1989 US Force 90 hp Tilt/Trim Hydraulic Leak

[Fallibleshrimp]

Hey all. My roommate has an 89' Thunder Craft with a US Force 90 HP motor on it. The Tilt/Trim hydraulic system is leaking. The assembly has 2 hydraulic pistons, connected to a horizontal bolt. The leak is coming from the line going right behind said bolt fascia. Was curious, do we just take that bolt off, and the whole piece comes off? Can anyone give some advice on how to remove it without removing the entire motor? Thanks!

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 1989 US Force 90 hp Tilt/Trim Hydraulic Leak

The system had a center piston with a pentagonal cap and five bolts. This is the trim cylinder It is integral with the whole support assembly. Looking from the rear, the long cylinder on the left is a shock absorber and the long cylinder on the right is the tilt cylinder. The whole assembly is held between the two engine transom clamps by a long bolt with a nut on each end. The hydraulic line for the trim cylinder goes behind the support and enters the rear of the trim cylinder.


NOW: On engines this old. very frequently the whole trim/tilt assembly is corroded and it may be almost impossible to remove the mounting bar. It will be easier to actually remove the engine from the transom. You can try removing one nut and driving the bar out but as I said, don't get your hopes up.

It is also very likely that the trim cylinder is corroded at the fitting and you may not be able to stop the leak. You won't know until you actually see it.

Used tilt/trim systems go for about 300-400 on ebay.