Cant get the drive to trim down/in all the way.....

[mohead1]

I have a Wellcraft 210 Classic w the Mercruiser 260 and Alpha One. Ive been struggling trying to get the drive to trim down/in all the way. Ive moved the limit back and forth, and it will limit the UP but I cannot get it to go down fully. Its got oil in it (Oildyne w plastic resv.) and runs ok.....but it lacks about 6 or more inches from going full down (can tell by the paint line on the cylinder rod). Is it the relief valve maybe, or something internal on the cylinders. It will go to trailer position, and trim all the way up depending on the position of the limit switch (I dont have a trim gauge so the other side Im assuming does nothing). I noticed it doesnt come up out of the hole as well lately, so while doing some maint. and greasing the drive I figured a tweak on the limit switch would fix it.....NOPE.....kinda stumped cause the pump seems to run fine.....

 

[achris]

Re: Cant get the drive to trim down/in all the way.....

Get someone (heavy) to stand on the drive as you trim DOWN. If that gets the drive all the way down, then you have corroded end cap(s) on the rams(s)...

Chris........

 

[mohead1]

Re: Cant get the drive to trim down/in all the way.....

I had the drive off for maint. not too long ago....no corrosion on the end caps, however, i did not put any lubricant on the crossshaft or the rubber bushings, i will have to remove the cylinders from the drive and see if they move to the lower position. I have the pivots greased on the gimbal also, so no binding there....

 

[Don S]

Re: Cant get the drive to trim down/in all the way.....

Just disconnect the trim cylinders from the back of the drive and see if they both go all the way in or if one is hanging. You can also see if the drive will lower any further or if something is blocking it from going down,

 

[achris]

Re: Cant get the drive to trim down/in all the way.....

I had the drive off for maint. not too long ago....no corrosion on the end caps, ...

Unless you disassembled them, you can tell.. The caps corrode on the inside and bind up the rod.

Chris........

 

[Don S]

Re: Cant get the drive to trim down/in all the way.....

You aren't going to see that kind of corrosion on a freshwater boat Chris. It was a shock to me to see what a fresh water boat looked like after 20+ years of seeing nothing but salt water boats. They look like new, even with lots of use.

It would be easy enough to check, without taking the cylinder apart. Just remove the lines, and disconnect the trim cylinder from the drive. Then move the rod by hand. It will move hard until the oil is out, then it should move easily full in and full out.

 

[achris]

Re: Cant get the drive to trim down/in all the way.....

You aren't going to see that kind of corrosion on a freshwater boat Chris. It was a shock to me to see what a fresh water boat looked like after 20+ years of seeing nothing but salt water boats. They look like new, even with lots of use.....

That's a 'problem' I have. I have never worked on a boat used in freshwater. ALL our boating is done in the briny. So all the suggestion I make are with that in mind, because I've never had to think about anything other than seawater....

Oh well, you get that....

Chris......
BTW, how do you know it's a freshwater boat????

 

[Don S]

Re: Cant get the drive to trim down/in all the way.....

Chris......
BTW, how do you know it's a freshwater boat????

In the location under is name it says Kingston, Tn. Tennessee is a long way from salt water. several hundred miles.

 

[achris]

Re: Cant get the drive to trim down/in all the way.....

In the location under is name it says Kingston, Tn. Tennessee is a long way from salt water. several hundred miles.

That's about the same as me telling you someone comes from Alice Springs... .

 

[Don S]

Re: Cant get the drive to trim down/in all the way.....

Alice Springs is in the middle of Australia, I would bet they don't get much salt water boating in there either.
Google maps is a wonderful thing

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Cant get the drive to trim down/in all the way.....

The trim rams.They need lube just like any other moving part.
The seals become dry and they sieze on the shaft.
WD-40 or any oil will help.
Spray the seals and extend the rams.
Spray some more and then have someone stand on the drive and lower it.
Do it a couple of times.

 

[mohead1]

Re: Cant get the drive to trim down/in all the way.....

Yall are right....Im a lake boater, however, Im in Florida right now with the boat doing a construction job. I never thought about the ram shafts needing some lube for the seals, I will try that tomorrow. I dont wanna remove the fluid lines but guess i will do what i gotta to get this thing figured out. I appreciate all the insight....learned alot on this board

 

[Don S]

Re: Cant get the drive to trim down/in all the way.....

Before you remove the lines, if you remove the trim cylinders from the back of the drive, will the drive drop down any further? If not, why mess with the lines, it's all the way down. (Unless it's hitting something and not letting it go down all the way)