Installing trim sender and limit switches

[AaronG]

Boat has a 1996 5.7LX with Alpha 1 Gen 2<br /><br />At the end of last summer, my trim guage stopped working and pegged itself at full up. The drive still goes up and down fine, so I assume the limit switch still works okay. After I winterized the boat, I removed the drive (to prevent theft). Before I reinstall it, I want to replace the trim senders. I have them, and I have the Mercruiser manual. It doesn't look like all that hard of a job, but I see that I must undo the U-Joint bellows and remove the bell housing. The bellows on my boat are not new, but they are in excellent shape. They don't show any signs of damage or dry rot. The gimble bearing was also silent last year, as were the u-joints. The unit also shifted perfectly, so I think the shift cable is in good shape too. <br /><br />Should I replace all that stuff since I'll be in there, or should I just undo the u-joint bellows and then re-install it to do the senders? <br /><br />What special tools do I need for this job. I'm going to order them this week. I already have an alignment bar. From the manual, it looks like I need a spreader for the bellows, and a hinge tool for the bellhousing. <br /><br />Anything to watch out for?

 

[tommays]

Re: Installing trim sender and limit switches

<br /><br />Are you rubber parts and shift cable orginal if they are its time to do it all Water Hose also<br /><br />Just a 1/2 allen wrench for the pins i made the puller and driver in the photo from scraps for the bellows<br /><br />You may need the exaust bellows tool and i would change the shift shaft seals also which can be pullled in and out with a RODBOLT tool 1/4 threaded rod and washers<br /><br />

<br /><br /><br />The most inportant tool is the Patience wrench you will really need it and if you use it the job will go well if you dont pay somebody <br /><br />tommays

 

[Don S]

Re: Installing trim sender and limit switches

IF the bellows is over 5 years old, I would replace it. Only because if it goes bad while you are using it, you could loose the gimbal bearing, ujoints, get water in the drive and possibly damage the drive. I wouldn't change the shift cable because it works. The shift cable bellows if it were to leak would only allow a little water to get into the boat, but wouldn't actually damage anything like the ujoint bellows.<br />That spreader is for the exhaust bellows and makes the job possible. The hinge pin tool can be replaced by a 1/2" allen wrench cut off and put in a 1/2" socket so you can retorque the pin.

 

[AaronG]

Re: Installing trim sender and limit switches

the whole unit has 150 hours on it. 80 of which I put on last year. I had the drive resealed and had the water pump done last spring before it went into the water. <br /><br />My guess is that the bellows are origional, but they just look brand new. No barnicle growth or wear. I was planning on doing them this spring, but when I took the drive off, the mechanic at the marina said the everything in there looked perfect and it would be a waste to replace anything now. At the time, I didn't realize I had to take the U-Joint bellows off to do the senders. Is that the only bellows that needs to come off for the senders? If it is, I'm inclined to just re-use it and do all the bellows, the gimble bearing, and the water hose and the shift cable next year. The fellow at the marina said to replace everything when your in there. If more than theu-joint bellows needs to be removed, I'll definately do everything now.

 

[AaronG]

Re: Installing trim sender and limit switches

Also, The boat is a 1997, but I suspect it didn't see service until 2000 or 2001. This was the second season it was used. The first owner used it for one season, and then put it up for sale. It sat at a boatyard in central PA for sale for 3-4 years and then I bought it. Unfortately, all the upholstry needed to be re-done from it sitting outside. Maybe the upholstry is an indicator of the bellows. I'll have to take a closer look. <br /><br />It was totally trouble free last year. I'd like this year to be the same

 

[AaronG]

Re: Installing trim sender and limit switches

Tommys: I like that you included the first aid kit in the pic. I guess that means there are some sharp edges! <br /><br />Don: Are you saying the only other tool I'll need is the spreader? I don't mind sacrificing an allen key<br /><br />Thanks for the input.