How to make the two arms even?

[babikov]

I removed the outdrive in the fall and stored it separately till spring, to finish some repairs (gimbal bearing remove/install). Now when I am putting it back I see that one of the arms is considerably longer (see image):



The difference is three inches or so, quite significant. Not sure how this happened. What is a safe way of making them equal? I inserted the shaft into one of them. Should I lower them all way down? Or all way up? Please, suggest.
Thanks!

 

[tpenfield]

you had a 50/50 chance and chose the wrong side (ram). The better method is to secure the 'pin' on the ram that is more extended and then let the weight of the outdrive do the work in bringing the rams into alignment.

Be sure to have the grommets and washers ready for the other side as the attached ram retracts.

 

[babikov]

Thanks Ted, I will redo it!

 

[Scott06]

I had the same after having my drive off i think i connected the drive the one farther out and worked the trim in and out they eventually caught back up with each other

 

[achris]

Like electrics, hydraulics will work to the path of least resistance. The ram that moves has the least internal resistance, so it will move until it reaches end of travel, then it's resistance will be highest, and the other ram will move. If you want to even them up, just create more resistance in the one that's moving (increase the load on it).... It really isn't rocket science.

Chris......