How do I get this apart? (1985 50HP ELPT)

[BWR1953]

I want to replace the bushings and spacers on my power trim cylinders. How do I get this done?

I removed the outside bolt and the inside locknut but that's as far as I can go. I thought that I might be able to pry the stud out, but that didn't happen.

How does it work?


The end bolt is removed. The locknut is loose and ready for removal.

 

[Chris1956]

Larger HP motors (80HP and up) use a similar looking PTT cylinder. However, they have steel rods sticking out of the lower part of the triple clamp. The PTT cylinders ride on those rods, with a bolt keeping them from sliding sideways and off the rod.

You must remove the PTT cylinders from the upper brackets to slide them off the rods. Have you tried that?

It looks like that locknut holds a hidden bolt in place. It would not be unusual for that bolt to be threaded into the triple clamp, and still have a locknut, like the steering rod bolt.

 

[BWR1953]

Larger HP motors (80HP and up) use a similar looking PTT cylinder. However, they have steel rods sticking out of the lower part of the triple clamp. The PTT cylinders ride on those rods, with a bolt keeping them from sliding sideways and off the rod.

You must remove the PTT cylinders from the upper brackets to slide them off the rods. Have you tried that?

It looks like that locknut holds a hidden bolt in place. It would not be unusual for that bolt to be threaded into the triple clamp, and still have a locknut, like the steering rod bolt.

Fixed! Thanks, Chris! :eagerness:

The tip you gave about removing the upper bracket bolts did the trick. Once those were out, I tilted the cylinder back and wiggled the lower section and everything just fell loose. Awesome!

One thing I learned. Each side only needs ONE spacer in my application, not two as it shows in my service manual and on every diagram that I found. Ended up having two extra (at $10 each ) but I'll definitely be able to use them on my Chieftain project when the time comes. I just visually checked and the bushings on those twin motors are rotten too.

I'll be posting pix and will also make a video showing the entire process so that if anyone needs to do the same thing, they'll have a source.

Thanks again! :joyous:

 

[BWR1953]

QUESTION: is there a source for torque specs for the trim cylinder bolts? I don't want to "tighten it down till it strips, then back off a quarter" like some folks have done. :lol:

 

[Chris1956]

Trim cylinder bolts are 1/2" thick with nylon locknuts, yes? Tighten them just snug, as they need to pivot.

 

[BWR1953]

Trim cylinder bolts are 1/2" thick with nylon locknuts, yes? Tighten them just snug, as they need to pivot.

Thanks. I found the torque spec for the upper bracket mount bolts; 150 in. lbs., but the lower bolts aren't shown in the manual.

 

[BWR1953]

Here's the video I created to show the repair process.

Thanks again for the help! :joyous:


1985 Mercury Outboard Trim Cylinder Bushing & Spacer Replacement