End play in tilt mechanism

[TwoFish]

I have a 1998 75 hp Force with a single ram tilt. I was checking something at the back of the boat and grabbed the skeg to help get up and it made a click sound. To cut a long story short I traced it to the pin in the top of the tilt ram that connects it to the motor. It looks OK. No corrosion or cracks in the castings that I can see. I noticed the motor would move forward and back if pressure was applied. Measured at the bottom of the skeg it is about ? an inch. Almost all of the play is from movement at the pin. I don?t have much play anywhere else and the ram doesn?t leak down.

I?m thinking that this is normal but thought I?d ask all the same.

Thanks

Dean

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: End play in tilt mechanism

There shouldn't be any real play in that area.It doesn't sound like it's a lot.
Keep an eye on it.
If it gets any worse.Then you might need to put bushings on the pin.J

 

[TwoFish]

Re: End play in tilt mechanism

Thanks Jerry,

I just remembered I ran aground in the dark about 6months ago and the motor lifted up under the pressure. One of my crew had just asked me if I knew where I was and I YES. That's when I noticed the water in front of the boat was't as shiny as it should have been!

I might pull the pin and have a good look to make sure nothing is bent or broken. I'll post if there are any problems.

 

[RRitt]

Re: End play in tilt mechanism

yes, make sure to inspect it. if the trilobe retaining pin has fallen out, or if the aluminum is cracking out, then it could lead to disastrous results.

 

[TwoFish]

Re: End play in tilt mechanism

Thanks RRitt,

I'll take the pin out and have a good look around before I use the boat again.

 

[Justinde]

Re: End play in tilt mechanism

Sounds a bit like what mine does- except mines a broken lower engine mount, nowhere near as bad as what is suggested here, so maybe check the lower engine mount?

 

[TwoFish]

Re: End play in tilt mechanism

Just checked the pin and all the brackets and they look fine. No cracks, bends or corrosion on any of the main parts. The pin that fits through the top of the ram still fits fairly snugly. Took some photo but they are a little bit blurry so didn’t bother to post them.

To get the ? inch movement I need to pull the skeg hard in one direction and the push it in the other. Maybe I’m finding a problem where there isn’t one (wouldn’t be the first time). At least I know now that running it aground hasn’t caused any major problems. Better safe than sorry. I’ll keep an eye on it and see how it goes.

Thanks again for your suggestion and help.

Cheers

Dean