Install new tilt & trim sensors

[nemo2011]

Hello!
I am thinking of replacing my non functional tilt and trim with new ones is this much of a job? I have the Alpha one mercruiser drive and have it off the boat doing some other work on it.
If anyone has any info would be appreciated.

 

[achris]

Re: Install new tilt & trim sensors

All the info you need is in the manual. It's a pain to do, but not complicated. I have bent a couple of spanners (wrenches for the people you live on the wrong side of the pacific) to make the job easier. Other than that, just make sure the 2 half grommets seal properly... Have fun.

Chris.......

 

[Don S]

Re: Install new tilt & trim sensors

Here is the instruction sheets that come with the senders, it will explain what you have to do to replace them.
http://www.4shared.com/document/ZGUF243m/Trim_limit_n_switch_install_in.html

 

[nikon]

Re: Install new tilt & trim sensors

I did mine a few years ago, don't really remember doing it so it couldn't have been that difficult...don't remember needing any special tools either, just take your time with it.

 

[nemo2011]

Re: Install new tilt & trim sensors

thanks for the comeback all!going to do more investigating and reading. I did look through the manual but I guess i missed the part on replacing sensors!!

 

[dccordell]

Re: Install new tilt & trim sensors

Trickiest part of that job seemed to be getting the little bracket off that holds the two halves of the wire grommet together and seals the hole. Particularly, the two bolts on that bracket... oh those were misery! I thought about bending a wrench to fit them better but I managed.. would have definitely been easier though. There is a diagram in the manual that shows where you should route the wires so they don't get pinched or stretched.

Most veterans say the sensors are unnecessary. Probably so, but I think to the inexperienced boater they are probably a good idea, at least until you get the feel for the boat and the position of the drive. That's why I replaced mine...

 

[nemo2011]

Re: Install new tilt & trim sensors

Trickiest part of that job seemed to be getting the little bracket off that holds the two halves of the wire grommet together and seals the hole. Particularly, the two bolts on that bracket... oh those were misery! I thought about bending a wrench to fit them better but I managed.. would have definitely been easier though. There is a diagram in the manual that shows where you should route the wires so they don't get pinched or stretched.

Most veterans say the sensors are unnecessary. Probably so, but I think to the inexperienced boater they are probably a good idea, at least until you get the feel for the boat and the position of the drive. That's why I replaced mine...

Wich drive unit do you have? As far as I can tell tere is only one bolt holding the split gromet in place?
Did you not have to remove the gimbal ring and bellows?

 

[dccordell]

Re: Install new tilt & trim sensors

As far as I know, you are correct... the Alphas only have one bolt holding that bracket in place, so it may be a little easier. I have an older pre-alpha that has two bolts.

Yep, the bellows and bell housing had to come out.. I had them out anyways, so it was a perfect opportunity to replace the sensors.

The gimbal ring didn't have to come out. The bell housing fits inside the gimbal ring. Bell housing tilts up and down, and the gimbal ring steers left to right, if that helps any.

Maybe some others can check the terminology I've used. It can be confusing... The instructions should be in the manual, maybe dig a little deeper. It also shows how to adjust the sensors. Like Don said, the sensors comes with pretty good instructions too.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Install new tilt & trim sensors

The bell housing fits inside the gimbal ring. Gimbal ring tilts up and down, and the bell housing steers left to right, if that helps any.

Just the opposite: Bell housing up and down, gimbal ring right to left.

If you have the older style of sensors, you may be able to disassemble them and clean them up. The trim limit is just a couple of contacts, and the sensor (old style) is a wire wound resistor. Might work. If you decide to replace, should plan on doing bellows at same time.

 

[dccordell]

Re: Install new tilt & trim sensors

Just the opposite: Bell housing up and down, gimbal ring right to left.

Ah yep now that I think about it, I got it backasswards! nemo should be good and confused now, think I'll edit that post! Thanks for catchin that stony...

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Install new tilt & trim sensors

LOL I do it all the time too. Must be the mental stress caused by owning a 470

 

[nemo2011]

Re: Install new tilt & trim sensors

Just the opposite: Bell housing up and down, gimbal ring right to left.

If you have the older style of sensors, you may be able to disassemble them and clean them up. The trim limit is just a couple of contacts, and the sensor (old style) is a wire wound resistor. Might work. If you decide to replace, should plan on doing bellows at same time.

I have cleaned up both, the trim sensor is still ok but the other is completly shot.(little windings are corroded away)

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Install new tilt & trim sensors

I have cleaned up both, the trim sensor is still ok but the other is completly shot.(little windings are corroded away)

No offense, just to get the terminology right. the one with the wire wound variable resistor on the starboard side is the trim position sender (same thing happened to mine), and switch on the port side is the trim limit switch.

 

[achris]

Re: Install new tilt & trim sensors

Trickiest part of that job seemed to be getting the little bracket off that holds the two halves of the wire grommet together and seals the hole. Particularly, the two bolts on that bracket... oh those were misery! I thought about bending a wrench to fit them better but I managed.. would have definitely been easier though.

That's the special tool I was refering to. As a professional mechanic I was doing the job so often it was worth the cost of a spanner and some hot air (oxy torch) to bend up the spanner to work. Makes the job easy and quick.

Chris.