionals and not shadetree types like me... If it warms up a bit I might give it a go.
I saw the spanner, my 'pessimistic mechanic' had it, but after we argued awhile I didn't think it would wise to ask him to use it, although if I take the assembly off and bring it to his house he might relent... ;-)

Thanks Rodbolt, I'll check in if and when I make any progress.

 

[stogie5150]

Re: Bent Tilt Cylinder Ram 1995 Yamaha Pro 60...how hard to fix?

Got it removed, took about an hour with a little help from a cousin of mine....thanks for the help y'all. Just like you said Rodbolt, move that starboard bracket out of the way and it just pops out.

Now I have to figure out how I am going to fix it, have the ram changed, since I don't have the tools, or buy a used whole unit, or what. I found a used whole tilt/trim unit online for 570.00. By the time I pay someone to change just the ram out and labor and all it might be very nearly the same in price.

I dunno just yet.

 

[jl_photo]

Re: Bent Tilt Cylinder Ram 1995 Yamaha Pro 60...how hard to fix?

I have a nice tilt cylinder from a 1996 C40 PLRU. look at the parts diagram and see if you think it will match.

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outboard/parts/home.aspx

outboard

1996 outboard

C40 PLRU.

and/or I can measure the unit for you and we can see if it will fit

 

[stogie5150]

Re: Bent Tilt Cylinder Ram 1995 Yamaha Pro 60...how hard to fix?

UPDATE:

Got it fixed...I actually found a machine shop that has lots of marine experience that straightened the one I have, chucked it up in a lathe and showed me the run-out after he was done, less than .003 inch. He said that was the softest hydraulic ram he's ever seen. My mechanic said that the ram would not come off the piston, he said the nut at the end of the shaft was pinned in place with a press-fit pin.

He also admonished me to stop using Wal-Mart oil and cheap gas with no Ring Free in it...but that's another story...

But its done, thanks all for the info, once again this site rocks!