Rebuilding Trim Cylinder on Alpha 1 Gen 2

[gabe33366]

So I our 1996 searay 175 (4.3lx alpha 1 gen 2) has been have problems with the trim. It won't go more than about a quarter down unless we speed up slowly, I assume that is the because the water pressure helps push it down.

The mechanic told us that the starboard side trim cylinder has a bent shaft, he wants to sell me a new one for $700. It sounds like bs to me, I haven't hit any rocks in the past year and it does not at all look bent.

Does this sound like a typical problem? What inside the cylinder could be broken or not working properly?

How do I remove the trim cylinder? Will the oil drain out when I disconnect those two stainless steel tubes? Do I need to depressurize the system or something of the sort first? Will I need to buy more oil or can I reuse the old stuff?

 

[Bondo]

Does this sound like a typical problem? What inside the cylinder could be broken or not working properly?

How do I remove the trim cylinder? Will the oil drain out when I disconnect those two stainless steel tubes? Do I need to depressurize the system or something of the sort first? Will I need to buy more oil or can I reuse the old stuff?

Nope,.... not typical at all,.... Bein' a mechanic, I'm goin' with yer mechanic's diagnosis,....

If it's bent, click on the parts link at the top of the page, 'n buy a new aftermarket ram from iboats,....

The price of the parts, would be more than a whole ram,....

or find a used one,....

With the drive Down, the system is unloaded,....
Disconnect the oil lines, yes, oil is lost,....
There should be e-clips under plastic covers holdin' the rams to the drive, 'n gimbel,...
Remove 'em, 'n slide the ram off,...
reassemble, 'n fill with new oil,... run it full travel a few times to purge the air, 'n top off the oil again,...

 

[achris]

Sounds more like a corroded end cap... See that a LOT... Will give exactly the same symptom. No need to remove the ram, trim the drive all the way up and tie it in place, then pull the rear anchor pin out from the port side, about half way. That will allow you to remove the end cap (by unscrewing) and the rod and piston as a single assembly. Take it to a vice (clamp ONLY the end section of the rod (the part the pin goes through), NEVER the rod itself) and remove the bolt holding the piston to the rod. Keep the piston assembly as a single unit and set it aside. remove the end cap from the rod and install and new end cap. Don't bother trying to 'fix' the old one. I've tried a few times, it never lasts. Put a little Loctite 242 on the end of the piston retaining screw and tighten to 17lb-ft.... Reinstall in the ram and assemble reverse of disassemble... Job done... End cap part number is -806191T

Chris......

 

[wahlejim]

And find a new mechanic! Poor diagnosis with an outrageous price for a ram!!

 

[wahlejim]

You canget an SEI ram with hardware kit for under $200

 

[gabe33366]

Took it apart, the shaft was not bent nor was the end cap corroded, although we had to use a hammer to get it loose from the shaft. There was some calcium build up and torn/melted o rings jammed up in the end cap. Cleaned everything out and replaced the o rings and it the trim worked perfectly.

Ended up fixing it for $40.

 

[achris]

Took it apart, the shaft was not bent nor was the end cap corroded, although we had to use a hammer to get it loose from the shaft. There was some calcium build up and torn/melted o rings jammed up in the end cap. Cleaned everything out and replaced the o rings and it the trim worked perfectly.

Ended up fixing it for $40.

That 'calcium build up' IS the corrosion. Buy a new end cap and be ready for the next time it happens... I have 'fixed' a few like you, but they never last.... New cap is the only fix.

Chris........