Bravo 3 trim cylinder leak

[Chappydoc]

Well, happy to report the job is done and not leaking. Easy fix and I didn't need the special tool. :joyous:

Hello,

My Bravo 3 has a hydraulic ram that has finally gone from a very slow leak to complete failure, resulting in the outdrive just dropping down since I parked it yesterday evening.
It knew it had a slow leak, and I brought it to the attention of my shop owner, but we thought it could make it through the season, till I could get it addressed when I take back to them for winterization. The reservoir was full yesterday; I didn't check today.
If they can't get to it, I might give some thought to DIY; I still have about a month or so of good boating season left.
Has anyone replaced this little jewel on the Bravo 3?
I guess my concern would be the proper purging of any air in the lines as one would do with automotive brakes???
Are there any videos available??

Thanks in advance!

 

[tpenfield]

I replace the trim cylinders on my Bravo 1 (does that count ? )

Purging the air usually takes about 10 'full up and full down' movements of the outdrive. Have plenty of trim fluid on hand.

 

[Scott Danforth]

just buy a seal kit and re-seal your current cylinder

 

[San_Diego_SeaRay]

just buy a seal kit and re-seal your current cylinder

My recommendation as well. I've done it, it's not that hard. The trick is unscrewing the "caps" at the end of the trim cylinders. If I recall how I did mine, I believe I just ended up using channel locks with a rag between the locks and the caps so as not to ruin the aluminum.

Go to YouTube and type in "Mercruiser trim cylinder rebuild".

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I believe that Alpha Gen One and Bravo trim cylinders are all the same (except there are Left and Right cylinders). It's the Alpha Gen 2s that are different and not interchangeable w. Bravo. Pre-1982 or so Alpha Gen Ones are also not interchangeable with Bravo cylinders.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Buy a cylinder pin spanner

 

[tank1949]

My recommendation as well. I've done it, it's not that hard. The trick is unscrewing the "caps" at the end of the trim cylinders. If I recall how I did mine, I believe I just ended up using channel locks with a rag between the locks and the caps so as not to ruin the aluminum.

Go to YouTube and type in "Mercruiser trim cylinder rebuild".

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I believe that Alpha Gen One and Bravo trim cylinders are all the same (except there are Left and Right cylinders). It's the Alpha Gen 2s that are different and not interchangeable w. Bravo. Pre-1982 or so Alpha Gen Ones are also not interchangeable with Bravo cylinders.

I had to build a special spanner. Or pay MC a > hundred bucks??