Trim tab anode bolt stripped

[rickryder]

Well I lost the trim anode last time out.....guess the bolt came loose....So I got a new one and while installing it started to thread in fine then got real tight near the end....backed it out and found the threads were all stripped :facepalm:

There must have been some corosion on the bolt mid way that took out the threads...

Now the question is....besides spliting the case in the alpha 1 drive how can I get the bolt out? Why did Merc do that?

Would it hurt anything to drill the hole bigger on the top of the drive so I can pop the bolt out thru the top?

 

[dubs283]

Re: Trim tab anode bolt stripped

besides spliting the case in the alpha 1 drive how can I get the bolt out? Why did Merc do that?

Would it hurt anything to drill the hole bigger on the top of the drive so I can pop the bolt out thru the top?

they did that because you need to split the drive to change the water pump

i guess it wouldn't hurt anything to drill the hole bigger, but its not the right way to do the job

this is a great chance to learn about your drive, pull it off the boat, split it, change the bolt, water pump and base assy, do some transom assy maintenance and have a good year boating

 

[ziggy]

Re: Trim tab anode bolt stripped

besides spliting the case in the alpha 1 drive how can I get the bolt out?

yep, splitting the upper and lower is the right way to access that bolt in question.

Would it hurt anything to drill the hole bigger on the top of the drive so I can pop the bolt out thru the top?

on my last boat, someone prior to me had done just that. drilled that hole bigger, i assume to get the cap bolt out w/o separating the upper and lower. i found no ramifications of that hole being larger. other than i couldn't put the little plastic cap back on cause the hole was to big. not much of a ramification really...

 

[rickryder]

Re: Trim tab anode bolt stripped

they did that because you need to split the drive to change the water pump

i guess it wouldn't hurt anything to drill the hole bigger, but its not the right way to do the job

this is a great chance to learn about your drive, pull it off the boat, split it, change the bolt, water pump and base assy, do some transom assy maintenance and have a good year boating

Dubs.....Thanks for the reply. Just some backround on the boat, I have rebuilt most of this boat from the stringers up....drive was taken apart last season and only logged about 30 hours on it...
It's all in the resto thread below That's why I was looking for a way not to need to pull it all apart again.

Of course I could just leave the tab off since the boat has power steer..... I was just thinking it was a poor design on Mercs part....

 

[rickryder]

Re: Trim tab anode bolt stripped

yep, splitting the upper and lower is the right way to access that bolt in question.on my last boat, someone prior to me had done just that. drilled that hole bigger, i assume to get the cap bolt out w/o separating the upper and lower. i found no ramifications of that hole being larger. other than i couldn't put the little plastic cap back on cause the hole was to big. not much of a ramification really...

Thanks ziggy I could always find a cap that will fit Then again there's no cap on mine now

 

[dubs283]

Re: Trim tab anode bolt stripped

Of course I could just leave the tab off since the boat has power steer

bad idea

the tab is there for anodic protection against corrosion

leave it off and you will be replacing your drive instead of just another $12 anode/trim tab

 

[Bondo]

Re: Trim tab anode bolt stripped

Of course I could just leave the tab off since the boat has power steer..... I was just thinking it was a poor design on Mercs part....

It's a trailer boat ain't it,..?? or a dock boat,..??

It's only a few nuts to loosen, 'n I'd just reuse the quad-ring....

don't really matter on a trailer queen....

Btw,.... Lotsa machinery type stuff has nuts, 'n bolts you can See, or Feel, but can't turn....
s'why I've got so many toolboxes in some many places.... special wrenches for special nuts, 'n bolts...

 

[rickryder]

Re: Trim tab anode bolt stripped

Ya it's a trailer boat and I do have other anodes and a mercathode system too....guess I could drop it down and get the bolt out....

Thanks guys!

 

[1960 Starflite]

Re: Trim tab anode bolt stripped

I need help also ! I tried to remove the bolt that holds the trim/anode tab for replacement of the anode. Well, the allen hex is rounded and a NEW 5/16 allen wrench still slips. Tried a metric wrench (only .010" larger) no luck. I dug out the crap in the hex with a screw driver, hoping to get the wrench deeper. I can't drop the lower unit, because I know there is a bolt under the trim tab that is holding the lower unit, right? Now What ??

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Trim tab anode bolt stripped

Starflite - you really should start a new post... but your only real option is to cut off the anode. Not too hard with a cutoff wheel and chisel.