Stuck Hydraulic Line Connector at Ram (1995 Alpha I trim line)

[HeloMech]

Hey guys,

I have a '95 wellcraft 21' cuddy. On the Alpha I outdrive, I have a leaking hydraulic line. As it's the one at the lower end, closer to the stern of the boat, I'm ASSUMING it's the Port Side, UP line.

My problem is this. Er, my problem(s) are these?

The line which goes through the fitting, is leaking. The connector is SUPER tight into the ram, but there is still slack on the hard line coming out of the connector, allowing it to leak. I'm open to just replacing the line, but I'm unable to get the fitting out of the ram. The PO apparently had an issue with this as the 3/8" fitting is pretty much rounded off at this point. I've tried a regular wrench, flare wrench, large vice grips, etc. With the vice grips, I managed to get the fitting to move, ONCE. Now, it's just stuck. As I'm planning to replace the line, I was considering crimping the hard portion of the line, cutting it flush with the connector on the ram, then seeing what I can grab onto it with.

My next attempt will be maybe a small pipe wrench as those tighten their grip as you apply force to them. Everything else has failed. I just hope this stainless fitting isn't just bringing all of the threads from the ram with it.

Any suggestions on how to get this fitting out so I can replace the line?

Also, will I have to remove that forward zinc to get the other end of the line removed?

Thanks guys...

Robert

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Stuck Hydraulic Line Connector at Ram (1995 Alpha I trim line)

propane torch (plus fire extinguisher and watch the fluid coming out - I'd crack the other line first as well) and vise grips.

if that fails,
Trim Cylinder Port
Code: 9B-116-02
Price: $120.00

 

[Bondo]

Re: Stuck Hydraulic Line Connector at Ram (1995 Alpha I trim line)

propane torch (plus fire extinguisher and watch the fluid coming out - I'd crack the other line first as well) and vise grips.

if that fails,
Trim Cylinder Port
Code: 9B-116-02
Price: $120.00

Ayuh,.... With corroded trim lines, many times it boils down to how much ya gotta Bust up, to Fix it...

Don't be surprised if the manifold end is also a Problem...

Especially if someones been there ahead of ya....

 

[mr-steve-jones]

Re: Stuck Hydraulic Line Connector at Ram (1995 Alpha I trim line)

I've had success welding a nut on the fitting that was stuck. The combination of heat from the mig weld spot (stainless wire) and a fresh larger hex to get a socket on worked a treat and the nipple came out.

 

[HeloMech]

Re: Stuck Hydraulic Line Connector at Ram (1995 Alpha I trim line)

Well I took an "extended lunch" yesterday and hit up a few places. West Marine (would have to order it), Captains Locker (same deal), I ended up at Tilly's in Sunset Beach. Apparently a merc dealer. They had the line and it was quicksilver vs. aftermarket. $40. On the way home, picked up a small pipe wrench. Today I'll get out there and see what happens. I think I'm going to opt for a heat gun rather than the open flame for heating. Hopefully the anode drops off the manifold easy enough...

 

[HeloMech]

Re: Stuck Hydraulic Line Connector at Ram (1995 Alpha I trim line)

ok, update:
New line is installed, no more leak!!

I was able to get the small pipe wrench in there and twist the fitting out of the ram. I soaked up the oil and vacuumed the hole out. New fitting threaded in nicely as I held the line straight. I was able to remove the zinc from the manifold, pulled the other end of the line. Cleaned everything up and put it all back together. The pump is doing it's job with the purging of air in the lines. Still have some water in there as it's not clear yet. I'll clean all of that out this afternoon if I'm lucky enough to get it all out, purged, out, purged, etc. Just glad to have it back together.

Now, to fix the ground wire up to the radio and fishfinder. Then replace the lock on the cuddy door, then add an elbow to the water line for the sink so it's not kinked.

I think when all of that's done, I'm going to take it down to the harbor and drop it in the salt water. Get it down to sea level with this prop and see where I should go from there. Sunset Aquatics has a fresh water rinse point for when you pull the boat back out onto the trailer. Hopefully I can do that this week. Maybe take the boat to work with me, stay down there overnight in billeting, then get up and hit the harbor.