Re: 48 special Johnson_ tilt trim
If this shock is a hydrolic cylinder OMC tilt and trim system type it should have a bleeder valve on it somewhere. It may have gotten air in it or the fluid isn't going where it needs to go. Even tho it moves up and down when you take the cable off. Look for some type of bleeder valve. There is a section in our Johnson manual that tells how to check it that might help you even if yours isn't exactly like the book you might get some ideas. Our book is a Selock Johnson/Evinrude Repair manual which we ordered from iboats and it is very good. We also found them at O'Reileys automotive if you don't want to wait. As for the lousy boat shop, we have found very nice mechanics around the lake near the marinas that have parts cheaper than in our own town by half the price. I would take them to small claims court if I didn't get satisfaction any other way or chock it up to bad experience. In our book, it says trailering the boat with the trim up and unsupported can cause a lock up and to relieve the lockup loosen one trim cylinder end cap a quarter of a turn with a socket type spanner wrench, then operate the unit down then up slightly and that bleeds the air out of them and reposition the fluid, tighten the end cap back. Don't know if this is your type but maybe this will help. You may have to do this procedure several times to bleed it completely. Make sure to check for all bent rods around your tilt and trim area, because that may be what's hanging it up and they don't have to be very bent to do so. Good luck, keep us posted!!
