Trim Cylinder Spacer Kit Prep

[gjcombs]

All,

I need to install trim cylinder spacers in the rams of my Alpha I to avoid it hitting my swim platform when raised up and have questions:

1. Will one set of spacers be sufficient or do I need to order more to stack spacers in the cylinder?

2. Do I need any special wrenches? I saw a mention of a spanner wrench, but can I get by with common tools? If so, what do you recommend?

3. Will I lose fluid when adding the spacers? If so, how should I replace the fluid? Do I need to do something to release any air captured?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Move the swim platform if possible first.For the GEN II rams a spanner wrench is useful. Some pics would be helpful because not seeing what you have makes it difficult. Is it possible to notch the swim platform,Or can you just stop raising it before it hits.If you do install stops will it be high enough to trailer ?

 

[Bt Doctur]

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Techbk/97/97hs6.pdf

 

[gjcombs]

Move the swim platform if possible first.For the GEN II rams a spanner wrench is useful. Some pics would be helpful because not seeing what you have makes it difficult. Is it possible to notch the swim platform,Or can you just stop raising it before it hits.If you do install stops will it be high enough to trailer ?

-I can't move the platform.
-This is a GEN II drive.
-I can't notch the platform.
-I can stop it before it hits, but would rather let the spacer tell me when it's high enough.
-The drive will be high enough.

Any response or further detail to my questions?

 

[Bt Doctur]

the cylinder needs to be disassembled to install the spacers so you lose that oil. system is self-bleeding. make sure the res stays full and just cycle the cylinders once or twice

 

[gjcombs]

Thanks. How are the spacers installed to achieve the desired height/length of the ram? Do they clamp on?

It does not seem right to just place them in and hope they are at the right height...

 

[gjcombs]

Thanks. How are the spacers installed to achieve the desired height/length of the ram? Do they clamp on?

It does not seem right to just place them in and hope they are at the right height...

Anyone have experience with this? I need to know if I have to buy one set of spacers or more... Thanks.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Ya gotta pretty much completely disassemble the cylinder, 'n slide the spacers onto the rods, from the inner end,...

They stop the cylinders because the piston deadheads against the solid mass against the gland cap,....

Donno how long the spacers are, but ya need the amount to stop the cylinders however many inches short of full extension now,....
probably an inch or two, maybe three or four, donno,....
Measure how much ya want, vs. what it'll go now, times two cylinders,...

Unless yer kinda Handy, 'n got alota toys,... errr, tools in the garage, it's possible to get into Trouble rebuildin' hydraulic rams,......

 

[gjcombs]

Ayuh,.... Ya gotta pretty much completely disassemble the cylinder, 'n slide the spacers onto the rods, from the inner end,...

They stop the cylinders because the piston deadheads against the solid mass against the gland cap,....

Donno how long the spacers are, but ya need the amount to stop the cylinders however many inches short of full extension now,....
probably an inch or two, maybe three or four, donno,....
Measure how much ya want, vs. what it'll go now, times two cylinders,...

Unless yer kinda Handy, 'n got alota toys,... errr, tools in the garage, it's possible to get into Trouble rebuildin' hydraulic rams,......

Thanks! Quicksilver spacers sold are 1/2". Do I need to stack four of them to make 2"? How does the spacer make space?

 

[Bt Doctur]

see post 3, gen ii cylinders. spacers go between 17 and 18

 

[UncleWillie]

Thanks! Quicksilver spacers sold are 1/2". Do I need to stack four of them to make 2"? How does the spacer make space?

If you do no already know the length you need to shorten them...
Raise the drive until it just touches the swim platform, then measure the distance from Center to Center of the Cylinder Hinge Pins.
Alpha1,G2 Cylinders are 25-3/4" Center to Center, fully extended. Subtract the length you need and round UP to the nearest 1/2 inch.
If you need 1-3/4 shorter, call it 2" inches. Then you will need 4 spacers in each cylinder. 4 Pairs, 8 Total.

The spacers take up the space internally in the cylinders and prevent the cylinders from extending by interfering with the stroke length if the pistons. You do not need to disassemble the cylinders. The spacers slide on from the side.
Open the Aft end of the cylinders. Pull out the Pistons 2 inches. Slide on the Spacers. Close it up.
Run it Full Up and Down 3-4 times to purge the Air, and check the Trim Pump Reservoir for Oil level.
There is nothing sophisticated about the method, It is a lot like sticking your foot in the door to prevent it from closing.
If you are handy, some people have reported making custom lengths from PVC Pipe and splitting one side to slide over the Piston Rods.

 

[Fun Times]

If you do no already know the length you need to shorten them...
Raise the drive until it just touches the swim platform, then measure the distance from Center to Center of the Cylinder Hinge Pins.
Alpha1,G2 Cylinders are 25-3/4" Center to Center, fully extended. Subtract the length you need and round UP to the nearest 1/2 inch.
If you need 1-3/4 shorter, call it 2" inches. Then you will need 4 spacers in each cylinder. 4 Pairs, 8 Total.

The spacers take up the space internally in the cylinders and prevent the cylinders from extending by interfering with the stroke length if the pistons. You do not need to disassemble the cylinders. The spacers slide on from the side.
Open the Aft end of the cylinders. Pull out the Pistons 2 inches. Slide on the Spacers. Close it up.
Run it Full Up and Down 3-4 times to purge the Air, and check the Trim Pump Reservoir for Oil level.
There is nothing sophisticated about the method, It is a lot like sticking your foot in the door to prevent it from closing.
If you are handy, some people have reported making custom lengths from PVC Pipe and splitting one side to slide over the Piston Rods.

^ Perfectly said.:thumb:

The trim spacers are often installed by dealers or manufactures to avoid hitting the swim steps that are more common than not nowadays. And they've made it as easy as possible to install them. Be sure to have the drive in the up position and then support it from falling down when you start removing the hardware. Also there should be instructions that come in the kit. http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro....l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.TRS0&_nkw=15768A3&_sacat=0

The Merc spanner tool (91-821709) is too expensive to buy but you should be able to buy something similar locally or make something yourself such as this guy did, http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=331339&postcount=6

As for the size of the spacers, though it's not for your alpha drive here's an example of the difference one spacer should make.

NOTE: When installing an Bravo X / XR / XZ drive unit, the trim cylinders must have the 15768A3 Tilt Limit Spacer Kit installed in the trim cylinder to prevent U-Joint damage when the unit is in a full up position. To identify if the cylinder already has the spacer kit installed extend the cylinder to full trailer position. With the spacer installed, the cylinder should only extend to 26 7/16 in. (671 mm). Without the spacer, the cylinder will extend to 27 1/16 in. (687 mm).