Re: Tilt assist spring merc 950
Well, it's not gonna be a fun job, that's for sure! Hopefully your motor has only ever been run in nice, clean, fresh Idaho waters. Years ago I picked up an old 80hp Merc Six that had only been on Lake Coeur d'Alene, and everything came apart like it had just been put together at the factory! You don't see much of that out here in the Salty Dog PNW!!!
Take a look at this diagram:
Mercury Marine 950 (6 CYL.) CLAMP AND SWIVEL BRACKET ASSEMBLY Parts
The upper shock mounting bar (piece #37) goes through the big-end of the spring (piece #16).
As I recall, the ends of the shock mounting bar are stepped, to rest against the inner shoulder of each transom bracket. So you can't just pull the shocks and slide the bar out thru the transom brackets.
If you remove either the left or right transom bracket, you should be able to slide the other side over far enough to slip the spring on, with that side of the shock bar still attached. Don't forget the 2 thick rubber spacers (piece #36) which go on either side of the spring.
About the only way to do this job is to take the motor off the boat and lay it on its back.
Then remove the shocks, and start unbolting stuff! It should be pretty evident what has to come apart once the motor is on its back.
If parts seem like they're stuck, don't force it, use heat from a propane or Mapp torch to help loosen them.
Note that I would be very reluctant to do this job if it were a Salty Dog, you could spend countless hours Heating & Beating to get it apart (if ever!).
BTW the spring doesn't assist with tilting, it actually pulls the motor down. This keeps tension on the motor when it's in the tilted position, so it doesn't bounce so much when being trailered on the tilt lock. If you were to install the factory power trim n' tilt on this motor, you wouldn't even need the spring.
As I recall, the spring's small end clips into a roll-pinned-area on the inside of the swivel bracket (yoke) assembly. It's got a bit of tension!
Be sure to spread a thin coating of waterproof grease on all the fittings, brackets, etc where they slide/bolt/assemble together. This will keep them from ever seizing to each other and you'll have no trouble taking it apart again if need be.
HTH..........ed
can't wait to get it in the water....