outdrive trimming down too far

Z

zerbitated

Recruit
Joined
Jul 26, 2012
Messages
2
i was backing out of the launch the other day and going about 1-2mph (real slow) the outdrive hit a sandbar. the outdrive was pulled down from the trim limiting position to all the way down position. Now the outdrive goes all the way down until the hydralics bottom out and makes an odd sound.

Is there a way to limit how far the drive goes down?

engine:
3.0LX mercruiser
outdrive:
alpha gen 2
 
Don S

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
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Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: outdrive trimming down too far

Is there a way to limit how far the drive goes down?
Click to expand...

No, only trim up limit. Were you in the habit of going only by what the gauge says?
 
Z

zerbitated

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Joined
Jul 26, 2012
Messages
2
Re: outdrive trimming down too far

Don S said:
No, only trim up limit. Were you in the habit of going only by what the gauge says?
Click to expand...

yeah i usually use the gauge and the sound of the full down position. After i backed into the sandbar the sound from when the drive reaches the full down position changed tone, so i thought i damaged something. the gauge still works so now i use the gauge to tell me before the outdrive reachs full down position.
 
D

dingdongs

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 29, 2009
Messages
649
Re: outdrive trimming down too far

check prop for damage as this will give you bad vibrations and cavitation if chipped.then remove prop and check you have not bent the shaft.you may need a dial gauge for this one.most people have a routine of, if you know your close to the bottom is lift drive until prop is just in water and drive slow.a depth sounder is a good investment if your not in clear water and a lot cheaper than striking the bottom.
 
DaveG55

DaveG55

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 17, 2012
Messages
144
Re: outdrive trimming down too far

I have always understood full down/in to be the lowest limit of the hydraulic arms. The point where the pump sound changes indicating no further ram movement. If yours is making a different sound at the lowest point then perhaps you have damaged the seals or ??? In one or both rams . The upper trim limit is set by extending the rams a predetermined length and adjusting the limit switch to that. The trim gauge should only be used as a reference and not an accurate guide.
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Messages
71,492
Re: outdrive trimming down too far

DaveG55 said:
I have always understood full down/in to be the lowest limit of the hydraulic arms. The point where the pump sound changes indicating no further ram movement. If yours is making a different sound at the lowest point then perhaps you have damaged the seals or ??? In one or both rams . The upper trim limit is set by extending the rams a predetermined length and adjusting the limit switch to that. The trim gauge should only be used as a reference and not an accurate guide.
Click to expand...

Ayuh,..... I don't think there's any damage,....

I think zerbitated has been lookin' at the gauge, 'n don't run it Full down, as he should have recognized the noise...

The trim Gauge is 'bout the most Useless gauge on a boat....
 
DaveG55

DaveG55

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 17, 2012
Messages
144
Re: outdrive trimming down too far

I only suggested there may be seal damage because it sounded to me like he said the full down pump sound was different. I took that to mean that it is different than before. And, if that's so, then I do think there may be some kind of damage. But if he went by the guage and never went fully down then probably not...
 
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