Is it necessary to remove the drive to replace trim sending unit?

[tarheelebbtide]

I have a 350 Mag/Alpha one and the contacts are stripped out of the internal working of the trim sending unit so I get no trim reading on the dash. I am going to order one, but the manual says step one is to remove the drive. Can it be done without doing this? I realize they say you must do this because the wiring is internally secured in the unit and to route the new wiring, you'd have to have the drive off. For those of you with experience replacing them, is there a workaround?

 

[danond]

Re: Is it necessary to remove the drive to replace trim sending unit?

Removing the drive really isn't a big deal. It's just heavy. $5 gasket and have someone help and you'll be done. It can be done with just one guy, but it's a pain in the butt as the drives are clumsy.

 

[bigbob_FTW]

Re: Is it necessary to remove the drive to replace trim sending unit?

I did mine when I changed my bellows. You'll have to pull the bellhousing to get access.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Is it necessary to remove the drive to replace trim sending unit?

is there a workaround?

Ayuh,.......

Learn to drive by the Seat of your Pants,... Instead of looking at a Gauge.....

 

[tarheelebbtide]

Re: Is it necessary to remove the drive to replace trim sending unit?

Bondo, hehe, been doing it for two years my man! However, now the fiance wants to learn to drive the boat and I'm having a hard time teaching her my method of trimming it all the way down until you feel it bottom out (anyone who has spent much time on a boat can hear the trim motor change tunes when it does), and then working the trim back up as it comes on plane. So, I figured I may as well replace the sending unit. Any recommendations on the best place to pick one up? They have them on mercruiserparts.com for $88. Can't find them here on iboats.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Is it necessary to remove the drive to replace trim sending unit?

However, now the fiance wants to learn to drive the boat and I'm having a hard time teaching her my method of trimming it all the way down until you feel it bottom out (anyone who has spent much time on a boat can hear the trim motor change tunes when it does),

Ayuh,....

For well over $100. bucks in Parts,... 10 Busted Knuckles,+ a Days worth of Labor,....

I'd keep Trying what you're already Doin'........

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Is it necessary to remove the drive to replace trim sending unit?

Ayuh,....

For well over $100. bucks in Parts,... 10 Busted Knuckles,+ a Days worth of Labor,....

I'd keep Trying what you're already Doin'........

Same boat here....
That gauge is a luxury, not a necessity, IMO......
Unless she is deaf, she can 'name that tune' with some instruction.....
If you must fix it, pull the drive......
You need to lube your u joints if it was not done at layup last season anyway....
You will need to learn how to pull the drive anyway at some point.....

 

[Lou C]

Re: Is it necessary to remove the drive to replace trim sending unit?

I've replaced a couple on my OMC Cobra, they never last longer than 2 seasons in salt water (slipped). I timed how long it takes for the drive to go from full down to 1/2 up so I know that if I get into shallow water I count down about 6 seconds and I know I'm 1/2 way up then. As far as trimming, take her out on a really calm day and teach her to pay attention to the bow position as you trim from full down after coming up on plane, you can feel the bow just come up a bit and there you are. I timed this one too, about 3 sec is right.

BTW, my mechanic made a mod on the Cobra, so you don't have to snake the !@#$ thing through the gimble assembly, just a small hole on the side of the transom assembly, so to change the sender, its 2 screws, the wire comes out the side of the transom mount, it goes up the transom like a transducer cable, 10 min job.

 

[tarheelebbtide]

Re: Is it necessary to remove the drive to replace trim sending unit?

For the life of me, I can't understand why she finds it so hard to hear the differences in the whine either. Of course, I should add that the exhaust is above the water line, so you do have that 350 barking in your ear. That might have a little something to do with the tone deafness

 

[tarheelebbtide]

Re: Is it necessary to remove the drive to replace trim sending unit?

Oh and thanks guys for the help with the original question...I'm just going to wait until I remove the drive this winter to change bellows and regrease, etc. Never done it but have downloaded the manual and am studying so hopefully it will go well. I'm determined to not take her to the local yahoo boat mechanics any longer...want to learn to do it myself! All of the locals here are certified thieves. Most people tow their boats 1-2 hours to get them worked on because all of the local shops have such bad reps!

 

[Don S]

Re: Is it necessary to remove the drive to replace trim sending unit?

Here's a link to the instructions for replacing them. If you want to show her what it takes to do the job

http://www.4shared.com/account/file/50378165/cfe8337e/Trim_limit_n_switch_install_instructions.html