Hydraulic rams.

BinLurkin

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 12, 2004
Messages
192
What damage is done, if any, when you try to lower the stern drive but forget to free it up from the support rod I use when trailering? I ran it long enough to lower it. Of course it never went down. I never used a support before so I forgot it was there.
 

outboardguy

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jan 16, 2004
Messages
262
Re: Hydraulic rams.

I don't believe that any damage should have occurred. The trim pump has valves in it to control the amount of hydraulic pressure it can exert, and when it exceeds these pressures it just bypasses the rams and circulates in the reservoir. The only possible damage is overheating the motor. :)
 

BinLurkin

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 12, 2004
Messages
192
Re: Hydraulic rams.

I was hoping someone would say something like that. But,I just got this boat back from the shop where they put in a new bellows, it was leaking like crazy. So of course the u-joints & gimbal bearing were shot too. However on our first voyage last Saturday I was quite rudely made aware of the fact that if I turn my steering wheel more than 1/4 turn either way from straight ahead there's a loud bang, bang, bang, coming from the lower unnit. Sounds like one of the yokes that hold the u-joints is coming around & hitting something. How can this be? What could those turkeys have done to cause this problem? I am just finishing up the same job on my second boat & I can't imagine what could have gone wrong. I guess I'll just have to pull it myself & take a look. The fellow that did the work said it's u-joints, but they are new, only got 10 minutes on 'em.
 

Bondo

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Apr 17, 2002
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71,088
Re: Hydraulic rams.

What could those turkeys have done to cause this problem?
No Idea.......<br />But, You really Should let Them have a Chance to get it Right........
 

BinLurkin

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 12, 2004
Messages
192
Re: Hydraulic rams.

Yeah but, having just done the same job myself on a 1979 unit as oposed to a 1978 what's the difference? I don't see how you could screw that job up? What could go wrong?
 

Bondo

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Re: Hydraulic rams.

I don't see how you could screw that job up? What could go wrong?
I Agree, But,<br />Have you ever heard of a fella named "Murphy",+ His Law :D ????? :D
 

BinLurkin

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 12, 2004
Messages
192
Re: Hydraulic rams.

Yes, I see, said the blind man. That's one of my sayings too. I'll pull it out myself this time now that I know how, & let you know the results as this has me as well as the mechanic stumped. Another Murphyism here is that the mechanics boat shop is no longer in business. He's an old fart, 66 or so & done went & retired on me. Said mine was the last job he did. I still have contact with him, we go to the fireing range together to shoot the 22's. Thanks, Bin Lurkin'
 

BinLurkin

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 12, 2004
Messages
192
Re: Hydraulic rams.

I know, this should be under another subject, like stern drives or u-joints. But since I can't change the topic & to maintain continuity, it's here. I pulled the drive & wouldn't you know it, the shop forgot to put in the u-joint circlips. At least one anyway. The u-joint bearing cap & one circlip was just laying on the bellows. Who knows where the other circlip went? That bearing cap was the one that was banging on the bearing retainer nut & making all the noise until the other one took over. Plus, it's all wet inside the bellows, just like it used to be. What's with that? Looks like the main gasket didn't seal to me. So now after paying this jackass about $400.oo I now have to get two more u-joints, $50.oo each, another gasket set, & a new short shaft, or yoke, & the center shaft or yoke as well. It's all Banged up & out of center. The short shaft needed replacement anyway as there is a good size groove there where the seal rides. It's a "78" & looks like its never been replaced. So if you ever wonder why we do the work ourselves, here's the reason. One hour's running time on the new work & I'm doing it all over again plus more. So now I get to do the work myself & pay another $300.oo in parts. It's just like auto repair. Pay somebody else to do the work, then come home & fix it again myself. Okay, enough ruminating & pontificating, I feel better now. Am I the only one that has such bad luck?
 

Bondo

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71,088
Re: Hydraulic rams.

Sorry Dude............<br />Ben there, Done that.........
 

Northern Eclipse

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 24, 2003
Messages
665
Re: Hydraulic rams.

Nope the one and only year '1992' I decided to pay a marina to winterize my boat and change oil, and store indoors for the winter, I got it back with a cracked manifold super bad head gasket leak, 2 freeze plugs in the bilge, which I found when I mopped out about 5 litres of used oil and a $450 bill and I got to fix it myself....and this was from a place that had been in business for over 40 years, of course this was the first year the old boy retired and handed off the business to his 2 sons...they folded in 1997.
 

ae708

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 17, 2002
Messages
591
Re: Hydraulic rams.

Old fart.... 66 year old?? Man, I must be in the wrong forum here.
 
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